Negri Show Class To Bag Gold In Team Combination Event

Spectacular performance: Negri Sembilan team in action during the team combination synchronised swimming event at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Negri Sembilan stamped their dominance in synchronised swimming after emerging as the team combination champions of the 16th Sukma (Malaysia Games) at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Performing to a mash-up of the Pirates of Caribbeansoundtrack, the Negri girls were in sync and executed their moves with minimal mistakes to score a total of 70.40 points.

Federal Territories, coached by former SEA Games champion Shareen Png, almost sprang a late surprise as they also delivered a clean performance. They were, however, awarded 70.30 points and had to settle for the silver. Penang took the bronze with a 68.60 total.

It was the Negri team’s third gold with Wong Xin Ying, Tan Jia Jih, Tan Jia Hui, Wong Mei Teng, Ooi Shuang, Chai Jia Yue, Gan Hua Wei, Nur Liyana Nadirah and Nur Faqihah Abdul Halim having earlier won the team technical and team free golds.

The win also meant a great deal to Negri captain Gan Zhen Yu, who was not allowed to compete in the team combination routine because she had already competed in two earlier events – the solo technical and the team technical.

“I am a member of the national team. And having participated in the SEA Games, I can only take part in two events in this Sukma,” explained the 17-year-old Zhen Yu who won three golds at the 2011 SEA Games.

“Thus I had to make a choice and chose to participate in the team technical on Tuesday. But I’m glad our team won the team combination as they worked very hard win the gold. I’m definitely happy for them,” added Zhen Yu.

Negri coach Hu Shuxia was pleased with her charges’ golden show.

“The team will only get better in the future. For the next Sukma, we’ll definitely give more emphasis to the solo and duet events as Tan Jia Jih-Tan Jia Hui and Gan Hua Wei-Chai Jia Yue did well to win the silver in the technical and free duets,” said Shuxia.

Targeting Tans Of Gold

KUALA LUMPUR: Siblings Tan Jia Jih and Tan Jia Hui are petite and shy.

But once they are in the pool, the pair are one formidable talent in synchronised swimming, having performed above expectations in the 16th Malaysia Games (Sukma).

Yesterday, Jia Jih, 15, and Jia Hui, 13, put on a solid show in the technical duet routine to amass a total of 67.90 points to finish second behind the experienced Selangor duo of Katrina Ann Hadi and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Not satisfied, the siblings returned to the pool hours later to help Negri Sembilan clinch another impressive gold medal in the team free routine.

It was their second surprise gold medal, having already won the team technical routine by upsetting the more fancied Penang team.

The Negri Sembilan team, also comprising Wong Xin Ying, Wong Mei Teng, Ooi Shuang, Chai Jia Yue, Gan Hua Wei and Nur Faqihah Abdul Halim and trained by former national coach Hu Shuxia, are certainly a rising force.

Penang, shorn of the likes of national synchronised swimmers Emanuelle Mah and Tasha Jane who are only allowed to compete in two events because of their international experience, could only garner 66.9 points to take silver. Federal Territories took bronze with a score of 64.8.

Yet, Jia Jih, believes that she will only achieve her target when Negri Sembilan win the team combination gold today.

“It’s great to win another gold and the silver with my sister,” said Jia Jih.

“In the 2011 Sukma, we only managed one gold and two silver medals from the team events. So, to win a medal from the duet is a fantastic feeling.

“But we are targetting three golds and we are looking to step it up once more in the team combination event.”

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.

Sukma: Pirates Haul In The Gold For Negri

Winning combination: The Negri Sembilan team en route to the gold medal in the team combination event on Thursday. - M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Negri Sembilan stamped their dominance in synchronised swimming after emerging as the team combination champions of the 16th Sukma at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Performing to a mash-up of the Pirates of Caribbean soundtrack, the Negri girls were in sync and executed their moves with minimal mistakes to score 70.40 points.

Federal Territories almost sprang a late surprise as they also delivered a clean performance. They were, however, awarded 70.30 points and had to settle for the silver. Penang took bronze with a 68.60.

It was the Negri team’s third gold with Wong Xin Ying, Tan Jia Jih, Tan Jia Jih, Wong Mei Teng, Ooi Shuang, Chai Jia Yue, Gan Hua Wei, Nur Liyana Nadirah and Nur Faqihah Abdul Halim having earlier won the team technical and team free golds.

The win also meant a great deal to Negri captain Gan Zhen Yu, who was not allowed to compete in the team combination routine because she had already competed in two earlier events – the solo technical and the team technical.

