State junior gymnasts flourish in Bukit Jalil
KUCHING: Sarawak’s gymnasts shone at the recent National Artistic Gymnastics Youth Circuit 1 championship at Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
The state team represented by six gymnasts Nur Quarratu Aini Norasharudin, Audi Zulkarnien, Annabella Andy Intana Jantum, Alya Sofiya Abdul Razak, Damya Dameerah Suhaimi and Nuryssa Grace Hendison captured six gold and five silver medals to finish as the overall champions in the Level 3 (U13) category.
Quarratu, who is only nine years old and studies at SK Jalan Muara Tuang, was the star performer of the team as she won three gold medals in the vault, balance beam, individual all-around final. The two other gold medals were delivered by 11-year old Damya from SK Gita in the uneven bar and 11-year old Alya from SK Rakyat in the floor exercise and from the team event.
Annabella, who is 10 years old and a pupil of SK Batu Lintang, bagged four silver medals in the vault, uneven bar, balance beam and individual all-around final while the other silver medals was contributed by 10-year old Audi from SK St Mary in the floor exercise.
Sarawak Amateur Gymnastic Association (SAGMA) president Helena Christine Wee is proud of the exploits of the junior gymnasts.
“Our gymnasts, who are ony aged 9-11, have done extremely well and competing with the 12 and 13-year olds, Nur Quarratu is only nine years old and she excelled with three individual and one team gold medals.
“Alya and Damya will be included in Sukma XIX squad and the Games in Perak next year will be a very good exposure for them as they will be facing older opponents especially senior and national athletes,” said Wee.
She disclosed that 13-year old Audrey Jude Rendih Alexander from SMK St Mary has been selected to represent Malaysia in the Singapore Open Artistic Gymnastics Championship in June.
“We had actually four gymnasts selected for national duty but Esmelda and Cassandra are injured while Alli Hamuda will be sitting for his examination,” added Wee.
In a separate development, Wee said the association had conducted a talent identification programme in nine schools from Feb 20-25 where 430 students were involved. “Out the number, we had only 25 students including 14 girls who will be absorbed into our development programme to be groomed into high calibre gymnasts for future competitions.
“SAGMA would also like to thank the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports and Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) for their annual grant and engagement of two foreign coaches for Bulgaria Bogomil Ivanov Momchilov and his wife Gergana Kostadinova Momchilova who have been very passionate, hard working and committed in grooming our athletes,” said Wee.
According to Wee, the duo had helped Sarawak reap a record medal haul of 286 golds, 197 silvers and 171 bronzes from various national and international competitions.
“We have a well planned development programme. Given consistent and systematic training, I am very optimistic that our young potential athletes will be able to shine and contribute medals for our future Sukma team,” said Wee who added that ex-Sukma athlete Nasha Amira Baktiar has been engaged by MSNS as a coach to assist Bogomil and Gergana.
She welcomed those interested in taking up artistic gymnastics to come to meet the coaches at the State Gymnasium at the Sarawak Stadium Complex.