A file picture of Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah. She will be the youngest competitor at the 2014 Moomba Masters in Melbourne from March 5-10.
PETALING JAYA: Reigning Asian waterskiing champion Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah will be the youngest competitor at the 2014 Moomba Masters in Melbourne from March 5-10.
Having clinched the gold medal in the women’s trick category at the 2011 SEA Games in Palembang. Aaliyah is certainly not new to big events.
She turns 11 in July and made her debut on the international circuit at the 2010 Asian Championships in Jakarta.
The Malaysian Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (MWWF) confirmed Aaliyah will be participating in the prestigious tournament.
“I didn’t expect to be invited for the Moomba Masters this soon. This has certainly surpassed my expectations as I was only expecting to compete against the world’s best in the next few years.
“This is overwhelming but I hope I can maintain my composure competing against the likes of Clementine Lucine and Erika Lang who are world champions,” she added.
Ranked 54th in the world, Aaliyah became the youngest competitor in the Under-17 Junior Moomba last year, where she qualified for the finals and finished 7th.
Hanifah Yoong, MWWF’s technical advisor and Aaliyah’s coach and father, does not expect her to finish on the podium but hopes that she will put up a credible performance.
“Her time will come to win but the good news is that she can gain experience from this high profile tournament,” said Hanifah.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
