Adam-antly done (AUGUST 19 - 30)
Youngest family member keeps proud tradition going with unexpected gold
WATER skiing is the sport of choice in the Hanifah Yoong household.
It’s not surprising then to see the youngest member of the family – nineyearold Adam Yoong Hanifah – keep the proud tradition going by claiming a completely unexpected SEA Games gold in the men’s tricks.
Defending champion Febrianto Kadir of Indonesia ruled himself out of contention for the gold with two falls to finish with 3,140 points at the Putrajaya Lake yesterday.
Another strong contender from Indonesia – 16yearold Dimas Ridho Suprihono – also put up a shaky performance for only 3,440 points.
Up stepped Adam. The nineyearold performed like a pro on both runs to finish with a 3,860point total.
Adam’s brother – 11yearold Aiden, who was the overnight leader after posting 3,900 in the preliminary round – then had the chance to win the gold.
Unfortunately for Aiden, the pressure got to him and he fell on both his passes to earn only 2,790 points. That handed the gold to Adam.
Dimas took the silver and Febrianto the bronze.
The win makes Adam the youngest gold medallist in the 29th edition of the Games.
Older sister Aaliyah, however, holds the record for the youngestever Malaysian gold medallist, having won the tricks gold in 2011 aged eight.
Adam, who celebrated by running straight to his schoolmates in the crowd, was delighted to be standing on top of the podium. “I’m really happy right now.
“This is my first gold in the SEA Games,” said an excited Adam.
“I wasn’t thinking about beating anyone’s scores today. I just went out there hoping to do my best.
“So I’m surprised and really happy to find out that I’ve won after it ended.”
Adam’s surprise gold means Malaysia finished with a 412 haul – a step up from the 223 finish in Singapore two years ago.
Malaysia’s best finish was a 431 haul at the 2011 Palembang Games.