“I am a member of the national team. And having participated in the SEA Games, I can only take part in two events in this Sukma,” explained the 17-year-old Zhen Yu who won three golds at the 2011 SEA Games.

“Thus I had to make a choice and chose to participate in the team technical on Tuesday. But I’m glad our team won the team combination as they had worked very hard,” added Zhen Yu.

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.

Big Surprise As Negri Bag Team Technical Routine Gold

KUALA LUMPUR: All eyes were on Katrina Ann Hadi on the first day of the Sukma synchronised swimming competition at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

While Katrina didn’t disappoint, winning the solo technical gold, it was the Negri Sembilan team who sprang the biggest surprise by bagging the team technical routine gold.

Led by international Gan Zhen Yu, the team, comprising Wong Xin Ying, Tan Jia Hui, Tan Jia Jih, Wong Mei Teng, Chai Jia Yue, Gan Hua Wei and Nur Faqihah Abdul Halim, were fully focused as they amassed 70.9 points to emerge champions. Favourites and defending champions Penang could only manage 69.7 points to settle for the silver.

Federal Territories, coached by 2011 SEA Games gold medallist Shareen Png, took the bronze after accumulating 63 points.

“It’s a great achievement for us because Penang beat us to the gold in the last Sukma two years ago,” said Negri’s Hu Shu Xia, the coach of the team for the past seven years.

“It was never easy at all to win the gold but my girls trained really hard for it. I think what made the difference this time was that we made a lot of changes in terms of music style and choreography. Penang, on the other hand, pretty much stuck to the same routine they used two years ago.

“I’m really proud to see these girls win ... especially having coached them since they were little and watched them grow up,” added Shu Xia.

Katrina Sizzles In The Pool

Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi choreographed her moves to Lindsey Stirling’s ‘River Flows in You’ on her way to the gold. 

TOP national synchronised swimmer Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi showed no signs of being troubled by her old right wrist injury as she defended her technical solo’s gold medal in a convincing manner today.

The 20-year-old Selangor lass was simply a class above the rest of the field as she amassed a total score of 75.64 to defeat fellow national squad teammate Tasha Jane Tasha Ali (70.24) of Penang and Kuala Lumpur’s Jacqueline Ng Siew Fong (65.24).

She choreographed her moves to Lindsey Stirling’s hauntingly beautiful tune ‘River Flows in You’ and proved to be a delight to watch, as her graceful actions and motion saw her glide through the water with hardly a ripple.

“There is no problem whatsoever with my wrist, it has healed completely since February,” said the winner of five gold medals at the 2011 Palembang SEA Games.

“I would love to conclude my final SUKMA appearance with a bang.

“I could remember when I made my debut in 2004 in Negri Sembilan; I was on double duty for Selangor and eventually won a gold in synchronised swimming and silver in gymnastics – both team events.

“I’m going for one more when I’m back to the pool with Zylane (Lee Yhing Huey) for duet technical tomorrow.”

Katrina with Zylane Lee Yhing Huey.

Zylane, on the other hand, retained her gold medal after pipping arch-rival from Penang, Emanuelle Mah Thil Da – just like two years ago in the free solo’s event to give Selangor a double joy.

She garnered 74.20 points compared to Emanuelle’s 69.90. Foong Yan-Nie (66.20) of Kuala Lumpur was third.

Katrina, Zylane, Emanuelle and Tasha – all members of national team – are allowed to compete only in two events. Emanuelle will partner Tasha for the duet free tomorrow.

Without the four, it paved way for more exciting competition in the team technical event, which was won by Negri.

The team led by national squad member Gan Zhen Yu, amassed 70.90 to exact sweet revenge over the previous edition champions Penang (69.70), who were clearly missing the absence of talismanic Emanuelle and Tasha, beating them by a mere 1.2 points.

Kuala Lumpur took the bronze with 69.00 points.

Negri’s Chinese coach Hu Shuxia, who trained the team for seven years could not hide her delight following the win.

Shuxia, who is also a former national coach for three years, said: “It was a hard fought victory. The girls have finally earned the victory they deserved, I’m happy for them.

“It was the exactly the same line-up that lost to Penang two years ago in both team technical and team free. They were so determined to be the better team this year and they have done it.”

Synchronised Swimming: Negri Upset Penang To Win Team Technical Gold

Dazzling: Negeri Sembilan team on their way to winning a surprise gold in the team technical routine.-M.AZHAR ARIF/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Negri Sembilan sprang the biggest surprise by bagging the team technical routine gold in the first day of the synchronised swimming event of the 16th Sukma (Malaysia Games) at the National Aquatic Center, Bukit Jalil today.

