Rhythm and bliss: Ng Joe Ee’s success takes Malaysia’s gold tally to six, thus meeting their target.
RHYTHMIC gymnast Ng Joe Ee is the baby of the team but yesterday, she ‘Rock-ed It’ like a pro.
The 17-year-old debutant performed elegantly and confidently to rip the formbook apart to become the first gymnast to win two gold medals for Malaysia in the Commonwealth Games.
Playing to the famous tune by Ofenbach, she nailed it in the ball apparatus with a dazzling and elegant show to earn a massive 29.700 points to finish top and ahead of Suzanna Shahbazian of Canada (29.050) and Anna Sokolova of Cyprus (28.800).
An hour later, she twirled and danced to a catchy melody in the ribbon.
There were anxious moments when Joe Ee dropped the ribbon but instead of panicking, she continued her routine flawlessly, and thanks to the high difficulties in her execution, she was still adjudged the deserving winner with 27.800 points.
Scotland’s Louise Christie finished second with 27.550 points while Carmel Kallemaa of Canada came in third with 27.500.
With her stunning contribution, Malaysia reached their six-gold medal target.
She is also only the third gymnast to win an individual gold after Elaine Koon (hoop, 2010 New Delhi) and Amy Kwan Dict Weng (ribbon, 2018 Gold Coast) since rhythmic gymnastics was introduced at the 1990 edition in Auckland.
A fifth-former at SMK Puteri Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, Joe Ee just could not believe how fantastic her first Commonwealth Games outing had panned out.
“I cried yesterday after finishing fifth in the individual all-around (on Friday). I was disappointed with myself. Today, I cried again, this time tears of joy. I’ve cried so much at this Games,” said the delighted Joe Ee.
There had been so much pressure on Joe Ee and her senior teammates Koi Sie Yan and Izzah Amzan since arriving in Birmingham without their coaches Yulia Ivanova and Lidia Legotina due to restrictions imposed on Russian citizens over the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
They finished fourth in the team event.
“As a first-timer, it was difficult for me without my coaches. I missed them but thanks to technology, we were able to communicate daily. In fact, they reviewed my mistakes from the team and individual all-around and improved my routines before the finals today (yesterday),” said Joe Ee.
“My coaches chose the songs for all my routines. I just enjoy the tunes as they give me the extra motivation to perform.
“Even though it is my first Commonwealth Games, I wasn’t that nervous. I have worked so hard, trying to juggle both my training and studies.
“In fact, even when I dropped my ribbon, I wasn’t too worried. I did not let it affect me, I just wanted to end it well.
“I want to thank my parents, coaches and all who have supported this team.
“I still can’t believe that I’m the first gymnast to win two gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, and that too in my first outing. I’m just so happy,” added Joe Ee, who will now shift her attention to the Asian Games next year.
The other medal winner yesterday was Izzah, who finally won her first Commonwealth Games individual medal when she finished third in the clubs. At the last edition, she was in the team that won silver in Gold Coast.
