Sie Yan in right rhythm to lead Malaysia to team gold

KOI Sie Yan (pic) is pumped up and ready to step up to lead her team to the top of the rhythmic gymnastics table.

In the 2018 Gold Coast edition, Sie Yan won three silver medals in team, ball and clubs, and a bronze in ribbon.

The hope is on her to defend the gold won by her senior Amy Kwan Dict Weng, who bid farewell to the Games with a gold in the ribbon.

While it will be nice to win an individual gold, Sie Yan is determined to get it right with Izzah Amzan and debutant Ng Joe Ee in the team final.

“We targeted the team gold at the last Games but we didn’t manage it. At the last Games, Amy brought back the gold, so it was a very memorable moment for us,” said Sie Yan, who hopes to turn the colour to gold this time.

The 23-year-old Sie Yan believed that consistency, persistence and positivity are important during the progress of building routines.

“Doing what the coaches tell us and being consistent during training help build the routines.

“Never give up, you must be very positive every moment you train,” she added.

Sie Yan encouraged more youngsters to be involved in the sport as to continue Malaysia’s good tradition in it.

“In Kuala Lumpur primary schools, we encourage rhythmic gymnastics. From a young age, all can try out gymnastics,” she said.

She said she did not have a favourite apparatus as each of them was special in its own way.

“I like all my apparatus. Each one requires different skills, music and character.”

She also revealed that her hoop routine, set to cha-cha music, and her “funky” ribbon routine would be the ones to watch as Malaysia hunt down the team gold they last won at their home Commonwealth Games in 1998.

The Malaysian team will face stiff competition from Australia and Canada in the team event.