12-year-old Aina Mahasambatra Tsinjoviniavo made chess history at the 13th edition of the African Games after she became the youngest player to win a medal in chess at the continental multi-sport event. The duo of FY Antenaina Rakotomaharo and Aina Tsinjoviniavo arguably became the youngest players to win a medal in chess at the African Games.
The Madagascan teen alongside her fellow citizen Fy Antenaina Rakotomaharo partnered in the mixed team rapid championship and emerged as the bronze medal winners. In their opening round, the duo drew 1-1 with Ghana C before claiming another draw against IM Mwali Chitumbo and Constance Mbatha of Zambia.
In the third-round fixture they faced it off with another youthful side Botswana made up of FM Gomolemo Rongwane and WCM Natalie Banda and clinched a 2-0 victory. They continued with their top-notch performance outshining Sao Tome Principle by the same margin in round four.
A draw against Angola and South Africa saw the Madagascan teens emerging as the bronze medal winners in the mixed team rapid event thus becoming the youngest duo to win a medal in chess at the African Games.