Negri Find Right Rhythm To Capture Combo Gold

KUALA LUMPUR: A touch of Bollywood glamour helped the Negri Sembilan synchronised swimming team pull the rug from under favourites Penang and Selangor in the combo competition at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The team comprising Fatin Syazwani Abdul Rahim, Gan Zhen Yu, Chai Jia Yue, Gan Hua Wei, Ili Gan, Nur Faqihah Abdul Halim, Nurul Atiqah Hanafiah, Tan Jia Hui, Tan Jia Hih and Wong Xin Ying performed to the Hindi hit song, Discowale Kisko, and earned 73.600 points to snatch the last gold medal offered in synchronised swimming.

Penang, who bagged the two gold medals in team disciplines on Thursday, took silver on 70.400 while Selangor, despite having internationals Katrina Ann Hadi and Lee Yhing Huey, settled for bronze on 66.500.

The triumph also brought much satisfaction to the Negri swimmers, who sacrificed their spare time in the last six months to prepare for Sukma.

Golden bunch: The Negri Sembilan team posing after winning the synchronised swimming combo gold Sunday. — SHAHRUL FAZRY/The Star

“We have to thank our Chinese coach (Hu Shuxia) for guiding us. She has been with us for eight years and she chose the song for our performance,” said 14-year-old Syazwani.

The 15-year-old Zhen Yu said that winning the combo gold medal was a pleasant surprise as they were expecting Penang and Selangor to put up stronger performances.

“We got a fast-paced song and thankfully, we clicked well,” she said.

Both Syazwani and Zhen Yu combined for the bronze in the duet free event last Saturday. The duo are among the swimmers training in Bukit Jalil and they now hope to make their international debut at the Indonesia SEA Games in November.

The Amateur Swimming Association of Negri Sembilan secretary, Andy Low, was relieved they had a gold medal to show.

“We were confident of challenging strongly for gold today as it combined the scores for technical and overall impression. We had come out tops in the national age-group meet in this event,” he said.

“We finished with silver in the team free and technical events on the first day of competition.”

Selangor emerged overall winners in synchronised swimming with three gold medals. Penang bagged two while Federal Territories had one from the duet free event.

SUKMA XIV KL: Katrina Idam Aksi Olimpik

KATRINA Ann dijadual menyertai Sukan SEA Indonesia, November ini.

MEMBUAT pilihan dalam hidup bukanlah perkara mudah. Itulah yang terpaksa diharungi atlit renang berirama Selangor, Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi dalam memilih bidang sukan yang mampu menyinarkan dirinya di pentas tempatan dan antarabangsa.

Anak gadis 19 tahun yang mula mengenali sukan seawal sekolah rendah lagi, banyak berkecimpung dan mewakili negeri dalam pelbagai acara sukan termasuk olahraga dan gimnastik.

Namun ketika mencecah usia 12 tahun, Katrina perlu membuat perancangan masa depan untuk memilih hanya satu bidang sukan yang mahu diceburi dengan serius.

“Saya perlu membuat keputusan yang besar untuk masa depan saya ketika itu dan saya memilih sukan berirama kerana ia lebih kepada semangat berpasukan dan begitu mencabar. Satu faktor lagi ialah sukan ini diiringi muzik yang rancak.

“Hingga hari ini, saya rasa sudah membuat keputusan yang betul,” katanya yang merangkul emas di Kejohanan Asia Pasifik dalam acara solo, dan menduduki tempat kelima Sukan Komanwel serta Sukan Asia tahun lalu.

Dia yang sudah tujuh tahun menganggotai skuad kebangsaan, dijadual menyertai Sukan SEA Indonesia, November ini dalam acara duet dan berpasukan, mengharapkan satu lagi pencapaian terbaik dengan memenangi pingat emas.

