San shines for MGF
New rhythmic star wins historic all-around individual medal
PETALING JAYA: New rhythmic star Wong Poh San has lifted the pall over gymnastics by becoming the first Malaysian to win an all-around individual bronze medal at a top international tournament.
Three months ago, Malaysia experienced their worst result at the SEA Games in Indonesia when none of the gymnasts won a gold medal for the first time since the 1985 Bangkok Games.
On Sunday, the 16-year-old Poh San, who is in her first senior year, brought the shine back when she amassed a total of 103.025 points to finish third in the individual all-around final in the Deruigina Cup in Kiev, Ukraine.
The competition was held concurrently with the second leg of the World Cup series at the same venue.
Anna Trubnikova of Russsia emerged winner with 104.050 points while Tetyana Zahorodnya of Ukraine (103.300) was second.
The Malaysian’s high quality execution impressed the coaches and helped her finish ahead of several other Russian and Ukranian competitors.
Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) secretary N. Shanmugarajah said they were thrilled with Poh San’s breakthrough.
“It gives us hope. This is a big event participated by top European gymnasts. For us, winning a bronze medal in this international meet for the first time is a big achievement,” he said.
Poh San is a new recruit under the MGF’S 2014 project squad.
Her younger team-mates also did reasonably well in the Pacific Rim Championship in Everett, Washington, over the weekend.
The trio of Fatin Zakirah Zain Jalany, Ooi Emma and Tai Qing Tong finished seventh out of 10 teams. Fatin was the top performer, placing fourth in the hoop (23.150) and sixth in the individual allaround (87.075).
Said Shanmugarajah: “The rhythmic programme is shaping up well and these young gymnasts will continue to compete in several tournaments in Europe. As for the men and women’s artistic, we are rebuilding the team.”