Synchronised swimmers reap fruits of unwavering commitment

KUALA LUMPUR: They had to shuttle from one venue to another for training for almost two years after their regular place in Penang was closed down.

But the unwavering commitment despite all the troubles paid off handsomely as the Penang synchronised swimmers rejoiced after bagging the first two gold medals at stake in the competition at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The Penang team of Emanuelle Mah, Alyssa Izadora, Cheah Cheng Im, Kok Wan Ting, Leong Jie Xi, Natassha Julian, Nikki Chuah, Tasha Jane, Yew Yun Han and Yew Yun Qing danced their way to the gold medals in the technical and free disciplines.

In the technical routine, they chalked up 179.10 points to finish ahead of Negri Sembilan (172.16) and Kuala Lumpur (132.75). Then in the free routine, they finished tops with 71.50 points ahead of Negri (69.50) and Kuala Lumpur (65.83).

Beauty in water: Penang’s synchronised swimmers performing their gold-medal winning routine yesterday. — GLENN GUAN / The Star

Emanuelle, who is one of the synchronised swimmers training under the national programme in Bukit Jalil, said that they were happy to achieve their mission to capture the gold medals in the team disciplines.

“We are thankful to everyone involved with the synchronised swimming programme in our hometown for helping us to make this possible,” said the 16-year-old, who returned home a month ago to train with the Penang team.

“We made a few mistakes but thankfully, things turned out okay.”

Synchronised swimming was last contested in Sukma when Negri hosted the Games in 2004 and Penang Amateur Swimming Association secretary Soh Yew Siang said the two-gold achievement was just reward for the dedication and hard work put in by the swimmers, coaches and the parents as well.

“We had to fight very hard to justify the funding for a sport that has not been in the Sukma programme for some time,” he said.

“The parents showed their commitment by never failing to sent their children to training despite the uncertainties.

“We also did not have a regular pool to train in as the one in PISA has been closed for almost two years for repairs. We had to move around and to pay to train in private pools.”

There will be another two gold medals at stake in solo disciplines (free and technical) today.