A few weeks after her victory in the 400m hurdles at the Southern Africa U18 and U20 Championships in Mauritius, where she secured the gold medal, Ny Aina Anna Andrianjafy answers our questions.
You won the gold medal at the Southern Africa U18/U20 Championships in Mauritius. How did you experience this final?
It was a very hard-fought final from start to finish. All my competitors were very competitive, and there was no moment where one could let their guard down. Before the start, I naturally felt some pressure, but I focused on all the work accomplished during the two months of preparation preceding the competition. I gave everything I had left, and when I crossed the finish line in first place, I felt immense joy. This gold medal means a lot to me as a representative of Madagascar.
You are also a champion of the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games in the 4x400m relay. How is your daily preparation going?
Athletics is an integral part of my life and requires a great deal of rigor. I train six days out of seven under the supervision of my coach. Each session is scheduled with precision. He decides the content of the exercises, the volume of work, and the objectives to be reached. Some days are particularly difficult, especially when fatigue accumulates, but I always keep my goals in mind. It is this determination that allows me to persevere and constantly push my limits.
How do you manage to balance sports and studies?
For me, it is all a question of organization. I am currently preparing to resume my studies in English language. The morning is devoted to training and the afternoon to classes and revision. This requires rigorous time management and a lot of discipline. Studies are just as important as sports because they allow me to prepare for my future beyond my athletic career.
What are your goals now?
I want to progress step by step. My ambition is to become the champion of Madagascar before making my mark on the continental stage. I would also like to participate in a World Championship. However, my ultimate dream remains to represent Madagascar at the Olympic Games. I know the road is still long and the qualifying standards are very demanding, but that motivates me to work even harder.
What do you still need to improve to gain valuable seconds?
Today, my record is 56 seconds in the 400m flat and 1:04.15 in the 400m hurdles, a time achieved in Mauritius. I still need to perfect my hurdle clearance technique. This discipline requires very precise timing between running and obstacles. Every detail counts: the rhythm, the impulse, the landing, and the restart.
Donné Raherinjatovo
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-27 06:30:05 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/ny-aina-anna-andrianjafy-mon-reve.html