The All Africa U19 Individual Championships in Thies, Senegal, have been a showcase of amazing talent, and two names have stood out above the rest: Lucas Douce and Aidan Yu Kiat Siow Yin Young. Both young athletes from Mauritius have proven their mettle by advancing to the semi-finals in not one, but three different events: Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
In the Men’s Singles, Lucas Douce, seeded number 1, faced a formidable challenge in the quarter-finals against Seif Omar of Egypt, who was his opponent in the team event final. The match was a nail-biting affair, lasting 45 minutes and going to three sets. Omar took the first set 21-12, but Douce exhibited incredible resilience, bouncing back to win the second set 21-8 and clinching the third set 21-15.
After the match, Douce shared his thoughts with BCA TV: “This time, I feel that Omar was really well prepared to play against me and he had a good strategy in mind as I had a tough time playing him. In the end, I am extremely happy that I managed to get the win against a very strong opponent and to advance to the semi-final.”
Meanwhile, Aidan Yu Kiat Siow Yin Young, seeded number 2, faced his own tough battle in the quarter-finals against Mahmoud Mohamed Mahmoud from Egypt. Aidan took the first set but stumbled in the second, losing 21-13. However, he regained his composure and dominated the deciding game, winning 21-5. Reflecting on his victory, Aidan told BCA TV: “I am extremely happy to be on the winning side and I know that the upcoming matches will not be easy. That’s why I have to rest and eat well. I hope that I can continue the same momentum for my upcoming matches.”
In the Men’s Doubles, the dynamic duo of Aidan and Lucas faced a grueling quarter-final match against Kareem Hatem and Ziad Hesham of Egypt. The match went the distance, with the Mauritians taking the first set 21-16 but losing the second set by the same score. The final game was a tight contest, but Aidan and Lucas emerged victorious with a 21-16 win, securing their place in the semi-finals. They will now face the fourth-seeded Algerian pair, Daoud Aimen and Yacine Laichi.
The Mixed Doubles also saw success for both Aidan and Lucas. Aidan, paired with Chiara How Hong, won their quarter-final match against Ryane Mazri and Ines Madi of Algeria 21-17, 21-18. On the other hand, Lucas, paired with Elsa How Hong, prevailed over the third-seeded Egyptian duo, Seif Omar and Reem Hussien, with a commanding 21-8, 21-15 victory.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Lucas and Aidan as they continue their pursuit of glory. Their performances have been nothing short of sensational, and they are well on their way to leaving a lasting mark on the All Africa U19 Championships.
For live updates and detailed match results, visit the official tournament page here. Stay tuned to our YouTube Channel, WhatsApp Channel, and Facebook page for more information and updates as the tournament reaches its thrilling conclusion.