“Ini harapan saya dan mudah-mudahan ia berhasil,” katanya yang meletakkan sasaran beraksi di Sukan Olimpik satu masa nanti.
PROFIL

Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi


Umur: 19 tahun

Tinggi:1.61 meter

Berat: 51 kg

Adik-beradik: Sulung daripada tiga adik beradik

Hobi: Membaca

Cita-cita: Doktor Sains Sukan

Katrina and Yhing Huey Wows The Crowd

BUKIT JALIL (June 11, 20110): After clinching one gold medal each in yesterday’s individual disciplines, Selangor’s Katrina Ann and Lee Yhing Huey were back in the pool. This time as a pair for the technical duet discipline of the 14^th Malaysia Games (Sukma) synchronised swimming event here at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

And they proved to be a class above their competitors. An outstanding routine that was brilliantly choreographed and executed with such precision left the judges and crowd in awe.

“Our manner of presentation is of a different level in comparison with the other duets. We have been with the national team participating in international tournaments and that gave us the edge today,” said Katrina.

The golden duo who have been partnering each other for three years, have been training everyday in preparation of this games.

“We train six-seven a day, every day. We had taken time off from our respective study schedules and focused all our time and concentration on this. Sukma is really important to us. It’s a chance for us to prepare for upcoming international tournaments,” said Yhing Huey who will be competing in another two disciplines.

Katrina who’s biggest accomplishment to date is a fifth place finish at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games is delighted with the sport being included in Sukma.

“It’s a great stepping stone for young promising girls to showcase their talent. It will help in promoting the sport as well as increasing the quality of swimmers we have in the country.”

This is a timely boost for both Katrina and Yhing Huey who will be competing at the World Championships in Shangai this August.

Meanwhile in the technical free routine, Federal Territory’s Jacqueline Ng and Esther Chen served up a major upset by breaking the Selangor and Penang dominance.

The duo’s well coordinated routine earned them top spot while Penang’s Emanuelle Mah and Tasha Jane bagged their second silver of the day. Negri’s duet of Gan Zhen Yu and Fatin Syazwani had to settle for the bronze.

Tomorrow is the last day of competition and it will end with the team combination discipline.

Selangor Swimmers Meet Two-Gold Medals Target

GOLDEN DUO: Selangor swimmers Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi (left) and Lee Yhing Huey show their gold medal at the National Aquatic Centre Bukit Jalil. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor’s synchronised swimming squad bagged another gold medal yesterday, hence achieving their two-gold medals target at the 14th Malaysia Games.

The medal was contributed by Lee Yhing Huey through the solo free routine event at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Lee collected 73.200 points ahead of Emanuelle Mah Thil Da from Penang, who had to settle for silver medal with 71.800 points, and Jacqueline Ng Siew Fong from Federal Territories, who took the bronze with 67.100 points.

The squad’s first gold medal was contributed by Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi in the solo technical routine event earlier yesterday.

Lee, 19, who is also a national swimmer, said she was happy with her performance and hoped to excel in the duet technical routine and duet free routine today.

“Today’s competition was quite strong, especially from Emanuelle, who is also a national swimmer,” she told reporters here yesterday.

Lee said after the Malaysia Games, she would focus on the preparation for the World Swimming Championship, scheduled for July in Shanghai, China.

Meanwhile, Selangor coach Tony Yap said he would like to congratulate Katrina Ann and Lee for their contributions in achieving the two-gold medals target.

“We hope the squad will be able to win another gold medal tomorrow as a bonus after showcasing excellence performance today,” he said. — Bernama

SUKMA XIV KL: Yhing Huey Dapat Pembakar Semangat

YHING Huey (kanan) dan Katriana Ann memperagakan pingat emas yang acara solo bebas solo teknikal renang berirama yang mereka menangi di Pusat Akuatik Bukit Jalil, semalam.

Tekad jadikan pingat emas SUKMA XIV bekal hadapi cabaran lebih besar di Sukan SEA

LEE Yhing Huey dari Selangor akan menjadikan kilauan pingat emas yang dirangkulnya dalam acara solo bebas renang berirama Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) XIV Kuala Lumpur semalam sebagai pembakar semangat untuk menghadapi cabaran lebih besar di Sukan SEA Indonesia, November ini.

