Synchro Stars Of The Future

PETALING JAYA: Indonesia SEA Games five-gold medal winner Katrina Ann Hadi and the Lee sisters, Zylane and Zyanne, showed they are Malaysia’s future faces of synchronised swimming with a smashing display in the South East Asia (SEA) Swimming Cham­pionships in Singapore.

The trio were the only Malaysians sent to compete in the synchronised swimming disciplines at the inaugural meet and they confirmed their reputation as the top force in the region by winning all the events they took part in.

ZZ tops: Zyanne (left) and Zylane proved they are synchronised swimmers to watch out for. 

The 22-year-old Katrina started the ball rolling by taking gold in the solo technical routine, scoring 74.670 points to beat Singapore’s Stephanie Chen, who managed 68.335.


Katrina combined with 23-year-old Zyanne Lee Zhien Huey to claim two more gold medals in the duet free and technical routines.

Katrina-Zyanne won a tight contest with Singaporeans Stephanie Chen-Crystal Yap in the duet free routine, prevailing only after scoring higher for artistic impression.

For technical merit, the pair from the Lion City scored 47.599 but Katrina-Zyanne only managed 36.916.

The Malaysians bounced back with a 37.817 for artistic impression and their total of 74.733 helped them pip the Singaporeans – who scored 36.618 for a total of 74.217 – to the gold.

Katrina Ann Hadi: Led the gold charge in Singapore. 

Katrina-Zyanne had a smoother ride in the duet technical routine, scoring 75.335 to claim gold ahead of the Singapo-reans, who finished with 70.830.

The 20-year-old Zylane Lee Yhing Huey, the younger sister of Zyanne, also passed her first individual test as she won the solo free routine event. She scored 70.633 to beat Singapore’s top mermaid Crystal Yap – who chalked up a 70.083 – to the gold.

“I’m very happy to get the gold medal for Malaysia, having put in a lot of effort from the beginning of the year,” said Zylane.

“It’s much easier doing the free routine as there are no pre-determined elements involved.”

Malaysia could have swept all seven gold medals at stake had they sent swimmers for the team events but chose not to in the spirit of regional friendship.

Katrina led Malaysia’s sweep of all five gold medals at the Indonesia SEA Games last November and this latest success augurs well for the future.

Katrina, Zylane and Zyanne are still young and will be the ones carrying the torch for Malaysia in the future, with qualification for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil very much in their sights.

Synchronised swimming is unlikely to be contested in the Myanmar SEA Games next year but it is almost certain to be part of the Singapore edition in 2015.