13 MORE GOLD FOR THE TALLY
Cyclists, divers lead the way to edge closer to target
FADHLI ISHAK fadhli.ishak@nst.com.my
NATIONAL divers and track cyclists led the way as Malaysia won another 13 gold at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (KL2017) yesterday. Irwandie Lakasek kicked off proceedings by winning the men’s scratch race at a packed National Velodrom in Nilai.
Shariz Efendi Shahrin, Fadhil Zonis & Khairil Nizam Rasol (men’s team) and Fatehah Mustapha and Farina Shawati Adnan (women’s team) then made it three gold for Malaysia on the day by winning the team sprint competitions.
The divers were in equally commanding form as world champion Cheong Jun Hoong and Ooi Tze Liang eased to the women’s 1m springboard and men’s 10m platform gold’s.
Soufi Rusli and Emma Firyana Saroji won the men’s and women’s lawn bowls singles events, helping Malaysia emerge overall champions in the sport.
Sailors Mohamad Faizal Norizan and Ahmad Syukri Abdul Aziz delivered the International 470 class gold while Muhamad Uzair Amin Mohd Yusof and Naquib Eiman Shahrin won the International 420 class.
National rhythmic gymnast Koi Sie Yan proved she is no flash in the pan after successfully defending her individual all-around gold while teammates Amira Sofiya Amirul Fares, Chan Mei Thung, Koh Jie Yi, Tee Wei Qi, Tee Wei Wen and Thew Yue Jia secured the team hoops gold.
National taekwondo exponent Rozaimi Razali clinched the men’s kyorugi 68kg gold after downing Filipino Arven Alcantara in a nailbiting final while Julian Yee became the first winner of the men’s figure skating competition, which is making its debut at KL2017. Julian Yee in action en route to winning gold in the senior men’s free skating at the Malaysia National Ice Skating Stadium at Empire City in Damansara Perdana yesterday.
With 96 gold left on offer in the competition, Malaysia’s competitors still have a chance — on paper — to overtake though it it highly unlikely.
It is possible that the national contingent could achieve its 111 gold target today as another 29 gold are up for grabs today.