Led by international Gan Zhen Yu, the team, who also comprised Wong Xin Ying, Tan Jia Hui, Tan Jia Jih, Wong Mei Teng, Chai Jia Yue, Gan Hua Wei and Nur Faqihah Abdul Halim, were fully focused as they amassed 70.9 points to emerge champions.

Favourites and defending champions Penang could only manage 69.7 points to settle for the silver.

Federal Territories, coached by 2011 SEA Games gold medallist Shareen Png, took the bronze after accumulating 63 points.

“It’s a great achievement for us because Penang beat us to the gold in the last Sukma two years ago,” said Negri’s Hu Shu Xia, the coach of the team for the past seven years.

“It was never easy at all to win the gold but my girls trained really hard for it.”

Earlier, top synchronised swimmer Katrina Ann Hadi of Selangor stamped her mark in the pool by winning the solo technical gold.

She scored a total of 75.64 to hold off Penang’s Tasha Jane who only managed 70-24. Federal Territories’ Jacqueline Ng Siew Fong took bronze.

Selangor also enjoyed a grand double as Zylane Lee Yhing Huey won gold in the solo free routine. She amassed 74.2 points to pip Penang’s Emanuelle Mah Thil Da and FT’s Foong Yan-Nie who took silver andbronze respectively.

Selangor Name 10-member Synchronised Swimming Squad

How is this. The swimmers displaying their routine

THE Selangor synchronised swimming squad are in the final lap of their training programme for the Malaysia Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Selangor have named a 10-member squad, including two internationals — Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey — for the competition to be held at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil from June 29 to July 7.

Both Katrina and Zylane, as members of the national squad, are based in Bukit Jalil and join their teammates at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre in Shah Alam regularly.

The others in the team are Nur Amira Amiruddin, Kimberly Yap Jie Yee, Michellyn Jane, Ng Lyn Sze, Lai Nicole, Sharifah Zarifah Syed Sharifuddin, Tan Wei Yi and Kwong Zhi Kei.

Selangor have also secured the service of Song Yi-xin from China since last August. Yi-xin comes with excellent credentials and had taken part in several national competitions in China.

Selangor team manager Tony Yap said under the watchful eyes of Yi-xin, the Selangor synchronised swimmers were showing excellent commitment.

“The training programme has been intensive with the coach spending about three to four hours daily with the trainees. They train six days a week. They have also been getting impressive results in local and international competitions,’’ said Tony.

In the National Age group championships in Paroi, Wei Yi won a bronze medal in the solo event (11-12 years) and Kimberly and Michellyn also won a bronze in the duet (15-17 years).

Selangor also sent a team to take part in the Macau Open age group synchronised swimming championships last month. Selangor won a silver medal in the team free event and a bronze in the combo.

Tony said they had reasons to be happy as the overall results were impressive.

“The swimmers had excellent points. The points, they scored, showed that they had improved under the guidance of Yi-xin,’’ he added.

Selangor have been winning gold medals in the Malaysia Games. At the last games in 2011, Selangor won three gold and a bronze medal. Katrina (solo tech) and Zylane (solo free) won the individual golds and combined to win the gold in the duet tech. The bronze came in the combo team.

There are seven golds at stake in this year’s Malaysia Games. But as per the rules, Katrina and Zylane, who had represented Malaysia in the last SEA Games in Indonesia, are eligible to take part in two events. Katrina will be starting in the solo tech while Zylane in the solo free. Katrina and Zylane will join hands for the duet tech.

Tony said they were not prepared to predict their target in the Malaysia Games.

“Of course we have both Katrina and Zylane in the team. They have the experience and skills to deliver. They will also be an inspiration to the younger swimmers. We are also looking at the Malaysia Games as a platform to expose our junior swimmers.

“The majority of them are first timers and eligible to represent Selangor in the 2015 and 2017 Malaysia Games. The experience gained this year will certainly help the young swimmers.

“The Selangor State Sports Council has also been supporting the Selangor synchronised swimming training programme. Without their assistance, it will be difficult for us to implement the training programme,’’ said Tony.

Yi-xin said the swimmers were hardworking and and prepared to train with commitment.

“But synchronised swimming is a demanding sport. There is always room for progress. The swimmers cannot afford to relax or take it easy. My expectations are quite high but I see a lot of potential in the young swimmers,’’ said Yi-xin.