By Amiril Muttaqien Meketar
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The retirement of several seasoned women’s gymnasts including Farah Ann Abdul Hadi and Tracie Ang have left a noticeable void in country’s gymnastics scene.
Now that only Rachel Yeoh Li Wen remains as the sole senior gymnast, national coach Ng Shu Wai has no choice but to rethink his strategy.
Embracing the challenge, Shu Wai has mapped out a long-term plan to ensure Malaysia’s gymnastics legacy lives on – and it all starts with the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
The former Olympian said there are six to seven junior gymnasts who will be promoted to the senior team to step into the role of the former seniors.
The 39-year-old said the likes of Cadence Teh Zi Qi, Zarith Imaan Khalid and Hannah Yasmeen Mazwan are among the potential gymnasts that stand a chance to dance their way in the 2025 SEA Games.
He said his primary focus is now on building a women’s gymnastics team, regardless of whether the event is featured in the next biennial Games.
“We are committed to forming a new women’s team, whether or not the event is listed in Thailand.
“It’s crucial for us to start now, as this will provide the current crop of gymnasts with valuable exposure at the SEA Games starting in 2025 edition,” he told Bernama.
If everything goes well as planned, the 2006 Asian Games silver men’s vault medallist hopes to see them shine at the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia.
During the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, Rachel took home two gold namely in women’s balance beam and women’s uneven bars.
The women’s gymnastic artistic event was scrapped from the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
-- BERNAMA
