M'sian Synchro Swimmers Finally Get A Chance To Impress

National synchronised swimmers (from left) Katrina Ann Hadi, Tasha Jane Taher Ali and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey all prepped for the chance at the Asian Games. — IBRAHIM MOHTAR / The Star

National synchronised swimmers (from left) Katrina Ann Hadi, Tasha Jane Taher Ali and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey all prepped for the chance at the Asian Games. — IBRAHIM MOHTAR / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s been almost three years since they last made a big splash – at the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games. No wonder the national synchronised swimmers are itching for action.

The swimmers made a clean sweep of all five gold medals in Palembang and national coach Long Yan was looking forward to building on that impressive performance.

But it never materialised due to several factors.

Firstly, there was little action for the team as the sport was not contested at the Myanmar SEA Games last year and last month’s Glasgow Common­wealth Games.

It also didn’t help that several key members of the SEA Games squad have called it quits in the past two years.

Long-serving Shareen Png left the team after failing to qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.

Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, supposedly the long-term replacement for Shareen, followed suit in August last year to focus on her studies.

So, it is the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, from Sept 19-Oct 4, that will give Long Yan a chance to see how much her team have progressed since the rebuilding process started early this year.

The China coach will field Katrina Ann Hadi with Tasha Jane Taher Ali in the duet technical and with Zylane Lee Yhing Huey in duet free discipline.

“We will go to Incheon aiming to finish in the top five ... that means we have to overcome Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,” said Long Yan.

“It will be an uphill task as these former Soviet nations have a slight advantage in terms of better reputation ... they have competed in more tournaments internationally and often done well.

“Katrina, Tasha and Zylane will have to outdo themselves in Incheon.

“China and Japan are a class above while North Korea and South Korea should battle it out for third place.”

In Guangzhou four years ago, Katrina, Shareen and Zyanne Lee Zhien Huey finished sixth.

Katrina, Tasha and Zylane have only been tested in two events so far this year.

Tasha and Zylane competed in the French Open – finishing 19th in the duet technical and 26th in the duet free.

Katrina and Tasha clinched gold in the duet technical at the SEA Championship in Singapore in June.

The synchronised swimming team will leave for Incheon on Monday.

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.

German Open 2013 - Synchronized Swimming

Date: 8 - 10 Mac 2013

Venue: Indoor Pool Frankenbad Bonn

Gan Zhenyu (5 Commonwealth)

Injured Katrina Will Only Return For Japan Open In May

KUALA LUMPUR: Synchronised swimmer Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi will give next month’s German Open a miss due to injury.

After suffering two ligament tears of her right wrist, Katrina will skip the meet to recover and return for the Japan Open in May.

“I’m really looking forward to competing again in the Japan Open and then the Sukma (June), World Championships (July) and the Asia Pacific Championships (Nov),” said Katrina.

The 21-year-old underwent surgery in mid-November last year, followed by stem cell treatments at the Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre. She has since resumed light training.

“I’m right-handed, so it was really difficult to cope with having just one arm. I was going around with my hand in a cast, strapped to my chest for three weeks. ,” said Katrina who is currently undergoing physiotherapy treatment.

“I’m gaining more flexibility in my wrist now. I’ve been doing some light training .. nothing too strenuous on my wrist. But my coach is worried that I might not make it to the Japan Open because I don’t have full motion of my wrist yet. It usually takes two to three months for us to prepare a routine. So, the focus is now on recuperating as fast as possible.”

Asked about Myanmar’s decision to drop synchronised swimming from the SEA Games in December, Katrina said: “We kind of expected it because Myanmar don’t have a team. We can concentrate on the World Championships now.”

Besides Katrina, the other synchronised swimmers in the national team are Zyanne Lee Zhein Huey, Zylane Le Yhing Huey, Tasha Jane Taher Ali, Emmanuelle Mah Thil Da, Gan Zhen Yu, Gan Hua Wei and Veronica Lee Yiat Lum.

SWIMMING: Trio Flex Muscles To Win Four Gold

KATRINA Ann Hadi and the Lee sisters -- Zylane and Zyanne -- turned in splendid displays to dominate synchronised swimming at the Southeast Asian Championships which ended in Singapore on Monday.

The trio bagged four of the seven gold medals on offer but it could have been a clean sweep if Malaysia had a full representation.

Katrina, who won five gold medals at last year's Indonesia Sea Games, mesmerised the judges with her grace to win the solo technical routine, earning 74.670 points.

The 22-year-old then combined with Zyanne to claim two more gold medals in duet free and technical routines.

