60 gold possible after super showThe synchronised swimmers in action in the Technical Routine Team event at the Jakabaring Aquatic Centre in Palembang yesterday.
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Not only did the national athletes win six gold medals, which took the haul past the official target of 40-45, the footballers made the final after edging Myanmar 1-0 in a nervy semi-final.
The star of the day, however, was Heidi Gan after she added the 10km open water swimming gold to the 5km title won on Thursday.
It was a remarkable achievement, considering the gruelling nature of the events but Heidi is now hoping her exploits will convince the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) to back her in her bid to qualify for the London Olympics.
It is the least ASUM should do, considering that despite open water swimming not enjoying the status of swimming and diving, Heidi contributed two gold medals to the national haul.
In fact, ASUM must be glowing with pride for its athletes also contributed two synchronised swimming gold medals yesterday.
First, Shareen Png Hui Chuen and Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi combined perfectly to win the technical duet event.
The duo then came back for a second bite of the cherry and together with Tan May Mei, Mandy Yeap Mun Yip, Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, Ling Yep Pei, Zyanne Lee Zhien Huey and Zylane Lee Ying Huey, they swept the technical team gold.
Barring upsets or biased decisions, the Malaysians should pick up the remaining three gold medals at stake.
The track cyclists are also good for a clean sweep after winning the two events contested yesterday.
Against a backdrop of jeers and abuse at the Rawamangun Velodrome in Jakarta, Fatehah Mustapa and Harrif Salleh swept the women's 500m time trial and men's 10km scratch race respectively.
Their wins were even more commendable considering the intimidation they had to endure from a hostile crowd.
Wushu exponent Lee Yang ended a wait spanning four Sea Games when he clinched the taijiquan-taijijian combined gold medal.
A former world champion, the gold was Lee Yang's first ever Sea Games medal.
However, it was not all good news as sailing ended its campaign without a gold, which is surely a blow for the sport.
But with the football team advancing to the final and another six gold added to the haul, hopes are high that the final tally could reach 60.
Read more: SEA GAMES: Swimmers dazzle, football shines - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/sea-games-swimmers-dazzle-football-shines-1.8397#ixzz1eDzXC7uL
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