Best Friends Rule Free Duet

Syncro siblings: Sisters Tan Jia Hui (left) and Tan Jia Jih of Negri Sembilan performing their routine en route to a silver medal in the synchronised technical duet category at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday. —S HAHRULFA ZRYIS MAIL/ The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: For best friends, room-mates and partners Emanuelle Mah Thil Da and Tasha Jane, winning the synchronised swimming free duet gold medal at the 16th Malaysia Games (Sukma) at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil means so much to them.

The 18-year-olds gave a sparkling performance to the Tron: Legacy soundtrack, scoring 72.70 points to land Penang’s first gold in the synchronised swimming event.

Negri Sembilan’s Chai Jia Yue-Gan Hua Wei had 70.00 points for the silver while Federal Territories’ Foong Yan Nie-Chen Yong Xing settled for bronze with a score of 65.20.

For Emanuelle, the win allowed her to make amends for suffering a shoulder injury in April and missing out on the World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona from July 19-Aug 4.

“I’m quite disappointed at missing out on the world meet but accidents happen,” she said.

So in sync: Penang’s Tasha Jane (right) and Emanuelle Mah performing their way to the free duet gold at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — SHAHRUL FAZRY ISMAIL / The Star

“I’m not fully recovered. My doctor only gave me the green light to compete in the Sukma provided the pain is bearable and very minimal. “I’m relieved that I survived through the routines without more pain.”

Tasha, on the other hand, was just delighted to be picking up her first duet gold medal.

“I haven’t gone solo for a quite a while and was very nervous en route to winning the silver in the technical solo a day earlier,” said Tasha, who won the team gold for Penang alongside Emanuelle in the 2011 Sukma.

“Now, to win my first duet gold with Emanuelle, who is also my best friend, tops it all.”

In the technical duet, Selangor’s Katrina Ann Hadi and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey were a class above as they won gold with a score of 75.00.