Amy striving to raise the bar at second C’wealth Games
PETALING JAYA:
Rhythmic gymnast Amy Kwan Dict Weng wants to go one step better in her second Commonwealth Games.
The 22-year-old Amy and three other Podium Programme athletes – Koi Sie Yan, N. Shasangari Sivaneswary and Izzah Amzan – are currently gearing up for the Games in Gold Coast, Australia, in April.
Amy is the only member of the team that won a bronze at the 2014 edition in Glasgow, Scotland.
“We’ve a stronger team and better facilities. And if we perform to our true capabilities, we can achieve better results,” said Amy. Malaysia last won the team gold through Carolyn Au-Yong, Thye Chee Kiat, El Regina Tajuddin and Sarina Sundara Rajah at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Elaine Koon is the only gymnast to have won an individual gold at the Games – in New Delhi in 2010.
Amy said that she is now working hard on her fitness.
“I’ve been competing for a long time and it’s time to raise the difficulties in my routines. That means I’ve to be fitter,” she said.
“I’m already in my 20s while the others are younger. It’s been tough training for long hours doing the same routines.
“You have no choice but to do the same thing again and again until it is perfect. I have to be fit to handle it and it also helps from getting injured.”
Her life is not all about training as she also has time to unwind.
“I like to spend my weekends at home with my family. Sometimes, I go cycling and hike up Broga Hill (in Semenyih) with my siblings.
“Whenever I feel stressed or tired, I’ll go to higher ground to chill out. The night view, the cool air ... it just makes me feel rejuvenated.”
This year, Amy did well to win two bronze medals at the World Challenge Cup in Portugal in May. She also dazzled at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games by winning two golds and two silvers.