PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian gymnasiums have lost a leading light. Amy Kwan Dict Weng, who used to floor everyone with her dazzling smile and infectious charm, has announced her retirement.
The national rhythmic gymnast is looking to chart a new life path with her dance studio in Kajang.
The 25-year-old, who has served the country since 2008, admitted that retiring at her age had not been the actual plan but she said sometimes, change does happen and she was ready to embrace it.
“I have done well in my rhythmic gymnastics career, managed to overcome most obstacles and give my best to the country, it is not easy to let go of what I enjoyed doing, ” said Amy, who has finished her degree in Economics at Universiti Malaya (UM).
“But it is okay. After almost a month of rest, where I was contemplating whether to move on from the sport or not, I’m now ready and excited to go to my next chapter.
“As I’m on my break, l am happy that I managed to do some master classes and coach the younger gymnasts. I hope to contribute my knowledge and help the younger gymnasts in the future.”
Amy, together with her siblings Peggy and Eva, are running a dance studio called PEAK Dance Studio (PDS). In the studio, she trains young gymnasts.
Amy will take some amazing memories with her. One such memory would be the unforgettable gold medal-winning ribbon routine in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
She went on to win a silver in the team event, and bronze in the all-around and hoops event.
That success saw Amy becoming the first gymnast – male or female – to land the National Sportswomen of the Year since the awards’ inception in 1966.
She also won the Olympian of the Year that year.
In the 2017 SEA Games, the sweet-faced Amy won two golds (team and ribbon), and two silvers (All-around and hoop).
Having been part of the sport for 21 years, Amy said it had really changed and shaped her into a better person.
“It has been my pleasure to be in the national team and serve our country since 2008. There are sweet and bitter memories, yet I appreciate all the moments.
“The biggest dream in my gymnastics career was to compete in Commonwealth Games. I was inspired by Elaine Koon who I was watching on television during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
“I took part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, but won nothing. That totally changed my life and taught me to train harder and stay strong to achieve what I want in the sport. I came back stronger and better in 2018.”
“I would like to thank my family and people who have been by my side when I was down and gave me endless support.”
Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) president Rachel Lau said Amy was by far one of the most determined girls she knew.
“She is an inspiration to a lot of younger athletes, and I hope she will continue to contribute to the sport.
“As a person, she amazes me by her intelligence and also her perseverance and discipline.
“Gymnastics is a tough sport, and when you start at the age of six and train five to six hours a day, you don’t have much of a life outside the sport, so to keep going is a feat in itself!
“Olympian of the Year, Sportswomen of the Year, Commonwealth, SEA Games gold medals – she is by far one of the most decorated gymnasts for Malaysia history, and I hope she will continue to amaze us with her extraordinary feats in whatever she wants to do.”
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