NATIONAL artistic gymnastics captain Rachel Yeoh Li Wen led her team to secure their spot in today's team final in style after they finished fifth in the women’s team qualifiers at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Tuesday (Sept 22).
The 27-year-old Rachel attempted a new routine in the uneven bars and went on to better her personal record – scoring 14.000 to eclipse her previous best of 13.800 at the Commonwealth Games qualifiers in July.
“Rachel put in a really strong performance. She debuted a new routine and surpassed her personal record,” said coach Ng Shu Wai.
Making their Asiad debuts, Rachel and teammates Cadence Teh Zi Qi, Nicole Wong Ziyi, Yap Kang Xian and Marissa Zaiful Azlan scored a combined 147.864 points to advance within the top eight at the Nagoya City General Gymnasium.
Shu Wai, however, remains cautious of the tough competition ahead, particularly from defending champions China, who qualified in second place with 165.697 points.
“Each mistake tomorrow will cost one point. So the girls need to be careful not to throw away any points,” Shu Wai said.
“It could go down to the wire for a podium spot.”
Besides the team event, three-time SEA Games gold medalist Rachel also qualified for the individual uneven bars final with her fifth-place finish.
Kang Xian and Marissa also advanced to the vault final, finishing sixth and eighth, respectively.
Both individual finals are scheduled for Thursday (Sept 24).
RESULTS
Women
Team: 1. Japan 166.363 points, 2. China 165.697, 3. North Korea 159.595. Selected: 5. Malaysia 147.864.
Vault: 1. Yeo Seo-jeong (Kor) 14.466, 2. An Chang-ok (Prk) 13.900, 3. Du Siyu (Chn) 13.433. Selected: 6. Yap Kang Xian 13.049, 8. Marissa Zaiful Azlan 12.849.
Uneven Bars: 1. Misa Nishiyama (Jpn) 14.533, 2. Zhang Qingying (Chn) 14.266, 3. Ke Qinqin (Chn) 14.100. Selected: 5. Rachel Yeoh Li Wen 14.000, 17. Yap Kang Xian 12.166, 19. Cadence Teh Zi Qi 11.833.
Balance Beam: 1. Qiu Qiyuan (Chn) 14.833, 2. Pak Un-jong (Prk) 14.466, 3. Mana Okamura (Jpn) 14.300. Selected: 19. Yap Kang Xian 12.266, 20. Rachel Yeoh Li Wen 12.200, 24. Nicole Wong Ziyi 11.900, 33. Cadence Teh Zi Qi 11.400.
Floor Exercise: 1. Aiko Sugihara (Jpn) 13.700, 2. Misa Nishiyama (Jpn) 13.433, Ke Qinqin (Chn) 13.366. Selected: 19. Yap Kang Xian 12.400, 25. Cadence Teh Zi Qi 11.900, 31. Marissa Zaiful Azlan 11.633.
