AUSTIN ... triple silver medallist

SEYCHELLES sports history is being written almost everyday by female swimmer Shrone Austin as she has won her third silver medal and a bronze in the aquatics centre in Abuja, Nigeria, the hosts of the ongoing Eighth All-Africa Games.

Austin, who is making her first appearance at the All-Africa Games at 14 years old, turned in another stellar performance in the 1,500-metre freestyle on Friday October 10, the penultimate day of the swimming competition, to win a silver medal.

South Africa-born Austin touched the pad in second position behind South African Velia van Rensburg who clocked a Games record-breaking time of 17 minutes 24.64 seconds.

On Saturday October 11, Austin saw her last chance of winning an elusive gold medal for Seychelles fade away as she settled for third position – a bronze medal – in the 400-metre freestyle.

Austin who, along with fellow swimmer Steven Mangroo, has been selected to participate in the Afro-Asian Games in India from October 24 to November 1, is so far Seychelles' best performer at these Games with three silver medals (1,500-metre freestyle, 800-metre freestyle and 400-metre individual medley) and a bronze (400-metre freestyle).

No other Seychellois athlete had won more than one silver medal at the biggest multi-sports competition on the continent since the country made its debut in 1978 in Algiers, Algeria.

The two medals won by Austin on Friday and Saturday brings to seven the total won by Seychelles so far in Abuja.

Seychelles' other three medals so far in Abuja have come from the sport of badminton which was making its debut at the Games.

The foursome of Juliette Ah-Wan, Shirley Etienne, Georgie Cupidon and Nicholas Jumaye won the bronze medal of the mixed team event.

Female number one Juliette Ah-Wan, who is also the defending African Championship women's singles gold medallist, won a bronze in the ladies' singles after losing her semifinal encounter.

Former Sportslady of the Year Ah-Wan won a third medal of the bronze hue when she teamed up with Shirley Etienne in the ladies' doubles, only to lose in the semifinal.

The badminton players are expected back home Monday October 13.

 G. G.