Despite jeers from some unruly sections of the crowd, Katrina Ann Hadi and Shareen Png delivered an outstanding performance to win the technical routine duet final ahead of Singapore and Indonesia.
Katrina and Shareen then joined the rest of the team – Tan May Mei, Mandy Yeap, Emanuelle Mah, Yeo Pei Ling, Zyanne and Zylane Lee – to give a masterclass in the team technical routine for the second gold.
They scored 74.750 – far ahead of second-placed Thailand (70.750) and joint bronze medallists Indonesia and Singapore (both 70.375).
Dressed in the Harimau Muda colours, complete with numbers sewn onto their backs, the swimmers were graceful and dazzling as they performed to a mash-up of Shakira’s Waka Waka and Knaan’s Waving Flag.
It was a remarkable achievement for the team, considering that they only started training seriously in August while the likes of Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia already had proper programmes much earlier.
Katrina, 19, dedicated her gold to younger sister Farah Ann.
Farah suffered an injury and failed to win an expected gold in artistic gymnastics, managing only a silver.
She has returned home to sit for her SPM examinations. “It’s sad that she didn’t win gold and had to fly back early for her exams but she gave me all her love before she left,” said Katrina.
“I’m thrilled to win two golds but I’m also a bit surprised as we did not expect to do so well in the team event.”
She added the jeers from the crowd hardly affected her as she was focused when the music began.
“Once the event began and we got into the water, the music is all we hear ... nothing else.”
Katrina will be competing in the free duet and free team routines where another gold is expected.
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