Penang Turn On The Style

THEY did not even have a decent place to train in their own backyard but the Penang synchronised swimmers showed their class by bagging two Malaysia Games gold medals at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The team were forced to train at one venue after another for two years after their regular training centre was closed for repairs.

That, however, did not stop Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, Alyssa Izadora, Cheah Cheng Im, Kok Wan Ting, Leong Jie Xi Natassha Julian, Nikki Chuah, Tasha Jane, Yew Yun Han and Yew Yun Qing from mesmerising the judges with their well-coordinated routines to win gold medals in the technical and free disciplines.

They performed to the 2010 South Africa Football World Cup official theme song 'Waving Flag' for the technical routine to earn 179.10 points ahead of Negri Sembilan (172.16) and Federal Territories (132.75).

The team then performed to the theme song from the movie Transformers for the free routine to win the title with 71.50 points. Negri (69.50) and Federal Territories (65.83) finished second and third, respectively.

Emanuelle, the team captain, said they were delighted to achieve the two gold medals yesterday.

"We are thankful to everyone involved with the synchronised swimming programme in our state. Our performance was not perfect but thankfully things turned out fine," said the 16-year-old student of Bukit Jalil Sports School, who returned to Penang a month before the Malaysia Games to practice with her state team.

Penang Amateur Swimming Association secretary Soh Yew Siang said his team's opening day performance was a reward for the dedication shown by the swimmers, coaches and the parents.

The event continues with the solo disciplines (free and technical) today.

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