Gold’s Made for You
Sie Yan on song as she grabs individual all-around title
RHYTHMIC gymnast Koi Sie Yan bedazzled the crowd – and the judges – in the hoop event to the blaring melody of “Made for You” by One Republic.
“My coaches chose this song specially for me. I believe that this SEA Games is indeed made for me,” declared the 18-year-old Sie Yan after winning her second gold – the individual all-around – at the Malaysian Trade and Exhibition Centre (MiTEC).
She had steered the team to a gold on Saturday.
Yesterday, Sie Yan gave another flawless performance in hoop, clubs, ball and ribbon to defend the individual all-around title by raking in a total of 63.150 points.
She was consistent in every apparatus but stole the show in the hoop by scoring a personal best of 16.600 points.
Her senior, Amy Kwan Dict Weng, made it a glorious 1-2 finish for Malaysia when she took the silver with 60.100 points.
Singapore’s Tong Kah Mun took the bronze with 52.900 points.
Sie Yan, who was the joint gold medallists in the individual all-around in Singapore two years ago with compatriot N. Shasangari Sivaneswary, has promised to deliver more golds.
“I’m thrilled with my hoop execution. I scored the highest mark for it – the best in my career,” said the pre-univerity student from Bukit Jalil Sports School.
“I was more motivated and performed con- fidently because the fans were all cheering for me so loudly. Even my childhood friends from Kuantan turned up!
“I have four more finals to go tomorrow (today). I want to do even better to make it the best SEA Games for rhythmic.”
The 22-year-old Amy, happy with the 1-2 by Malaysia, has vowed to step up in the hoop and ribbon apparatus finals today.
“Firstly, I must thank my mother for making all my leotards. She painstakingly attached the diamond beads to add glitter and colour to my outfit. It took her three weeks to complete it,” said Amy.
“I’m not done yet, though. I have two more finals and I’ll try to add more medals,” said the Universiti Malaya second-year economics student.
There was more joy for Malaysia when Thew Yue Jin, Chan Mei Thung, Koh Jie Yi, Tee Wei Qi, Tee Wei Wen and Amira Sofiya Amirul Fares bagged the group exercise five hoops gold.
The team did well to accumulate 63.150 points. Singapore (14.400) were second and the Philippines (10.650) third.
This was sweet revenge for Malaysia, having played second fiddle to Singapore two years ago.