Malaysia Achieves 45 Gold Medal Target, Thanks To Katrina Ann and Hui

PALEMBANG: Synchronised swimmers Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi and Shareen Hui claimed the first gold medal on the opening day Saturday of the 26th SEA Games synchronised swimming event at the Jakabaring Aquatic Centre here. 

Dazzling duo: Malaysia’s Shareen Png and Katrina Ann Hadi performing their gold-medal winning routine in the technical duet final Saturday.

The duo's gold was also Malaysia's 45th gold medal in the Games, the earlier medal target set by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Katrina Ann and Hui dazzled the spectators at the aquatic centre with their superb routine and scored a total of 76.125 points - 37.750 points for execution and 38.375 points for overall impression.

The silver medal was won by Singapore's Stephnie Chen and Cyrstal Yap with 72.750 points while host country swimmers Adela Amanda Nirmala and Sabihisma Arsyi claimed the bronze with 71.000 points.

"We are glad to be part of Malaysia's gold medal winners. We did not expect to win as the Singaporeans are also good," said the 27-year-old Hui.

She said they had been training hard for their new routine for the SEA Games since August after returning home from the FINA Swimming Championships in Shanghai, China in July.

Two hours later, Katrina Ann and Hui combined forces with six other Malaysian synchronised swimmers to claim Malaysia's second gold medal in the technical routine team event competition with a total of 74.750 points.

The silver medal was won by Thailand on 70.750 points while hosts Indonesia took the bronze with 70.375 points.