Seven-Year Wait Ends, Katrina Finally Wins Her Gold Medal

KUALA LUMPUR: Her younger sister Farah Ann Hadi won the Sukma (Malaysia Games) individual all-around title in gymnastics in Malacca last year but Katrina Ann Hadi had to wait for seven years to earn hers in synchronised swimming.

The Selangor swimmer ended her long wait for an individual Sukma gold medal in the sport by garnering the highest points of 76.500 in the solo technical display yesterday morning.

Jillian Ng, the daughter of former Asian Games gold medallist cyclist Ng Joo Ngan, notched 72.100 points for the silver medal while the bronze went to Gan Zhen Yu of Negri Sembilan, who managed 65.400 points.

Great win: Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi (left) lee Yhing Huey showing the gold medals they won in the synchronised swimming at the Aquatci Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday

Katrina was only 12 when she won a gold in the team discipline when the sport was last competed at Sukma level in Negri Sembilan in 2004.

Synchronised swimming only made its way back into Sukma once the National Sports Council decided to turn into an annual affair at Malacca last year.

And the 19-year-old has since emerged as the top synchronised swimmer in the country with her representing the country at the Commonwealth and Asian Games last year.

“My sister won the individual gold and it’s my turn to get one today.

“I hope to get another gold medal tomorrow to achieve my target in Sukma (when she combines with Lee Yhing Huey (for the duet technical routine).

“It should not be a problem but we respect our rivals and will not underestimate them,” said Katrina, who is also bound for the World Championships in Shanghai in August.

Fellow Shanghai-bound synchronised swimmer Yhing Huey also received a timely boost to her confidence by completing a double sweep for Selangor later in the afternoon.

Yhing Huey danced her way to the gold with 73.200 points, finishing ahead of Emanuelle Mah of Penang (71.800 points) and Jacqueline Ng of Kuala Lumpur (67.100 points) in the Solo Free Routine event

The 19-year-old Yhing Huey, whose elder sister Zylane Lee is also in the national swimmming team, was delighted to realise her mission to become a Sukma gold medallist.

“I did well today but I still need more experience.

“We do not go for many competitions and we need the exposure if we are to improve to fight with stronger opponents,” said Yhing Huey.

Selangor and Penang now have two gold medals each after the team and solo disciplines ended.

Two more gold medals will be decided in the duet competitions (technical and free) today.