Mauritius is often pictured as a paradise of turquoise waters and luxury resorts. But scratch the surface, and you will find a nation with a competitive pulse that beats louder than the waves crashing on the reef. For a small island of 1.2 million people, Mauritius has an outsized passion for sport. It is a unifier that transcends community and class. From the Sunday horse races to the fervent support of “Club M,” sport is where the Mauritian soul truly reveals itself.
Here is the definitive guide to the sports that define the island, the history behind them, and the champions who became legends.
Horse Racing
You cannot understand Mauritian culture without visiting the Champ de Mars. Established in 1812 in Port Louis, it is the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere. For over two centuries, Saturday race days have been a ritual. It is one of the few places where every layer of society—from politicians in private suites to the working class in the “Plaine”—gathers in one place.
It is a mix of adrenaline, social gathering, and the island’s love for a gamble. The atmosphere during the “Maiden Cup” (the biggest race of the year) rivals any football stadium in Europe.
The Champions:
The Horse: The Cardinal. In the 2000s, this horse became a national icon, known for his late bursts of speed that sent the crowd into hysterics.
The Jockey: Rye Joorawon. The winningest Mauritian jockey in history. Known as a tactical genius on the track, he is a household name who has defeated top international jockeys on home turf.
Football
While the local league has struggled in recent years, the passion for the game is undying. Most Mauritians are die-hard fans of English Premier League teams (Liverpool and Manchester United are the dominant tribes). However, the national team, “Club M,” holds a special place in history.
Football is the universal language of the island. Every village has a pitch, and “Sunday League” football is fiercely competitive.
The Champions:
The Legend: Kersley Appou. A towering striker who made history in 2014 by becoming the oldest African international goalscorer at age 43, breaking the record of Roger Milla.
The Historic Moment: The 2003 Indian Ocean Island Games (JIOI). Playing on home soil at the George V Stadium, Mauritius defeated arch-rivals Réunion Island to win Gold. It remains the most euphoric sporting night in the country’s history.
Boxing
Mauritius has always had a fighting spirit, literally. Boxing gyms in regions like Vacoas and Rose Hill have produced African champions for decades. It is the sport that finally put Mauritius on the Olympic map.
Boxing appeals to the underdog mentality. Seeing a Mauritian boxer take down opponents from larger nations is a source of immense pride.
The Champions:
The Olympic Hero: Bruno Julie. In 2008 (Beijing), “The Mauritian Magician” did the unthinkable. He boxed his way to the semi-finals, securing a Bronze Medal—the island’s first and only Olympic metal. His technical style and evasion skills were world-class.
The Modern Warrior: Richarno Colin. A multi-time African champion and Olympian who has carried the torch of Mauritian boxing for over a decade.
Athletics
In the early 2000s, Mauritius was arguably the sprint capital of Africa. The island produced a generation of sprinters who didn’t just compete; they reached World and Olympic finals.
Athletics is pure meritocracy. It showed that despite a lack of resources compared to the US or Jamaica, raw talent could shine.
The Champions:
The Sprint King: Stéphan Buckland. He is the finest athlete the island has ever seen. In 2004 (Athens) and 2005 (World Championships), he reached the 200m Finals, finishing 6th in the world. He was the only athlete who could genuinely challenge US superstars like Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay.
The 400m Ace: Eric Milazar. For years, he was the African Champion over 400m, representing Mauritius at three consecutive Olympics.
Kickboxing
While boxing is the traditional combat sport, kickboxing has exploded in popularity over the last 15 years, with Mauritius becoming a global heavyweight in the sport.
It is fast, disciplined, and Mauritius keeps winning. The consistency of medals on the world stage has created a dedicated following.
The Champion:
The Technician: Fabrice Bauluck. A multiple-time World Champion. He is celebrated not just for winning, but for his discipline and humility. He is widely considered one of the best technical kickboxers in his weight class globally.
Badminton
Given the island’s strong cultural ties to Asia, badminton has always been a staple in schools and social clubs. In recent years, it has transitioned from a pastime to a professional pursuit.
Almost every gym or community center has a court, making it a highly participatory sport.
The Champion:
The Queen of the Court: Kate Foo Kune. She dominated African badminton for years, winning multiple African Championships and representing Mauritius at the Olympics (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020). She was also the flag bearer for the nation.
Para-Sports
In the last five years, Para-sports have surged, moving from the fringes to the front pages of newspapers.
The stories of resilience resonate deeply. The public support for para-athletes has grown massively as they have started breaking world records.
The Champion:
The Record Breaker: Noemi Alphonse. A wheelchair racer (T54 category) who has become a national icon. She is a World Championship medalist and holds African records, proving that disability is no barrier to world-class excellence
Water Sports
We cannot ignore the lagoon. Mauritius has transformed from a leisure destination into a competitive arena for water sports.
Kitesurfing: The spot at Le Morne (One Eye) is world-renowned. It hosts international competitions like the GKA Kitesurf World Cup, drawing the world’s best riders to our shores.
Windsurfing & Sailing: From the Indian Ocean Island Games to continental championships, our sailors utilize our trade winds to secure gold medals.
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