Birmingham boost will help Joe Ee do well, says Sarina

PETALING JAYA: No hurdle should be too big for national rhythmic gymnast Ng Joe Ee (pic).

And that’s why former national rhythmic gymnast Sarina Sundara Rajah has encouraged Joe Ee to reproduce the same form that saw her winning two golds in ball and ribbon events at last year’s Birmingham Commonwealth Games at the Asian Games despite a stellar cast.

China, Japan and Kazakhstan are seen as the heavy favourites to sweep the medals in Hangzhou when the Games starts on Saturday.

“Joe Ee had done so well at the Commonwealth Games and we’re proud of her,” said Sarina.

“I competed in the 2002 Busan edition, the standard was high. So, it will be challenging for Joe Ee. I hope she will get into the top five at least.

“I know all athlete want to do their best to make the country proud and I hope that she will focus on what she has to do and enjoy the performance, who knows maybe she will win medal.”

The 17-year-old Joe Ee is the only representative in the rhythmic competition at Asiad.

She will leave for South Korea to undergo a two-week training camp in order to polish up her performance before competing against a world-class field in Hangzhou at the Huanglong Sports Centre Gymnasium from Oct 6-7.

Said team manager Keoh Lay Khuan: “She is a confident gymnast. The aim is to secure a top eight finish in the ball apparatus and reach the finals of the individual all-around and other apparatus events.”

At the last month’s World Championships, Joe Ee scored 80.900 points to finish 53rd out of 80 gymnasts in the individual all-around in Valencia, Spain.