SEA GAMES: How Mandarin Helped Katrina Become A Wwinner

Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi couldn't understand a word of Mandarin when she first joined the national synchronised swimming team but soon realised the language was an integral part of daily training if she wanted to improve her skills in the sport.

Malaysians who won the Free Routine Team event with their gold medals.

 The 19-year-old was absorbed into the national team six years ago but found it tough at first under China-born coach Long Yan, who spoke only Mandarin.

And Katrina Ann felt then it was important to pick up a few words of the language to better understand instructions of her coach.

After several years in the national squad, Katrina Ann, a student of Sunway College, is now fluent in Mandarin and sometimes acts as Long Yan's translator.

"I knew I needed to pick up the language in order to excel in this sport. However, I managed to get the hang of Mandarin by practising with my teammates," said Katrina Ann, a former state sprinter and gymnast, yesterday.

"It is one of the best decisions in my life ... Mandarin has made me a better synchronised swimmer."

Katrina was equally talented in athletics, and she became the Selangor state Under-12 100m and 200m champion and also a state gymnast.

She, however, chose synchronised swimming at 13 after she was told to pick one sport by her parents.

"I was equally good in all three but couldn't continue with them and was told to specialise in just one. I chose synchronised swimming and I am glad I did," she said.

Katrina Ann yet again dominated proceedings on the second day of synchronised swimming in Palembang yesterday by lifting the free routine duet and team titles to take her tally to four gold medals. She will continue her campaign in today's team combination.

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