Silver for Malaysia in team synchronised swimming (updated)

The national synchronised swimming team performing their routine at the Singapore SEA Games. - S.S. KANESAN/ The STAR

SINGAPORE: After sweeping all five gold medals in synchronised swimming in the SEA Games four years ago in Indonesia, a repeat of such was simply not realistic for Malaysia.

Despite having the experienced Katrina Ann Hadi and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey in their ranks, the Malaysian side could only secure a silver in the team free and technical routine event on Wednesday night.

Having fallen behind to hosts Singapore during the technical routine on Tuesday, Malaysia needed a big score in the free routine to turn their fortunes around.

It was not to be.

Despite a spirited effort, they could only score 74.167 points in the free routine for a total of 146.5204.

Singapore posted 74.345 points in the free routine for a total of 150.8445 to take home their first-ever synchronised swimming gold medal - much to the delight of the home crowd.

Indonesia took the bronze with a total of 138.1796 points.

“I think we did a lot better in the free routine compared to the technical routine and the team gave it their best,” said Katrina.

“We expected this because based on recent results, we have been slightly behind Singapore in team events.

“It was also pretty hard to catch Singapore since we were quite far behind after the technical routine so a silver is still a good result.”

The duo of Katrina and Zylane however are still on course to deliver Malaysia’s first gold medal at the biennial Games from the duet technical and free routine event.

The pair were dazzling in the free preliminary routine on Wednesday, racking up a total of 76.333 points to finish ahead of Singapore’s Stephanie Chen-Crystal Yap and Natalie Chen-Debbie Soh.

Only the top six pairs from a total of eight combos will progress to the final and the experienced Malaysians look good to win gold.

“I think there’s definitely more pressure in the duet event compared to the team event. I’m just hoping that we get enough rest in order to have a good swim tomorrow,” said Katrina.