KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s former rhythmic gymnast stars Thye Chee Kiat, Carolyn Au-Yong, El Regina Tajuddin and Sarina Sundara Rajah reunited in glorious fashion last night – 20 years after winning gold at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
The Malaysian darlings pulled off the biggest surprise at the Putra Indoor Stadium two decades ago by winning the country’s first gymnastics gold at the Games and yesterday, the quartet were inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Hall of Fame for their contribution.
Looking back at their feat, it was Chee Kiat’s last performance in the clubs that made all the difference.
She received 9.500 and Malaysia pipped favourite Canada by merely 0.06 points to win the historic gold.
“Twenty years have passed and I still remember the moment vividly,” said Chee Kiat, who’s now a mother of two.
“It was so close and when the official result was out on the scoreboard, we jumped in joy, hugged each other and cried. The crowd went wild and the atmosphere in the stadium was simply amazing.
“Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was there too and we received the medals from him,” added Chee Kiat, who’s the founder of Pink Clubs Rhythmic Gymnastics Centre.
Carolyn was equally thrilled to relive the moments.
“It’s an honour to be part of this for sure. It’s been 20 years, but it feels like it just happened recently. I was only 16 when we won it,” said Carolyn.
“I’m grateful to be part of this memorable moment.”
Like Chee Kiat, Carolyn too is still involved actively in the sport.
She formed her own gymnastics school – Carolyn’s School of Rhythmic Gymnastics – and has been running it for 12 years now.
“The achievement in the past has really moulded me into the person I am today ... I’m disciplined, determined and confident,” she said.
“Who would have thought that I will be a coach and train young girls to be like myself.”
Also inducted into the Hall of Fame were the all-conquering KL Games 1998 men’s badminton side comprising Wong Choong Hann, Ong Ewe Hock, Yong Hock Kin, Cheah Soon Kit, Yap Kim Hock, Chong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah.
Malaysia claimed the team title and finished 1-2 in the men’s singles and men’s doubles events.
Said Choong Hann, who defeated senior Hock Kin for the singles crown: “It was a privilege to be part of this great team 20 years ago.”
“I was one of the young members in the team, so it was great to have many exemplary seniors to guide me back then,” added Choong Hann, who now hopes to give back to the nation as the coaching director of the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
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