M'sian synchro swimmers finally get a chance to impress

National synchronised swimmers (from left) Katrina Ann Hadi, Tasha Jane Taher Ali and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey all prepped for the chance at the Asian Games.

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s been almost three years since they last made a big splash – at the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games. No wonder the national synchronised swimmers are itching for action.

The swimmers made a clean sweep of all five gold medals in Palembang and national coach Long Yan was looking forward to building on that impressive performance.

But it never materialised due to several factors.

Firstly, there was little action for the team as the sport was not contested at the Myanmar SEA Games last year and last month’s Glasgow Common­wealth Games.

It also didn’t help that several key members of the SEA Games squad have called it quits in the past two years.

Long-serving Shareen Png left the team after failing to qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.

Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, supposedly the long-term replacement for Shareen, followed suit in August last year to focus on her studies.

So, it is the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, from Sept 19-Oct 4, that will give Long Yan a chance to see how much her team have progressed since the rebuilding process started early this year.

The China coach will field Katrina Ann Hadi with Tasha Jane Taher Ali in the duet technical and with Zylane Lee Yhing Huey in duet free discipline.

“We will go to Incheon aiming to finish in the top five ... that means we have to overcome Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,” said Long Yan.

“It will be an uphill task as these former Soviet nations have a slight advantage in terms of better reputation ... they have competed in more tournaments internationally and often done well.

“Katrina, Tasha and Zylane will have to outdo themselves in Incheon.
 
“China and Japan are a class above while North Korea and South Korea should battle it out for third place.”

In Guangzhou four years ago, Katrina, Shareen and Zyanne Lee Zhien Huey finished sixth.

Katrina, Tasha and Zylane have only been tested in two events so far this year.

Tasha and Zylane competed in the French Open – finishing 19th in the duet technical and 26th in the duet free.

Katrina and Tasha clinched gold in the duet technical at the SEA Championship in Singapore in June.

The synchronised swimming team will leave for Incheon on Monday.