Emanuelle Has Everything In Sync For Big Stage

PETALING JAYA: Penang lass Emanuelle Mah is set for the big time when she represents Malaysia in synchronized swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai from July 16-31.

The 16-year-old Emanuelle is among the nine swimmers who got the nod for synchronized swimming at the world meet which will be held from July 17-23.

It will be the first time Malaysia will send a team and the others going are Katrina Ann Hadi, Lee Yhing Huey, Xyanne Lee, Tan May Mei, Mandy Yeap, Yeo Pei Ling and Shareen Png while Tasha Jane will be the reserve.

Emanuelle Mah

Emanuelle said she did not know how to swim initially when she went to check out a recruitment camp back in her home state.

“I went there and found out it was for synchronized swimming, so that’s how I got here today.

“I tasted early success at the Penang Games in 2005 with a gold medal in the routine event,” said Emanuelle, who scored seven As in her PMR exams. A dance lover, Emanuelle rejoined the Bukit Jalil training programme this year, and is looking forward to making her world championships debut.

“This is the first time I am taking part in the world championships. I went for the Japan Open last year but this will be the biggest stage for me.

“I will be out to give my best as I hope to make the squad for the SEA Games in November,” she said.

The synchronized swimming team at Bukit Jalil trains under Chinese coach Long Yan and Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia secretary Edwin Chong said the stint will be a good preparation for the SEA Games in Palembang.

“They were supposed to go for the Japan Open in April but it was cancelled due to the tsunami, so we are sending them to world championships.

“The last time we competed in the team discipline on the international level was at the Doha Asian Games in 2006, so we want to see where we stand especially with synchronized swimming back in the SEA Games programme. We will be fighting for the gold medal in the Games,” said Edwin.

Malaysia made a clean sweep when synchronized swimming was last contested at the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

There will be five gold medals up for grabs in synchronized swimming at Palembang.