Biarpun penyertaannya pada Sukan SEA nanti hanya membabitkan acara berpasukan, dia yakin dan menanam azam untuk membantu pasukan kebangsaan merangkul pingat emas.

“Saya berada dalam skuad kebangsaan bersama-sama dengan Katrina Ann (Abdul Hadi) dan saya berazam untuk membantu pasukan meraih pingat emas,” kata atlit 19 tahun yang mengutip 73.2 mata, semalam.

Selangor merangkul bersih dua pingat emas yang dipertandingkan semalam, sekali gus melengkapkan sasaran pasukan berkenaan iaitu menerusi Yhing Huey (solo bebas) dan Katrina Ann (solo teknikal).

Begitupun, pengurus Tony Yap yang berbangga dengan prestasi dua atlitnya itu, turut memasang satu lagi sasaran emas hari ini, menerusi acara duet teknikal yang bakal digalas kedua-dua pemenang pingat emasnya semalam.

“Kami mengharapkan satu lagi emas esok (hari ini) kerana mereka menunjukkan prestasi yang amat baik dalam kedua-dua acara solo yang dipertandingkan hari ini (semalam),” katanya ketika ditemui selepas majlis penyampaian hadiah.
Dalam acara teknikal solo di sebelah pagi, Katrina Ann mengumpul 76.5 untuk merangkul emas, menewaskan atlit Wilayah Persekutuan Jillian Ng (72.1 mata) dan Gan Zhen Yu dari Negeri Sembilan (65.4 mata).

Duo Dazzle To Earn Gold Medals

Kathrina Ann Abdul Hadi (left) and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey showing off their gold medals after winning the synchronised solo technical and free disciplines respectively yesterday. — Picture by Osman Adnan

KATHRINA Ann Abdul Hadi and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey earned Selangor a sweet double by winning the synchronised swimming solo technical and free disciplines at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Kathrina, older sister of gymnast Farah Ann, was in her element in the technical event, which subsequently earned her top position with 76.1 points ahead of Federal Territories' silver medallist Jilian Ng Siew Mei (72.6), daughter of former national cyclist Ng Joo Ngan.

Negri Sembilan's Gan Zhen Yu delighted her fans with a bronze medal by posting 65.4 points.

Kathrina expressed her delight in finally winning a Malaysia Games individual title to equal her sister's gymnastic all-around gold medal in last year's edition in Malacca.

"I have waited seven years for this moment. I was only 12 when I helped Selangor win the team gold at the 2004 Games. I am glad that I've finally equalled my sister's achievement of winning an individual title," said Kathrina in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Kathrina, who finished fifth in the sole event at last November's New Delhi Commonwealth Games, is using the Malaysia Games to gauge her performance before next month's World Championships in Shanghai where the 19-year-old will compete in the solo, duet and team event.

Yhing Huey added Selangor's second gold of the day with a stunning performance in the solo free event.

The 19-year-old and younger sister of national synchronised swimmer Zyanne Lee Zhien Huey, earned 73.10 points to edge Penang's Emanuelle Mah Thil Da by a mere 1.4 points for the gold.

FT's Jacqueline Ng grabbed the bronze with a 67.10 total.

"It was a close final but thankfully I managed to earn more points than Emanuelle. I hope to carry on with my good form in tomorrow's (today) duet technical event with Katrina," said the Cheras-born athlete.

Yhing Heuy has also been selected for the world meet where she will compete in the team competition.

Synchronised swimming continues today with the duet technical and free disciplines.

