Low-key acts at worlds but our gymnasts outshine Games rivals

PETALING JAYA: None of the Malaysian rhythmic gymnasts have qualified for any of the finals so far in the ongoing World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, but they can take heart that they have done better than their regional rivals Thailand.

The outing augurs well for Koi Sie Yan, Izzah Amzan (pic) and Ng Jia Wen as they prepare for the Philippines SEA Games from Nov 30 to Dec 11.

Thailand are Malaysia’s closest rivals in the biennial Games.

In the world meet, Izzah finished 57th in the hoop event (16.900 points) and Sie Yan came in 92nd (13.450) but the Thai girls Benjamon Limpanich and Nat Kulsanawong finished 96th (12.800) and 103rd (11.450) respectively.

Izzah performed better in the ball event when she finished 33rd with 18.400, while Sie Yan was 61st with 16.400. Benjamon was 92nd with 13.300.

Jia Wen was Malaysia’s best performer in the ribbon event when she scored 14.650 points to finish 51st followed by Sie Yan at 79th (12.700) and Izzah at 88th (11.500).

In the individual all-around standings, Izzah is currently 64th with 46.800 points, while Sie Yan is 81st with 42.550 points.

In the team standings, Malaysia are currently ranked 38th with 104.000 points.

The top 24 gymnasts, also with a maximum of two gymnasts per country, will compete in today’s allaround final, but the Malaysian girls are nowhere near the top 24 spots, and their rankings are expected to drop once the qualifying round is over.

Twenty-one Olympic qualification spots are up for grabs in Baku, but our girls are far from getting any of the places available.