Ladies Makis win Madagascar's first Olympic medal
The Madagascar women's rugby sevens team secured bronze at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
The Madagascar women's rugby sevens team, the Ladies Makis, returned home as heroes on Saturday morning after winning the nation's first-ever Olympic medal. They achieved this historic bronze at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games 2026. The team secured third place after a 26-10 victory against the Czech Republic in the bronze medal match.
The Ladies Makis' journey included three group stage wins against the United States, Spain, and the Czech Republic, followed by a 5-15 semi-final loss to Kenya. Marcel Rakotomalala, president of the Malagasy Rugby Federation, praised the team's intensive four-month preparation and highlighted their international performance. Coach Dina Orléan Razafindratsara noted that the third-place finish exceeded their initial goal of reaching the semi-finals.
Team captain Tracy Fitiavanomenjanahary expressed the team's initial disappointment after the semi-final loss but emphasized their resilience. She stated a desire for more friendly matches and international encounters to aid their progression. Jean Alex Harinelina Andriamanarivo, secretary general of the Malagasy Olympic Committee, confirmed the team's training camps in Japan and Tunisia as part of their solid preparation.