Hua Wei and Zylane miss duet technical routine gold

GAN Hua Wei was in tears after she and Zylane Lee (pic) failed to win the second gold for Malaysia in the synchronised swimming competition at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

The 18-year-old Hua Wei and Zylane treat each other like sisters and they badly wanted to win the duet technical routine gold yesterday.

Cheered on by fans and families, the Malaysian pair performed to the song “Strength of a Thousand Men”, produced by Two Steps From Hell, but could only garner 74.3659 points for the silver – losing the gold by just 0.8132 points.

Debbie Soh-Miya Yong clinched Singapore’s second gold of the SEA Games by posting 75.1791 points while Indonesia’s Anisa Feritrianti-Claudia Megawati Suyanto took bronze with 68.9504 points.

Malaysia’s Chai Jia Yue-Wong Mei Teng were fourth with 68.9187 points.

On Thursday, Hua Wei won gold in the solo technical event while Zylane took silver in the solo free routine.

This is the first time Malaysia failed to win the duet technical gold after their triumphs in Indonesia (2011) and Singapore (2015).

“I really wanted us to win the gold today. We did our best, but this is a subjective sport. Anyway, it’s our best score this season,” said Hua Wei.

“We may have lost to Singapore today but we will fight on in the duet free and team events on Sunday.

“We always support each other. I know how she felt when she (Zylane) did not win yesterday (Thursday).

“I wanted us both to stand at the top of the podium today, but it did not happen.”

Zylane described Hua Wei as “a sister” and revealed that they spend more time together than with their families.

“We began as a pair 18 months ago and trained diligently to this song. We are always together.

“Whenever our coach pressures us, we will always cheer each other up.

“We will pair up again on Sunday in the duet free routine and we hope to strike gold,” said Zylane.