The duo were given a tough fight by Singapore's Stephanie-Crystal Yap in the duet free event before prevailing after scoring higher for artistic impression.

Katrina-Zyanne amassed a 74.733 total to edge Stephanie-Crystal, who finished with 70.830.

In the duet technical routine, Katrina-Zyanne were a class above, scoring 75.335 points ahead of silver medallists Stephanie-Crystal (70,830).

Zylane, younger sister of Zyanne, dominated the sole free routine event, posting 70.633 to edge Singapore's Crystal, who scored 70,083, for the gold.

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-Hui Chuen Out To Gain Recognition For Synchronised Swimming

KUALA LUMPUR: Getting more recognition for synchronised swimming will be uppermost in the minds of Katrina Ann Hadi and Png Hui Chuen when they make the plunge in the Olympic qualifier at the London Aquatic Centre starting today.

The duo, with Lee Zhien Huey as the reserve, were not in town to share in the joy of winning the 2011 National Women’s Team Award last night due to their campaign in London.

Katrina and Hui Chuen, who played pivotal roles in helping the synchronised swimming team make a clean sweep of all the five gold medals in the Indonesia SEA Games last year, are hoping to beat the odds to win a place in the Olympics in August.

Synchronised swimming offers eight spots for the team event and 24 for the duet.

Five of the eight quota spots for the team event were determined at the World Championships in Shanghai last year with Britain (host/Europe), China (Asia), Egypt (Afrika), Canada (America) and Australia (Oceania) booking their berths.

These five teams are assured places in the duet as well which means only 19 spots are up for grabs.

Malaysia have never competed in synchronised swimming at the Olympic level and Katrina-Hui Chuen need to finish among the top 16 to get in automatically.

If they fail, there is still a second chance as they will compete in the swim-off for the three remaining places.

Malaysia are only competing in the duet, and not the team event, due to the gap in technical skills compared to the rest of the world.

Katrina and Hui Chuen finished 26th in the last Olympic qualifiers in Beijing four years ago but have since raised their level of difficulties.

National Synchronised Swimming Team Going Great Guns

Story and photos by GRACE CHEN

THE 12 girls that make up the national synchronised swimming team come from all over Malaysia.

The stars, Shareen Png, 27, and Katrina Ann, 19, are from Sarawak and Selangor respectively. Fatin Syazwani, 14, the youngest member is from Negri Sembilan and Mandy Yeap, 22, who has been in the team since 2003, is from Penang.

Naturally, they have done a fair bit of globetrotting. Sisters Zyanne and Zylane Lee, aged 22 and 19 respectively, reveal that their passports bear stamps from China, Thailand, Egypt, Russia, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Switzerland and India.

These girls are the fourth batch of synchronised swimmers to represent the nation since 2001, said Georgie Goh, 47, one of Bukit Jalil Sports School’s (BJSS) teachers.

Pro help: The team’s ‘secret weapon’ dancer, choreographer and actor Loh (in orange), is giving the team ballet and jazz lessons to enhance their stage presence.

The earlier batch, made up a solo and duet, was first formed in 1995. This was after the Canadians introduced the sport in 1992.

Jessie Wong and Jaclyn Chan became the first two Malaysians to represent the country at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Today, Wong is a teacher in Sarawak while Chan runs the Rucksack Inn, a hotel in Singapore.

For the current team, foremost on everyone’s minds is how they will fare in the upcoming SEA Games this November.

“Our chances for gold in Palembang are very high,” said Long Yan, 38, the team’s coach.

In sync: Forming a pattern as part of their routine.

The Hubei native who had represented China at the Olympics in 1996 has been working with them since 2009.

Her predictions are based on the team’s performance at the World Championship last July in Shanghai where they finished 18th position.

Long, whose first task was to form the team when she came in, reveals that she had to recall two members.

Mandy Yeap was asked to rejoin after she left to mourn her father’s demise. By the time of her reappointment, she had bounced back and was ready to swim again.

Yeap was chosen for her technical experience as she had been training with the team since 2003.

Emanuelle Mah, 16, was also recalled. Mah who had left to nurse her injured ankle is the duet partner for Tasha Jane, 16, also from Penang. Mah’s winning point are in her toe curls.

“Choices were limited because there are not many synchronised swimmers in Malaysia. Training a new member would take too long and we needed strong members for the team,” explained Long.

Flying high: Up in the air! Aerial acrobatics like these are part of the team’s routine.

In addition, a ‘secret weapon’ in the form of Loh Wei Jun, 33, dancer, choreographer and actor has been roped in to help the team with performance and stage presence.

