Feverish Aaliyah fighting to be fit

WATER skier Aaliyah Yoongg Hanifah’s hopes of a goldenn flourish is in jeopardy.

The 14-year-old, who is targeted to win at least two gold medals, was down with high fever on Wednesday.

Aaliyah, who bagged two golds at Singapore 2015, skipped training yesterday in a bid to recover before her first event today – the overall preliminaries.

“I had fever yesterday (Wednesday). It was up and down between 37ºC (normal) and 39ºC,” she said.

“I went to the doctors earlier today (yesterday). My temperature was still 38.5ºC and I was advised to take an ice bath.

“It’s really bad timing for me to fall sick just before the competition starts. I still feel a little weak, but I hope to be ready tomorrow.”

Malaysian Waterski and Wakeboard Federation ( MWWF) head coach Hanifah Yoong admitted that “Aaliyah is not in the best condition”.

“It’s not a good sign because she was bedridden this morning and I’ve got her to remain at the hotel to rest,” said Hanifah.

“She feels she’s still capable of starting in her event tomorrow (today) and I know she will surely try her best. I’m hoping that the fever will go away before her pet event – tricks – on Aug 28 and 29.”

It is certainly a big blow as a fit Aaliyah is almost a shoo-in for the overall gold medal.

She is also untouchable in tricks and has the potential to challenge for gold in slalom and jump.

Besides Aaliyah, the other members of the water ski squad are her brothers Aiden and Adam, Syahir Nasir, Mohd Haziq Zohari and Nur Nadiah Hanani Nasir.