Read more: Duo dazzle to earn gold medals http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/k2ne12e123d/Article#ixzz1OxXaptIq

Seven-Year Wait Ends, Katrina Finally Wins Her Gold Medal

KUALA LUMPUR: Her younger sister Farah Ann Hadi won the Sukma (Malaysia Games) individual all-around title in gymnastics in Malacca last year but Katrina Ann Hadi had to wait for seven years to earn hers in synchronised swimming.

The Selangor swimmer ended her long wait for an individual Sukma gold medal in the sport by garnering the highest points of 76.500 in the solo technical display yesterday morning.

Jillian Ng, the daughter of former Asian Games gold medallist cyclist Ng Joo Ngan, notched 72.100 points for the silver medal while the bronze went to Gan Zhen Yu of Negri Sembilan, who managed 65.400 points.

Great win: Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi (left) lee Yhing Huey showing the gold medals they won in the synchronised swimming at the Aquatci Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday

Katrina was only 12 when she won a gold in the team discipline when the sport was last competed at Sukma level in Negri Sembilan in 2004.

Synchronised swimming only made its way back into Sukma once the National Sports Council decided to turn into an annual affair at Malacca last year.

And the 19-year-old has since emerged as the top synchronised swimmer in the country with her representing the country at the Commonwealth and Asian Games last year.

“My sister won the individual gold and it’s my turn to get one today.

“I hope to get another gold medal tomorrow to achieve my target in Sukma (when she combines with Lee Yhing Huey (for the duet technical routine).

“It should not be a problem but we respect our rivals and will not underestimate them,” said Katrina, who is also bound for the World Championships in Shanghai in August.

Fellow Shanghai-bound synchronised swimmer Yhing Huey also received a timely boost to her confidence by completing a double sweep for Selangor later in the afternoon.

Yhing Huey danced her way to the gold with 73.200 points, finishing ahead of Emanuelle Mah of Penang (71.800 points) and Jacqueline Ng of Kuala Lumpur (67.100 points) in the Solo Free Routine event

The 19-year-old Yhing Huey, whose elder sister Zylane Lee is also in the national swimmming team, was delighted to realise her mission to become a Sukma gold medallist.

“I did well today but I still need more experience.

“We do not go for many competitions and we need the exposure if we are to improve to fight with stronger opponents,” said Yhing Huey.

Selangor and Penang now have two gold medals each after the team and solo disciplines ended.

Two more gold medals will be decided in the duet competitions (technical and free) today.

Katrina and Yhing Huey Deliver For Selangor

BUKIT JALIL (June 10 2011): Another two gold medals were at stake in the solo disciplines at National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil in the women’s Synchronised Swimming event.

Selangor were keen on making amends after finishing outside the medals in the team competition and placed their hopes on Katrina Ann and Lee Yhing Huey.

Katrina did not let her team down as the 19- year-old former Bukit Jalil Sports School students clinched the gold medal with an impeccable routine.

“We were disappointed to have missed out on a podium finish yesterday, I felt we performed well but in the end errors in our timing cost us dearly. I was prepared for a strong challenge today. I would like to dedicate this gold to my team; they have been extremely supportive of me,” said Katrina.

Katrina is part of the ntional team along with her teammate Lee Yhing Huey who was in action in the solo free routine.

Emanuelle Mah started the solo free routine as clear favourite following her success in the team routine yesterday. The 16-year-old who returned home a month ago to train with the Penang team, was looking to make it a hat trick of gold medals.

Howeverit was not to be as Selangor swimmer Yhing Huey put in a near flawless performance to win the goldd. Emanuelle was left to settle for silver while Federal Territory’s Jacqueline Ng took home the bronze.

Yhing Huey who has been in the sport since the tender age of six was absolutely thrilled: “Our target this year is to win as many gold medals as possible, and I’m glad to be able to add to my team’s medal tally.

“The pressure was on me to deliver as Katrina did, but I did not let it get to me. I stayed focused and timed my movements well according to the music,” said Yhing who was inspired by her mom to pick up the sport.

Yhing Huey’s next main objective is to win three gold medals at the SEA Games this November and qualify for the World Championships.