“Synchronised swimming is like dancing in water and my role is to add some pizzazz and expression to their routine.

“At the moment the girls are attending ballet and jazz lessons to help them achieve beautiful and elongated lines for added drama and depth,” said Loh, a Boh Cameronian award winner.

Camaraderie-wise, the girls have achieved a cohesive understanding.

“We do not scold each other when something goes wrong. That is the coach’s job. Among us, we thrive on suggestions, not criticism.

“If something goes wrong in a routine, we discuss it when we come out of the pool,” says Zyanne, a petrol chemistry student.

Describing the girls as a focused lot, Loh who has been working with the team for a month now said that the winning formula lies in a good performance.

Currently, the girls train daily from 7am to 8.30am and 3pm to 7pm. To maintain fitness, they jog and undergo core strength exercises with their coach.

For motivation, psychologists from the council take them through visualisation and relaxation techniques.

Eye-catching Swimsuits Herald Our Synchro Team’s Debut

SHANGHAI: The “football theme” swimsuits worn by the Malaysian synchronised swimming team heralded their debut on the World Championships stage at the Oriental Sports Centre yesterday.

The eight-member strong team of Lee Yhing Huey, Lee Zhien Huey, Emanuelle Mah, Tan May Mei, Mandy Yeap, Yeo Pei Ling, Shareen Png and Katrina Ann Hadi were not just decked in orange swimsuits with black stripes but with numbers sewn on their backs.

And Malaysia’s first participation in the team discipline provided good indications that they are on course to do well at the Palembang SEA Games later.

Malaysia ended as the best ranked in the region after the technical display, chalking 72.700 points for 20th spot.

They were ranked ahead of Thailand, who managed 67.400 to finish 21st while Indonesia and Singapore occupied 23rd and 24th spots respectively.

Thailand, Singapore and hosts Indonesia are seen as Malaysia’s biggest rivals as they have continued with the synchronised swimming programme despite it not being in the SEA Games roster for some time.

The team discipline was not in the programme when the sport was last contested at the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2001 and Malaysia looked on course to do well if the results are any indication.

Chinese coach Long Yan, who handles the Bukit Jalil-based swimmers, said they had not participated in the discipline at a major stage for some time.

“The last time we took part in the team event was at the Doha Asian Games five years ago.

“We want to gauge where we stand, especially as the SEA Games will have synchronised swimming this time.”

Synchronised Team Using World Meet To Gauge Ability

SHANGHAI: The synchronised swimming competition starting at the World Championships here today will be a good gauge to see whether Malaysia have what it takes to fight for a place in next year’s London Olympics.

Sukma (Malaysia Games) gold medallist Katrina Ann Hadi is down to perform in the solo technical preliminary in the morning today and will return to partner Shareen Png for the duet technical preliminary later in the day.

Katrina and Shareen will also compete in the team event with Lee Yhing Huey, Xyanne Lee, Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, Tan May Mei, Mandy Yeap, Yeo Pei Ling and Tasha Jane.

“Olympic places are not up for grabs here. There will be a qualification tournament in London in April next year. But we want to see how we perform here as the results will indicate where we stand,” said coach Long Yan, a Chinese in charge of the Bukit Jalil-based synchronised swimming squad.

He believes Malaysia’s best chance of making the grade for the Olympics lies in the duet discipline.

“The solo event is not contested in the Olympics but the duet and team disciplines are.

“We are still relatively new in the team competition compared to the established teams in Asia like Japan and China.

“But I believe we have a chance to prepare the duet pair to fight for a place in the Olympics if they perform well this week,” added Long Yan.

The synchronised swimmers are also using the championships to gauge their form ahead of the Indonesia SEA Games in November.

Synchronised swimming will make a return as a medal sport at the SEA Games after a decade-long absence. Five gold medals will be on offer in Palembang.

Malaysia made a clean sweep of the gold medals when the sport was last held in 2001.

No Medal Rush For Malaysia

ANOTHER DOWNER: Katrina Ann had another bad day yesterday

NEW DELHI: Malaysia's poor showing yesterday pushed their medal standings to seventh spot on the fourth day of the 2010 Commonwealth Games as Australia and India continued their medal haul.

Malaysian athletes took part in 13 finals but only managed a silver medal in shooting — courtesy of Hazli Izwan Amir and Hafiz Adzhar in the 25m rapid fire pistol event.
While it was less productive day for Malaysia, there is a ray of hope today as more athletes would be chasing for medals.

