By Farah Najihah Zuraimi
SERIAN, Aug 23 (Bernama) — Fate had a special plan for artistic gymnast ‘roommates’ Muhammad Bariq Adif Mat Daud and Wilson Wei Sin Yeoh, who both clinched gold in the rings event at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Sarawak today.
The final showdown at the Serian Conference Centre saw Johor’s Muhammad Bariq Adif and Penang’s Wilson, both 17, matching each other with an impressive score of 12.000, earning them a shared spot at the top of the podium in this 21st edition of the games.
Speaking to Bernama, Muhammad Bariq Adif was visibly astonished to be celebrating alongside his roommate from the National Sports Council (NSC) dorm in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
“I was shocked when I realised we both struck gold.
“I thought I’d come in second, and he’d take first, but Alhamdullilah, we both got it,” said Muhammad Bariq Adif, who now has his sights set on the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
Wilson, the middle child of three, couldn’t hide his excitement either, especially since he shared this victory with Muhammad Bariq Adif, whom he praised for his ‘flawless’ routine.
He is now determined to keep pushing himself to qualify for even bigger stages in the future.
Penang’s Kai Jack Liew took home the bronze with a score of 11.850.
Meanwhile, Sarawak’s Audi Zulkarnien, who delivered the host state's first gold in artistic gymnastics by winning the women’s vault, was overjoyed despite nursing a painful right leg from a fall during the team event yesterday.
“It was all worth it because I gave it everything I had. I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was seven, and this sport has been my whole life,” aid the 17-year-old, who was inspired to pursue gymnastics after watching a cheerleading-themed movie.
In the women’s vault, Audi topped the discipline with a score of 11.933 points, while Federal Territories’ Marissa Zaiful Azian and Sarawak’s Cassandra Lavigne Shelden claimed silver (11.717 points) and bronze (11.600 points), respectively.
— BERNAMA
