Katrina Proves Her Point After Missing World Meet

Negri Sembilan in action during the team technical routine event at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil Tuesday. — M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor’s Katrina Ann Hadi showed that she’s still the darling of synchronised swimming as she dazzled her way to a gold medal in the solo technical routine of the Sukma at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

It was also a bittersweet win for Katrina who had a point to prove after missing out on the World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona from July 19-Aug 4 as the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) withdrew her participation.

The 21-year-old Katrina was initially scheduled to participate in the solo event and the duet alongside Emanuelle Mah in Barcelona.

But ASUM opted not to send them after Emanuelle suffered a shoulder injury in April, whilst also citing that Katrina had yet to recover from a wrist surgery she undertook last November.

“The fact that I was still injured is actually not true ... because I was already back in the pool since March. By April, we were already in full training mode for the Japan Open which we were supposed to compete as well,” said Katrina.

“Then Emanuelle had that unfortunate injury and although we had Tasha (Jane) on the reserve list, ASUM decided that if Emanuelle can’t go then the whole squad will not go.

“That is quite sad because they could have still sent me to the world meet for the solo event. I appealed but ASUM decided against it.

“It is quite a blow to us synchronised swimmers because if we keep missing out on events like this, the judges from all over the world will have the perception that synchronised swimming is non-existent in Malaysia. In turn, that might jeopardise our chances of qualifying for the Olympics in the future,” explained Katrina.

Nevertheless, Katrina managed to put that disappointment behind her yesterday. She was sensational in performing her routine to Lindsay Stirling’s River Flows in You to win the gold with a score of 75.64. Penang’s Tasha bagged the silver with a 70.24 total while Federal Territories’ Jacqueline Ng Siew Fong took the bronze.

“This is my last Sukma and I’m pleased to start it off with a gold. It is also a good preparation for the Hong Kong Open and the Asia Pacific Championship,” said Katrina who has one more event – the duet technical with Zylane Lee Yhing Huey today.

Zylane was also in top form, taking gold in the solo free routine with a score of 74.2. A half-fit Emanuelle did enough to take the silver while FT’s Foong Yan-Nie settled for the bronze.