Golden Koi

‘Older sister’ Sie yan proves she still has it

AT 23, Koi Sie Yan is the “older sister” in the rhythmic gymnastics team at the Vietnam SEA Games - but she still has got the moves. The Pahang lass showed that she’s still the most graceful of the lot by winning the individual all-around gold by notching 109.100 points at the Quan Ngoa Sports Palace in Hanoi yesterday. Her junior Ng Joe Ee won silver, but was behind her by 4.5 points. The Philippines’ Breanna Labadan took bronze with 96.650 points. Sie Yan’s performance showed that Malaysia remains a force in the South-east Asian rhythmic gymnastics scene. She also won the individual all-around in the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games but the category was not contested in 2019. Joe Ee’s emergence, however, shows that Malaysia have talent coming up to continue the dominance in future Games. When approached by the media, Sie Yan just said: “I delivered on my promise.” “Before coming to Hanoi, I did say that I would win the gold, and I am happy to have done so. “I am relieved to have achieved my target. As I get older, it gets tougher. “A lot of youngsters are coming up, and in the Malaysian team, we have Joe Ee. Not only her, but there will be others. “So I have to make sure that I remain in top shape. Next up is the Commonwealth Games. Hopefully, I can make an impact in Birmingham.”

The Malaysian rhythmic gymnastics allaround team also won the gold medal.

The group of Shak Yuki, Jingle Shak Qi, Maia Xiao Han Ong, Ashley Xin Yi Lim and Yi Tung Yap collected 49.200 points to win the gold. Thailand finished second with 41.550, while Vietnam took bronze with 39.800.

Coach Eriko Akebayashi was happy to see her girls retaining the gold they won in Manila three years ago.

“The competition was tight, but the girls kept their routines right and showed no nerves. I am happy with this gold. They deserve it,” she said.

The victory meant that Malaysia has swept all but two of the gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics in Hanoi.

In the 2019 Manila SEA Games, Malaysia won four golds, two silvers and a bronze.

— AFP Still having a ball: Koi Sie yan performing in the individual all-around final. Left: The rhythmic gymnasts on the podium after winning the team gold.