National gymnast Jeremiah hurts ankle during venue test

NATIONAL gymnast Jeremiah Loo (pic) has suffered a minor hiccup just days before the men’s artistic competition begins.

The 20-year-old, who clinched a surprise silver medal in the horizontal bar at the 2015 Singapore SEA Games, injured his ankle during a control test at the MiTEC Hall 9 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The four-day men’s artistic gymnastics competition starts tomorrow, but team manager Azmi Hasan was quick to dismiss any fear of a withdrawal.

“This is what we feared most – last-minute injuries. We tested the venue for the first time and Jeremiah hurt his ankle,” said Azmi.

“Luckily, it’s not serious. He has put ice on his swollen ankle.

“The podium is new and it’s quite hard.”

Jeremiah is one of six gymnasts for the SEA Games but the only one to have won a medal at the SEA Games. The others joining him in the hunt for medals are Tan Fu Jie, Chau Jern Rong, Abdul Azim Othman, Azroy Amierol Jaafar and Zul Bahrin Mat Asri.

Azmi said that it would be a huge success if Malaysia can steal even one gold medal in men’s artistic.

“Vietnam are the heavy favourites. Indonesia too have a few good gymnasts while the Philippine are here with their Japanese coaches. They too are looking good,” said Azmi.

“Our boys have trained hard. I just hope they can stay injury-free and put up a formidable show.”

The men’s team used to be a dominant force in the early 2000s through the likes of Ng Shu Wai and Loke Yik Siang.

The last gold delivered by the men came from Ooi Wei Siang when he finished joint-winner with Vietnam’s Pham Phuoc Hung at Korat 2007.