Claudine Nomenjanahary continues her steady progress. Competing at the National Meeting in La Roche-sur-Yon, located in the Vendée department of the Pays de la Loire region in France, the Malagasy sprinter clocked a time of 23.51 seconds in the 200m on Wednesday. This performance marks a new personal best, improving her previous record of 23.55 seconds—set during the finals of the 11th Indian Ocean Island Games held in Antananarivo in 2023—by four hundredths of a second.
Although modest on paper, this improvement carries significant weight at this level of competition, where every hundredth counts. It confirms that the Malagasy champion still holds potential for growth as she approaches her next international events. In the 200m, Claudine proves she remains the national benchmark while striving to close the gap with top African standards.
At the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games, Claudine Nomenjanahary made history by achieving a triple victory, repeating her 2019 feat in Mauritius. She won the 100m in 11.42 seconds, followed by the 200m in 23.55 seconds, and then led Madagascar to gold in the 4×100m relay with a time of 44.82 seconds, alongside teammates Sidonie Fiadanantsoa, Haingo Brigitte Razanajafy, and Zo.
Long-term commitment
By improving her time on the half-lap track today, the sprinter confirms that her potential remains intact. While a significant gap remains between her and the world’s elite, this performance serves as an encouraging signal. The world record is still held by American Florence Griffith-Joyner with a time of 21.34 seconds, set at the 1988 Seoul Olympics—a mark that has stood for nearly forty years.
Behind this historical reference are athletes like Shericka Jackson (21.41s) and Elaine Thompson-Herah (21.53s), reflecting the extremely high international level of the discipline.
For Claudine Nomenjanahary, this 23.51-second run is, above all, a new milestone in her career. This new personal record rewards her long-term dedication and fuels the ambitions of the Malagasy sprinter, who is determined to continue her progress on European tracks ahead of upcoming major international competitions.
Donné Raherinjatovo
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-04 07:13:13 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/athletisme-200-metres-claudine.html