Badminton has been a popular sport in Mauritius for many years. The country has produced some of the finest badminton players in the world, many of whom have achieved international recognition.
From the island’s first champion, Jules Dorasamy, to the current national champion, Jean-Marc Marie, Mauritius has a long history of producing world-class badminton players.
In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the best badminton players in Mauritius and the achievements they have made in the sport.
1. Julien Paul
Georges Julien Paul is an acclaimed badminton player from Mauritius. He is known for his remarkable success at the African Youth Games in 2014, where he won three gold medals in the individual event.
Paul was then part of the national team that won the gold medal at the 2015 African Games. He further cemented his reputation in the badminton world by winning the men’s singles title at the African Championships in 2018 and 2020.
Paul’s outstanding achievements demonstrate his talent and determination in the sport of badminton. His success over the years has made him a role model for badminton players around the world, and he is now seen as one of the top badminton players in Africa.
2. Eddy Clarisse
Édouard Clarisse is a former badminton player from Mauritius who began his badminton career in 1987. Throughout his career, Clarisse has made many accomplishments. He retired from badminton in 2006 after competing in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.
In addition to competing in the Commonwealth Games, Clarisse also had the unique opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games three times. These three appearances demonstrate his dedication to the sport and his determination to reach the highest levels of competition.
Clarisse’s accomplishments are a testament to his hard work and dedication to badminton.
3. Kate Foo Kune
Kate Jessica Kim Lee Foo Kune is an accomplished badminton player from the small island of Mauritius. She has been playing the sport since the young age of six, where she first picked up a racket and began training.
In 2013, she entered her first major tournament, the BWF World Championships in China. However, her debut didn’t go as planned, as she was eliminated in the first round by Sarah Walker of England.
Despite the result, Kate was determined to keep playing and hone her skills, and she hasn’t looked back since. She has gone on to become one of the most successful badminton players on the island and a role model for younger players.
Her story serves as an inspiration to anyone who is willing to put in the time and effort to achieve their goals.
4. Marie-Hélène Pierre
Marie-Hélène Valérie-Pierre is an accomplished badminton player hailing from Mauritius. She had the honor of representing her home country at the 2000 Summer Olympics, which were held in Sydney, Australia.
At those Olympics, she competed in two events: women’s doubles and mixed doubles. In women’s doubles, she was partnered with Amrita Sawaram. In mixed doubles, she was partnered with Stephan Beehary.
At the 2000 Olympics, Marie-Hélène Valérie-Pierre was the first Mauritian badminton player to compete at the Olympics. This was a major accomplishment and a milestone for the country.
She had the privilege of representing her home country on the world stage and has left a lasting legacy in Mauritian sports. Marie-Hélène Valérie-Pierre is a great example of hard work and dedication paying off.
She worked tirelessly for years to reach the level of success she achieved at the 2000 Olympics. She was also able to use her talent and skill to inspire and encourage the next generation of Mauritian badminton players.
Marie-Hélène Valérie-Pierre is a true example of a champion in Mauritian sports. Her accomplishments have left a lasting mark on the history of Mauritian badminton, and she will always be remembered as a pioneer in her field.
5. Amrita Sawaram
Amrita Sawaram is a highly accomplished badminton player from Mauritius. She made history in 2000 when she became the first Mauritian female to win the gold medal at the African Championships in the women’s singles event.
Her success at the tournament earned her a place at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where she competed in both the singles and doubles events.
This was a remarkable achievement for the young Mauritian athlete, as she was competing against some of the best players in the world.
Her victory at the African Championships and her participation in the Olympics demonstrated her skill and determination in the sport of badminton.
She has since become an inspiration to other aspiring Mauritian athletes, showing them that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
6. Martine de Souza
Martine Hennequin is a professional badminton player from Mauritius. She has been competing in the Olympics since 1992 when she represented her country at the Barcelona Summer Olympics. At the 1992 Olympics, she competed in both women’s singles and women’s doubles.
Four years later, she returned to the Olympic scene and competed in three events at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Her accomplishments go beyond the Olympics, though.
She has earned gold medals in three Indian Ocean Island Games editions, solidifying her status as a premier badminton player. Her accomplishments make her a great role model for aspiring badminton players.
She has shown that with hard work and dedication, success can be achieved in badminton at the highest level.
7. Vandanah Seesurun
Vandanah Seesurun is a badminton player from Mauritius, an island nation located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa.
She is best known for her participation in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, where she competed in both women’s singles and women’s doubles.
Seesurun was among the first athletes from Mauritius to compete in the Olympics, and her success in the tournaments was a major accomplishment for her country.
She was highly praised for her athleticism and skill, and her performance in the Olympics was a source of pride for Mauritius.
Seesurun’s efforts in the Olympics helped to pave the way for a new generation of athletes from the small island nation to compete at the highest level of international competition.
Her legacy as a pioneer of Mauritian badminton lives on to this day, and she remains an inspiration to many.
8. Karen Foo Kune
Eileen Karen Lee Chin Foo Kune is a remarkable woman who has achieved tremendous success in both the sports and political arenas. Born on the 29th of May 1982 in Mauritius, she is a badminton player and politician.
Her impressive badminton skills earned her the title of Mauritian Sportswoman of the Year in 2004 and 2009.
She is also notable for her participation in the 2008 Summer Olympics and the Commonwealth Games which she took part in in 2002, 2006, and 2010. Eileen is a highly accomplished athlete, having won a number of tournaments and competitions throughout her career, including the Mauritius International Series and the National Championships.
Her international success saw her travel around the world to compete in major tournaments, including the African Championships, the All-Africa Games, and the World Championships. Eileen is also an active politician, currently serving as a Member of Parliament for the Constituency of Port Louis South in Mauritius.
She is a strong advocate for women’s rights and is highly involved in her local community, leading various initiatives to help improve the lives of her constituents. Eileen Karen Lee Chin Foo Kune is a highly respected figure in the Mauritian community.
Through her achievements in both the sports and political fields, she has become a role model for many. Her commitment to excellence and her dedication to her country have made her an inspiration to many.
9. Denis Constantin
Denis Constantin is a former Mauritian badminton player who went on to represent Australia. He achieved notable success at the 2000 African Championships, where he won the gold medal in the men’s singles event.
In the men’s doubles event he was partnered with Eddy Clarisse and the pair went on to take the gold medal. Constantin then went on to defend his gold medal in the men’s doubles event in 2002, this time partnering with Stephan Beeharry.
Constantin’s success in the African Championships shows his dedication and skill as a badminton player, as well as his willingness to adapt to new partners and to improve his game.
Conclusion:
The best badminton players in Mauritius are highly talented and have achieved great success in the sport. They have earned a great amount of respect in the badminton community and have become renowned for their skill and determination.
They have become a source of inspiration for many aspiring badminton players in Mauritius and have shown that hard work and dedication can help one reach the highest levels of the sport.
