Malaysia clean sweep all eight gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics

Malaysia ended its SEA Games campaign in rhythmic gymnastics with a clean sweep of all eight gold medals at stake at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, here.

After having won three gold medals until yesterday, the Malaysian gymnasts added four more this morning before the icing on the cake came from the group exercise mixed apparatus final today through Amira Sofiya Amirul Fares, Chan Mei Thung, Koh Jei Yi, Tee Wei Qi, Tee Wei Wen and Thew Yue Jia who collectively scored 15.350 points, defeating Vietnam (13.650 points) while Singapore took bronze with 11.450 points.

SEA Games debutant Amira Sofiya said all of their hard work had paid off and believed their routine was much cleaner than their performance in the single apparatus (five hoops) final yesterday.

"We are very satisfied with our (two ropes and three balls) routine today," the petite 16-year old told reporters after the prize presentation ceremony.

Earlier today, Malaysia clinched four gold medals in the hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon finals through Koi Sie Yan (hoop and clubs), Izzah Amzan (ball) and Amy Kwan Dict Weng (ribbon).

Malaysia had bagged its first gold medal in the team event through Amy, Sie Yan and Izzah on Saturday, a second gold medal through Sie Yan in the all-around individual final and a third in the group exercise single apparatus final yesterday.

Apart from eight gold medals, Malaysia also won five silver medals through Amy (individual all-around and hoop), Sie Yan (ball and ribbon) and Izzah (clubs).

Team manager Dr Farrah-Hani Imran was very proud that the girls had surpassed the initial six-medal target set for rhythmic gymnastics.

"Overall, their performances was very good and the important thing is, they had the right attitude and the right mental preparations going into it. As a manager, I am happy that each gymnast won something," she said, adding that their journey would not end today.

-- BERNAMA