Shareen Upstages New Partner Suzanna In Solo Swimming Event

KUALA LUMPUR: Shareen Png Hui Chen learned yesterday that she will be the partner for Suzanna Ghazali Bujang in the duet event for synchronised swimming in the preparations for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in 2006.

And the news inspired her to chalk up an upset win over Suzanna in the free solo event of the Malaysian Open and age-group synchronised swimming championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Performing to a tune taken from the Matrix hit movie, Shareen twirled and somersaulted her way in the water to victory with a score of 74.500 points.

Suzanna, who took gold in the technical solo on Friday, settled for the silver on 73.333 while Darja Mojaeva of Uzbekistan took bronze on 72.333.

The 20-year-old Shareen was delighted to have come out tops in the free solo event.

“I only started to prepare for this routine about one month ago. This is the first time I am taking part in the individual competition. I was more accustomed to competing in the duet event,” she said.

Shareen added that she did not expect to beat her more illustrious teammate yesterday.

“I finished second in the technical solo behind Suzanna. I am happy to have achieved something,” said the Sarawak-born lass, who took silver in the individual event in Sukma earlier this year.

“I also learned from my coach that I will be partnering her. I am looking forward to it.”

Suzanna, a double gold medallist in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, was disappointed with her performance.

However, the Canada-based Suzanna was happy for Shareen.

“I will continue to train harder. The World Championships in Montreal in July next year will be my main target,” said Suzanna.

Meanwhile, Suzanna's former partner Sara Kamil Yusof has not quit the sport. She was forced to stop training after the National Sports Council (NSC) stopped funding her. Sara is studying together with Suzanna in Vancouver.

OPEN

Free solo: 1. Shareen Png (Mas) 74.500, 2. Suzanna Ghazali Bujang (Mas) 73.333, 3. Darja Mojaeva (Uzb) 72.333.

Combination team: 1. Malaysia 73.333, 2. Thailand 66.333.

UNDER-18

Duet: 1. Natalya Korneeva-Valentina Popova (Uzb) 68.773, 2. Etiopia Changjongpradit-Thanyaluck Muangwong (Tha) 67.369, 3. Tan May Mei-Yshai Poo Voon (Mas) 66.575.

UNDER-15

Duet: 1. Jillian Ng-Zylande Lee (Mas) 68.340, 2. Mandy Yeap-Yeo Pei Ling (Mas) 65.740, 3. Veerin Harnchana-Angeli Changjongpradit (Tha) 65.370.

UNDER-12

Solo: 1. Zylane Lee (Sel) 68.833, 2. Yew Li Ching (Sel) 68.500, 3. Truong Nguyen (Vie) 64.000.

Duet: 1. Yew Li Ching-Zylane Lee (Sel) 66.686, 2. Cheryl Cheah-Rachel Teoh (Pen) 59.134, 3. Le Van Anh-Truong Nguyen (Vie) 57.037.