Speed demon (AUGUST 19 - 30)
Anja promises more after golden feat
“THERE’s more to come.”
That’s the promise Anja Chong has made to fans after getting Malaysia off to a flying start in the short track speed skating at Empire City Mall in Damansara Perdana.
The 23-year-old came out tops in the women’s 500m race by clocking 48.448 seconds yesterday.
Thailand’s Vorravalan Leechinnaphat (53.293) took the silver and Singaporean Cheyenne Goh (1:05.581) the bronze.
Ashley Chin could have made it a 1-2 for Malaysia after finishing second but she was disqualified for impeding Cheyenne.
Anja was pleased that her hard work paid off.
“It’s really emotional for me when I was up there (on the podium). I was crying because I have put in so much hard work.
“So, that moment of standing up there with the gold and finally having accomplished it ... the feeling was just so overwhelming.”
Anja stressed that she’s not yet the region’s No. 1 “just because I won an event”.
That’s why she’s aiming for more glory when she takes part in today’s 1,000m event and the 3,000m relay with Ashley, sister Nadja and See Wan Ni.
“I hope to come back even stronger and show that there’s so much more that Malaysia can achieve,” said Anja.
It was a day to forget for Wong De-Vin in the men’s 500m race. Despite finishing second, he found himself being disqualified alongside third-placed finisher Teerasak Boonpok for impeding.
Thailand’s Triphop Thongngam clinched the gold in 44.076 and Indonesian Steavanus Wihardja (1:13.456) took the silver.
As a result of two disqualifications in the Final A, Malaysian Ariff Rasydan Fadzil was awarded the bronze by virtue of being the Final B winner.
Ariff cruised to victory in 45.778 – two sec- onds ahead of Singapore’s Miki Chong (47.016).
“I never thought I would win a medal after failing to make the Final A. I guess I’m just lucky,” said Ariff.
“I think I deserved it. I never gave up and still did my best to win the Final B. This medal will spur me to do better in my next two events tomorrow (today).”