At least 10 Malaysians would be taking part in the finals of their respective disciplines.
Our medal hopes lie in archery, badminton (team event), cycling, shooting, tables tennis, weightlifting and squash where Nicol David would be after her first CWG medal.
Unstoppable Nicol is closer to winning the elusive gold medal after she defeated Australia's Kasey Brown 3-0 in the semifinals yesterday.

"I had been giving her too much to work with," said the five time world champion.
"Once I started firing my drives in and making sure she had to work for the points, it was different."

In the men's singles squash semifinals, Ivan Yeun defeated Scotland's Harry Leitch 15-13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5 making sure of a medal today.

"I feel great. I t's my f irst Commonwealth Games and I had a great experience," he said after the victory.
Meanwhile in the badminton mix team event, Malaysia defeated Singapore in the semifinals 3-1 and would take on India in the finals today.
Athletes would be chasing after 42 gold medals at stake today. Outside the stadiums, the Games is filled with woes and controversies — from choking toilets in the athletes' rooms due to used condoms, malfunctioning CWG website that irked journalists, half empty stadiums and annoying tight security.

Luck was not on Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi's side when she failed to grab a medal due to a small difference in points in the solo event of the Free Routine Synchronised Swimming.
The Malaysian swimmer was placed fifth place collecting 1.333 points behind Australian swimmer Tarren Otte (79.167) who was fourth place while Lauren Smith of Scotland won the bronze (80.333).

Gold Medal Tally Remains At Three

NEW DELHI: Despite adding another gold medal through cycling yesterday, Malaysia's gold medal tally remained at three after three days of action in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

KATRINA ANN: Had a disappointing performance

After a continuous flow of gold medals from the weightlifting arena, there was only a bronze to show yesterday. Out of the 27 gold medals contested today, Malaysia won only one.

The gold medal however, came in controversial fashion as Josiah Ng won the solitary gold medal for Malaysia in the keirin cycling event after Mohd Azizulhasni Awang was disqualified, thus depriving a onetwo finish and a silver.

Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi's performance in the pool was also a disappointing one as she lost out on a medal to her Scottish competitor Lauren Smith and so were Lee Zhien Huey and Png Hui Chuen, as the pair finished fourth in synchronized duet finals.

Malaysia's hopes in boxing also started on a bad note when Muhammad Hafiz Azan Naya was knocked out in the 60kg class qualification bout.

There was some consolation as Muhammad Farkhan made it up to the next round when he defeated Kokole Paneng of Lesotho 8-1 in the men's welterweight (69kg) bout.

A concerned Malaysian chef-demission said Malaysian athletes need to be more "focused and fight hard during competitions".

Malaysia with three gold medals are currently fourth in the table and well off Australia who are leading the table with 22-gold and secondplaced India with nine and England with five.

Hosts India, with home ground advantage and backed by aspiring athletes, continued their medal haul and comfortably placed themselves in second spot behind Australia and remained a force to be reckoned with.

Today, 35 gold medals would be contested and several Malaysians have the possibility of making it to the podium, especially in archery, cycling and squash.

After failing yesterday, Zhien Huey and Hui Chuen will also have another chance to reach the podium when they dive into the pool to compete in the synchronised duet-free routine finals.

Another setback was in the men's hockey when Malaysia lost to Pakistan 4-1 in pool A, Malaysia's second defeat in as many matches, as they had lost to India 2-3 in their opening match.

Nicol David is back to where she was when she experienced her greatest disaster — the semifinals of the Commonwealth Games — secretly determined to atone for what happened four years ago in Melbourne.

Then the world No 1 suffered a shock defeat and failed to win any kind of medal. Now, after yesterday's disciplined 11-5, 11-3, 11-7 win over Laura Massaro of England, she is just two wins away from the only Major title she has never won.

"I had been giving her too much to work with," said the five-time world champion. "Once I started firing my drives in and making sure she had to work for the points, it was different."

Nicol was asked what was different in her now from four years ago when she was sensationally beaten by the Australian Natalie Grinham.

"There's so much," she replied. "I have learned so much. I have definitely been finding myself, and adding a lot of things to my game.

"After the last Commonwealth Games there was such a turnaround in my approach to squash and my career. I took two steps back to find what I needed to do."

Meanwhile, organisers of the Games were still struggling to fill empty stadiums, after Indian fans failed to turn up in great numbers, which had irked Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell.

"We have raised the question on how to get people to come to the stadiums. Only the OC (organising committee) and Kalmadi can answer all these questions. We have put this on the agenda for further discussion," he said.