One more trial before naming SEA Games gymnastics squad

National artistic gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi during the second SEA Games selection trial last month. - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) have deferred naming the women’s artistic gymnastics team for the Singapore SEA Games in June.

The MGF were supposed to announce the team on Tuesday. They have now decided to conduct a final selection trial on May 9 to determine the five-member team.

“The names were supposed to be finalised today, but the technical committee have decided to have one final round of selection on May 9. Those who are injured will have to produce doctor’s letters to support their non participation,” said MGF secretary N. Shanmugarajah.

The May 9 test will be the third conducted by the MGF this year. 

The first trials were conducted on March 15, but only three elite gymnasts – Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, Tan Ing Yueh and Nur Eli Ellina Azmi – took part. The second trials were on April 18 with six gymnasts competing.

National elite gymnast Tracie Ang, who underwent a hip surgery in October, will compete in the final trial together with Ing Yueh, Eli Ellina, Rachel Yeoh, Siti Nur Bahirah Husniyah Ahmad, Nur Azira Aziri and Farah.

The MGF will also consider the Raymund Jayadev sisters – Natasha Ilana and Lavinia Michelle – for the Games.

The British-based duo will submit video recordings of their routines from an English competition for the technical committee to assess.

There are 12 golds – six for men and six for women – at stake in artistic gymnastics at the Games. At the 2011 Indonesian Games, Malaysia won two silvers through Farah in the uneven bars and Eli Ellina in the balance beam.



 by Ashreena Pillai - The Star