BANGKOK: It was not a happy outing for the rhythmic gymnastics team. Not only did they fail to achieve the two-gold target, they were also shocked by Ng Joe Ee’s sudden decision to call it quits at the age of 20.
Joe Ee, who had been hoping to win gold in her last outing, was also left disappointed after finishing with a bronze in the individual all-around.
In the group exercise, the team of Valerie Ng, Bernice See, Syamimi Amalia Shahrizam, Carol Na, Lim Yar Xian were upset at being robbed of the gold, finishing second to hosts Thailand.
Malaysia had won the event in three consecutive editions in 2017 (Kuala Lumpur), 2019 (Manila) and 2021 (Vietnam).
Rhythmic gymnastics was not held in the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
“Overall, we are not satisfied with the results this time around,” said team manager Afrita Ariany Nasril.
“Our gymnasts did not deserve to be robbed of the gold in the group exercise event. The scores for the hoop and ball were not what they are supposed to get.
“We did protest but we could not overturn the judges’ decision. Thailand were instead awarded more points.”
“We targeted two golds but we only managed to win one in the end,” added Afrita.
The rhythmic gymnastics team returned home with one gold, two silvers and a bronze.
The team also won silver in the five ribbon event.
Artistic gymnasts, however, fared better.
Mohd Sharul Aimy, Rachel Yeoh and debutant Yeap Kang Xian were the standout performers. Sharul and Kang Xian captured their maiden Games titles in the men’s vault and women’s balance beam respectively.
Rachel also defended her uneven bars crown won in the 2021 edition. The event was not held in 2023.
Sharul and Kang Xian also bagged bronze in the men’s pommel horse and women’s vault respectively while Luqman Al Hafiz won silver in the men’s floor.
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