Selangor will be hoping for a third and possibly fourth gold medal tomorrow when their golden girls Katrina and Yhing Huey will partner each other in the duet disciplines.

Synchronised swimmers reap fruits of unwavering commitment

KUALA LUMPUR: They had to shuttle from one venue to another for training for almost two years after their regular place in Penang was closed down.

But the unwavering commitment despite all the troubles paid off handsomely as the Penang synchronised swimmers rejoiced after bagging the first two gold medals at stake in the competition at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The Penang team of Emanuelle Mah, Alyssa Izadora, Cheah Cheng Im, Kok Wan Ting, Leong Jie Xi, Natassha Julian, Nikki Chuah, Tasha Jane, Yew Yun Han and Yew Yun Qing danced their way to the gold medals in the technical and free disciplines.

In the technical routine, they chalked up 179.10 points to finish ahead of Negri Sembilan (172.16) and Kuala Lumpur (132.75). Then in the free routine, they finished tops with 71.50 points ahead of Negri (69.50) and Kuala Lumpur (65.83).

Beauty in water: Penang’s synchronised swimmers performing their gold-medal winning routine yesterday. — GLENN GUAN / The Star

Emanuelle, who is one of the synchronised swimmers training under the national programme in Bukit Jalil, said that they were happy to achieve their mission to capture the gold medals in the team disciplines.

“We are thankful to everyone involved with the synchronised swimming programme in our hometown for helping us to make this possible,” said the 16-year-old, who returned home a month ago to train with the Penang team.

“We made a few mistakes but thankfully, things turned out okay.”

Synchronised swimming was last contested in Sukma when Negri hosted the Games in 2004 and Penang Amateur Swimming Association secretary Soh Yew Siang said the two-gold achievement was just reward for the dedication and hard work put in by the swimmers, coaches and the parents as well.

“We had to fight very hard to justify the funding for a sport that has not been in the Sukma programme for some time,” he said.

“The parents showed their commitment by never failing to sent their children to training despite the uncertainties.

“We also did not have a regular pool to train in as the one in PISA has been closed for almost two years for repairs. We had to move around and to pay to train in private pools.”

There will be another two gold medals at stake in solo disciplines (free and technical) today.

Sukma Games: Katrina Wins Gold In Technical Routine

KUALA LUMPUR: National swimmer Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi (pix)won the solo technical routine gold medal in the Sukma Games at the National Aquatics Centre, Bukit Jalil.

Katrina, representing Selangor, emerged champion with 76.100 points.

Federal Territory swimmer Jillian Ng Siew Mei took home the silver with 72.600 points while Gan Zehn Yu of Negri Sembilan won bronze with 65.400 points.

Katrina, 19, said she was overjoyed by the win as she had waited seven years for the personal achievement.

Synchronised swimming was not contested at Sukma editions in Kedah (2006), Terengganu (2008) and Malacca 2010 due to lack of participation in the event.

Previously, Katrina had won the gold medal at Negri Sembilan Sukma in 2004.

"Although I have taken part in the Commonwealth Games, this Sukma medal means a lot and will inspire me for the SEA Games in Indonesia at the end of the year," she told Bernama.

Katrina who failed to win any medals at New Delhi Commonwealth Games in India last year hopes to do well in Indonesia.

Sukma: S'gor's Synchronised Swimming Achieves Two-Gold Target

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor's synchronised swimming squad bagged another gold medal Friday, hence achieving their two-gold medals target at the Sukma Games.

The medal was contributed by Lee Yhing Huey through the solo free routine event at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Lee collected 73.200 points ahead of Penang's Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, who had to settle for silver medal with 71.800 points, and Jacqueline Ng Siew Fong from Federal Territories, who took the bronze with 67.100 points.

Lee (centre) with Mah (left) and Ng (right) showing off their medals.

The squad's first gold medal was contributed by Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi in the solo technical routine event earlier.

