Sabah team win Silver Award in Korean gymnastics meet
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahan Gym For Life gymnasts from the Sabah Gymnastics Association (SGA) made Malaysia proud when they were awarded the Silver Award for Best Performance Category in the 9th International Happy Gymnastics Festival in Suwon, Korea on September 15 and 16 with their ‘The Gongmaker’ piece.
This annual event was organised by the World Exercise Gymnastics Institute (WGEI) Korea. SGA Gym For Life team started taking part such contests since 2014 but this was the first time they participated in Gym For Life in Korea.
This Asian international event brought in a total of 41 groups from Korea, Japan, USA and the only solo team from Malaysia, SGA.
Team manager Florence Fung said she was satisfied with the gymnasts’ hard work and commitment, especially from those who were weeks away from their UPSR and PT3.
She also expressed gratitude for support from the SGA, especially from its president Dr Judy Mahibol, the Sabah Sports Council and also the dedicated parents.
Fung also thanked the private companies and individuals who assisted them financially.
Nittaidai Gymnastics Group from University of Nittaidai Japan, who sent five teams for this event, swept the five Gold Awards up for grabs. Nittaidai was headed by Araki Tatsuo, the Vice-President of Gymnastics For All, International of Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and President of Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU).
Araki was immensely captivated by the Gymnastics and Dance concept brought by SGA and has extended an invitation for the team to join them in the 16th World Gymnaestrada in 2019 in Dornbirn, Austria in their ‘Japanese Evening with Asian Friends’ two-hour programme.
WGEI director Professor Han Yoon Soo also expressed hopes that the SGA will continue joining their annual event to foster goodwill and friendship among gymnastics countries, especially in Asia.
The Sabah Gymnastics silver medallists who made Sabah and Malaysia proud comprise Alsandair Roikin Wellson, Zovi Tie Yu Pei, Avy Rosabel Misek and Carissa Claire LRM Cherles from SM All Saints KK; Karmila Brittany Lee and Shanne Alyssa Bonaface Godfrey (SM St Francis Convent); Cathryn Mia Lojitan and Katyana Nefrnity Lee (Kian Kok Middle School); Brittany Carolina Yayun, Joshlyne Anne Ubu, Hazel Meyriel Alban and Viollete Clarabelle Christer from SK St Francis Convent KK; Annastasya Kienna Japlin (SJK(C) Yuk Yin, Keningau), Natalya Kelsie Lojitan (SJK(C) Hwa Siong Putatan), Amiira Ahmad Nordin (SK Sri Gaya), Eden Gabrielle Sigar and Nivolet Nychel Ronny (SK Kolombong), Jareth Corneille Ubu (SJK(C) St James KK), Nur Fatihah Khalisah binti Azhari (SK St Agnes Likas) Brenna Venita Simonddy (UMS), Lavender Miriam Lee and Eve Clarissa Cassandra LRM Cherles (Politeknik KK) and Abel Tie Xian Hao (Eu Yan Sang Company).
Last year in July, Sabah Gym For Life Team also participated in the 3rd World Gym For Life Challenge in Norway. Their performance, entitled ‘Kaleidoscopes of Borneo’ was awarded the Silver Award in this event.