Mandy’s Decision To Return To Pool Pays Dividends

PALEMBANG: Two years ago Mandy Yeap decided to quit synchronised swimming to concentrate on her studies.

However, she changed her mind after finding out that the sport will be held in this Games and returned to the national team after receiving a call-up earlier this year.

And the 22-year-old Mandy, who grew up watching synchronised swimming in the Olympics, certainly does not regret her decision after tasting success here.

On Saturday, Penangite Mandy earned her first gold medal in the team technical routine.

Pretty maids all in a row: Malaysian synchronised swimmers proudly showing off their gold medals in Palembang yesterday.

Yesterday, despite speculations that a gold medal would be given to the hosts, Mandy and Co danced and bedazzled their way to yet another gold medal in the team free routine event.

Performing to a mash-up of the theme song from the movie “Blessed”, the Malaysian girls were simply a class above the rest as they scored 75.825 points to take gold, Malaysia’s fourth in synchronised swimming.

Even knowing that they’ll be performing as the fourth team just before the Indonesian team – did not faze them one bit as they stunned the boisterous crowd with a sizzling performance.

Indonesia took silver with 73.925, much to the disappointment of the crowd, while Thailand took bronze with 72.113.

“The win really feels great and it’s a dream come true for me because I loved watching the synchronised swimmers in the Olympics on television. This time I’m the one on TV,” said an excited Mandy.

“We’re actually a little surprised at the result because it’s a subjective sport and Indonesia, as hosts, generally have the advantage.

“We also did not expect the stadium to be so packed because synchronised swimming is not that popular, but we just went out there and did our best.

“We heard the jeers from the crowd as well but our coach told us to just focus and turn the boos into cheers in our head and that’s what we did,” added Mandy, who has been involved in the sport for 10 years now.

Meanwhile, the victory was also exceptionally sweet for 16-year-old Tasha Jane, who did not compete in the team technical routine on Saturday.

“I was really nervous as this was only my second time competing in such a packed stadium (the first being at the World Championships), but I’m glad I did okay and the winning feeling is really awesome,” enthused Tasha, who also hails from Penang.

It was another fruitful day for Malaysia in synchronised swimming, with Katrina Ann Hadi and Shareen Png dominating the field in the free routine duet earlier.

Mandy, Tasha and the rest of the team will compete in one last event today – the team combination.