Lee, 19, a national swimmer, said she was happy with her performance and hoped to excel in the duet technical routine and duet free routine Saturday. "Today's competition was quite strong, especially from Emanuelle, who is also a national swimmer," she told reporters. Lee said after the Games, she would focus on the preparation for the World Swimming Championship, scheduled for July in Shanghai, China.

Selangor coach Tony Yap said he would like to congratulate Katrina Ann and Lee for their contributions in achieving the two-gold medals target.

"We hope the squad will be able to win another gold medal tomorrow as a bonus after showcasing excellence performance today," he said.

Penang Turn On The Style

THEY did not even have a decent place to train in their own backyard but the Penang synchronised swimmers showed their class by bagging two Malaysia Games gold medals at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The team were forced to train at one venue after another for two years after their regular training centre was closed for repairs.

That, however, did not stop Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, Alyssa Izadora, Cheah Cheng Im, Kok Wan Ting, Leong Jie Xi Natassha Julian, Nikki Chuah, Tasha Jane, Yew Yun Han and Yew Yun Qing from mesmerising the judges with their well-coordinated routines to win gold medals in the technical and free disciplines.

They performed to the 2010 South Africa Football World Cup official theme song 'Waving Flag' for the technical routine to earn 179.10 points ahead of Negri Sembilan (172.16) and Federal Territories (132.75).

The team then performed to the theme song from the movie Transformers for the free routine to win the title with 71.50 points. Negri (69.50) and Federal Territories (65.83) finished second and third, respectively.

Emanuelle, the team captain, said they were delighted to achieve the two gold medals yesterday.

"We are thankful to everyone involved with the synchronised swimming programme in our state. Our performance was not perfect but thankfully things turned out fine," said the 16-year-old student of Bukit Jalil Sports School, who returned to Penang a month before the Malaysia Games to practice with her state team.

Penang Amateur Swimming Association secretary Soh Yew Siang said his team's opening day performance was a reward for the dedication shown by the swimmers, coaches and the parents.

The event continues with the solo disciplines (free and technical) today.

Read more: Penang turn on the style http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/osduhzsgu/Article/index_html#ixzz1OxaQlEnA

Penang On The Double

KUALA LUMPUR (June 9, 2011): They say there is no place like home but for the Penang synchronised swimming team, there was no place to call home for a long time.

They had to go from venue to venue for nearly two years but the grit and determination showed by the swimmers paid dividends when the islanders bagged two gold medals in the 14th Malaysia Games (Sukma) at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil today.

The Penang team of Emanuelle Mah, Alyssa Izadora, Cheah Cheng Im, Kok Wan Ting, Leong Jie Xi Natassha Julian, Nikki Chuah, Tasha Jane, Yew Yun Han and Yew Yun Qing danced their way to the gold medals in the technical and free disciplines.

They performed to the 2010 South Africa Football World Cup official theme song "Waving Flag" for the technical routine in the morning, garnering 179.10 points to finish ahead of Negri Sembilan (172.16) and Kuala Lumpur (132.75).

Penang adopted the theme song from the hit movie Transformers for the free routine in the afternoon and finished with 71.50 points ahead of Negri (69.50) and Kuala Lumpur (65.83).

"We are thankful to everyone involved with the synchronised swimming programme back in our hometwon for helping us to make this possible," said Emanuelle. "We made a few mistakes but thankfully, things turned out okay," added the 16-year-old, who returned home a month ago to train together with the whole team and is hoping to win a spot in the SEA Games end of this year.

Synchronised swimming last took place when Negri hosted the Games in 2004. There will be two more gold medals at stake in solo disciplines (free and technical) tomorrow..

Results (all finals)
Team free: 1. Penang 71.50, 2. Negri Sembilan 69.50, 3. Kuala Lumpur 65.83.
Team technical: 1. Penang 179.10, 2. Negri Sembilan 172.16, 3. Kuala Lumpur 65.833.