Rhythmic Excellence Unity Academy athletes in the eight to 10 age group. — Courtesy of Rhythmic Excellence Unity Academy.
SOME 600 gymnasts will converge on Titiwangsa Stadium in Kuala Lumpur to showcase their talent, dedication and grace at the inaugural Petrina Cup from Oct 10 to 15.
The Petrina Cup, named in honour of Malaysian rhythmic gymnastics stalwart Petrina Low, stands as one of the largest international gymnastics competitions to be held in Malaysia.
The event will be a boon for rhythmic gymnastics, with teams expected from Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.
Fans will be in for a treat, with up-and-coming grassroots talents as well as world-class athletes entering the fray.
Notably, the Malaysian national team will compete in both individual and group events.
Mexico’s Marina Malpica, who recently made waves at the world championships, will be one of the top athletes to watch out for, and joining her are Malaysia’s Ng Joe Ee, Mavia Wong Weng Qin, Lai Yun Jo, Bernice See Qin Nin, Nicole Cheng Qi Ern and several other rising juniors.
Organiser Rhythmic Excellence Unity Academy (REA), which is run by Low, are keen for this tournament to be more than just a spectacle, serving a deeper purpose to prepare young local talents for the next stage in their careers.
“After the challenges of Covid-19, overseas competition has become prohibitive due to soaring airfares and hesitation from parents, so this event offers a much-needed opportunity for local gymnasts.
“The exposure will serve as a crucial platform for young gymnasts as well as elites to gain invaluable experience, as they won’t just get to see top gymnasts but also compete with them.
“From my experience, overseas competition exposure has a profound effect on an athlete, and I’m grateful that foreign participants are still able and willing to come out here for the event.”
Alongside the main cup is Gym for Life, one of the highlights on the final day of competition.
Petrina Cup project manager Afrita Ariany Nasril, a former national gymnast, described Gym for Life as a massive team event that blended creativity with dance gymnastics.
“It is almost like a theatre performance with the costumes and props that will be used.”
The stakes are high for the event as the winners will advance to World Gym for Life 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal.
“It is a popular event, especially for family members. Although tickets for Gym for Life are sold out, rhythmic gymnastics fans can still watch the performances online,” said Afrita.
“The competition is focused on giving younger athletes experience but will also feature some who are in the international elite category up to the age of 24.”
Organisers are expecting Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to attend the opening and closing ceremonies.
Several former national gymnasts are also expected, including Izzah Hamzah and Koi See Yan, who will perform during the opening ceremony on Oct 12.
Low’s journey into the world of gymnastics began in 1985 after attending a course organised by the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation when she was involved in dance as a teacher at Convent Bukit Nanas in Kuala Lumpur.
Her contribution to the sport over the past four decades led to her current position as vice-president of the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation and deputy president of the Kuala Lumpur Gymnastics Association, as well as a list of awards from royal and government institutions.
On having an event named after her, Low said she had accepted the fact but pointed out it was not about personal glory.
“I am a naturally shy person, but I am also very touched by the support from the grassroots, especially from the parents of gymnasts,” she said.
Low said the important thing was “providing a platform for aspiring gymnasts, building a stronger gymnastics community, and fostering appreciation for the beautiful sport”.
Tickets are on sale at petrinacup.com, and the event will also be streamed via Petrina Cup’s website and social media.
