Rayna makes a clean sweep in rhythmic gymnastics

Focused: Rayna Hoh Khai Ling in action during the individual apparatus at the Indera Mulia Stadium in Ipoh.

RAYNA Hoh Khai Ling is the new darling of rhythmic gymnastics.

The Federal Territo­ries athlete was too strong for her competitors as she made a clean sweep of all five gold medals in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).

Rayna, who bagged the team gold on Wednesday together with Iman Alisha Fakhri Yassin, Ng Joo Ee and Jingle Shak Qi, won all four individual apparatus – hoop, ribbon, ball and clubs at the Indera Mulia Stadium in Ipoh yesterday.

Rayna is the second rhythmic gymnast to make a clean sweep of all five golds.

Brenda Yap of FT was the first to do so at the Terengganu Sukma in 2008 by bagging six golds including the all-around event, which is not contested in Perak this time.

The 15-year-old Rayna started the ball rolling by winning the hoop event with a score of 15.300 points, followed by ball with the score of 15.300 points, clubs with 13.600 points and finally the ribbon with 12.600 points.

But the humble and soft-spoken Rayna feels she could have done better.

“I did okay but I feel I could have done better in my scores,” said Rayna.

“I need to train harder as I made a few mistakes in my apparatus in Sukma.

“My coach (Julia Ivanova of Russia) always tells me to maintain good routines in every event and good things will happen.”

“When you execute your routines well, you will get good points. I do not think about winning medals but for me I need to keep improving my routines in every event I compete,” said Rayna, who has won a total of seven golds in two Sukma editions.

In Kuching, Sarawak, two years ago, Rayna bagged golds in team and ribbon events.

This is Rayna’s last Sukma as the age limit for rhythmic gymnastics is 15.

But as for now, she wants to focus her attention to the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Oct 6-18.

Meanwhile, Iman Alisha, the granddaughter of Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin made her family proud by winning one gold, one silver and one bronze.

The 13-year-old Alisha, who made her debut in the Games, won gold in team event, silver in clubs and bronze in hoop.

Alisha thanked her parents – Fakhri Yassin and Fara Rahim – for giving her full support in taking up the sport.

“I dedicate the medals I won to my parents and also my grandfather, who is recovering well.

“I am happy with my performance in Sukma and I aim to become a national gymnast,” said Alisha.

Muhyiddin is recovering following an operation to remove a pancreatic tumour last month.