Group gymrama squad awaits green light for world meet

KUALA LUMPUR: After bagging two gold medals at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year, the group exercise rhythmic gymnastics squad wants to continue delivering more honours to the country.

The group has since followed their success by winning a bronze medal at the Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships on May 1.

They have also been in action at the Aphrodite Cup in Greece in March and the Irina Cup in Poland in April, winning a silver medal each for the country.

As the group apparatus category is not competed at the Asian Games in Indonesia in August, coach Eriko Akebayashi hopes the National Sports Council (MSN) will give the go ahead for her girls to participate in bigger tournaments.

Akebayashi felt that there was a need to allow her squad participate in the World Rhythmic Gymnastics scheduled in September in Bandung, Indonesia.

“They have been very consistent since SEA Games and have maintained a winning momentum throughout the year. I hope MSN will support us after being successful in all participating entries.

“Right now we are just waiting for MSN’s permission and budget to participate in the World Championship as the event is not listed in the Asian Games programme,” said the Japanese coach.

Eriko noted that after last year’s SEA Games, the team continued their training early this year to prepare for the Asian Championships.

“The tournament (Asian Championships) is very tough and it was the second largest tournament for group exercise after the World Championships competition,” she added.

Eriko who was satisfied with her girls performance, hoped that MSN would consider their application to compete in the World Championships.

“It will motivate the gymnasts to produce another good performance,” she said.

The national rhythmic gymnastics group apparatus senior squad gave Malaysia a surprise when they won a bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship, held at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur Sports City, on May 1.