Vaccination first before warm-up action for Farah Ann ahead of Tokyo Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR: With just five months to go before the Tokyo Olympics in July, most qualifiers are excited about joining various competitions ahead of the Games especially after the COVID-19 pandemic derailed their preparation plans since last year, as most meets were postponed or cancelled.

However, for Malaysia's gymnastics queen, Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, it is a different story.

National women's artistic gymnastics head coach Ng Shu Wai, when contacted by Bernama, was firm in his stand to keep Farah Ann out of any competition until she is inoculated.

"I don't think now is the right time to send Farah Ann for any competitions until she gets the vaccine," he said.

Ng said they were still waiting for the green light from the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) on a vaccination date for Farah Ann.

Though Farah Ann is not allowed to join competitions at the global stage for now, Ng said that she appeared to be in high spirits and eager to seize the opportunity at Tokyo soon.

"She is now focusing on the Road to Tokyo Programme and pushing herself in the final stage of the Olympics 2020 preparations," he added.

Farah Ann became the first Malaysian female artistic gymnast to qualify for the Olympics in 20 years when she finished 16th out of 20 in the qualifying session of the individual all-around event at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

-- BERNAMA