Christina Aguilera turns Amy into a fighter

gymnast Amy Kwan almost admitted defeat though her sheer fighting spirit and determination ensured that she finished on the podium with a bronze medal in the individual all-round event at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre at the Commonwealth Games.

Falling behind after two disciplines, hoop and ball, Amy bounced back in the clubs and ribbon to collect a combined score of 51.500 points.

Amy, 23, performed splendidly in the clubs, picking up 14.200 points, and she also did equally well in the ribbons, as she delivered a solid performance which earned her 12.950 points, enabling her to leapfrog Enid Sung of Australia for the bronze medal.

Gold was won by Diamanto Evripidou of Cyprus who recorded a combined score of 55.750 points, while silver was bagged by Canadian Katherine Uchida who amassed 52.650 points.

“After two disciplines, ball and hoops, I knew that I was not performing well enough and I felt down.

“Then I heard my favourite song, ‘Fighter’ by Christina Aguilera which really lifted my spirits and will to do the best I can.

“Our team manager embraced me and that gave me the strength and energy I needed, though I did not think that I could win the bronze medal after recording less than impressive points in the first two disciplines.

“I dedicate this bronze medal to those who have supported and believed in me all this while, thank you,” she said.

Compatriot Koi Sie Yan ended the competition in eighth place, with 48.050 points.

Meanwhile Muhamad Afiq Mohamad Ali Hanafiah made history at the games when he became only the second national para athlete, after Hisham Khaironi who won silver at the 2002 Manchester edition, to win a medal in athletics. He won bronze in the 100m (T12) at the Carrara Stadium yesterday.

Afiq clocked 11.28s to finish third behind South Africans Ndodomzi Ntutu and Hilton Lagenhoven who clocked 11.02s and 11.27s to take the gold and silver respectively.

In the qualifying heats, Afiq broke the national record with a personal best of 11.20s, which enabled him to reach the final.

“I am satisfied as I won a medal, which is just returns for my efforts and sacrifices all this while,” beamed Afiq.

Yesterday, when the highly rated Malaysian divers failed to deliver, Amy and Afiq came up with two bronze medals.