Sunday, June 14, 2015

A surprise silver for Aaliyah and another podium for Alex

Alex earned two bronze medals through the jump and slalom events at the Bedok Resevoir.
Alex earned two bronze medals through the jump and slalom events at the Bedok Resevoir.

SINGAPORE: Eleven-year-old water skier Aliyah Yoong managed a leap of 20.20m in the women’s jump event to finish behind gold medallist Rossi Amir (29m) of Indonesia at the Bedok Reservoir.

Indonesia’s Nur Alimah Priambodo took bronze after clearing 18.10m.

“I did not expect this. I thought I would finish last. This is my first medal in the jump event ... and it’s also my personal best,” said a surprised Aaliyah, who won the tricks gold on Friday.

There was more from the Yoong family, with Alex bagging two bronze medals despite carrying a knee injury.

The former Formula One driver, back in the sport after a four-year absence, did enough to finish third in the slalom and jump events.

It was not the best of performances by the 39-year-old, who is recovering from a left knee injury suffered in April.

“I could’ve done better but it’s a bit dangerous pushing too hard on the jump when my knee is not in good condition. But I’m feeling good ahead of the overall event. It will be tough because the Indonesians have improved since we last saw them four years ago,” said Alex, who added the two bronzes to the one gold and three silvers he earned from the 1997 and 2011 Games.

In the slalom, Alex cleared 3.5 buoys on a 13m rope to finish behind gold medallist Mark Leong of Singapore and silver medallist Indra Hardinata of Indonesia.

Alex returned to the water all fired up and pulled off a 33.10m jump, finishing behind Indonesia’s Febrianto Febrianto, who took silver with 33.90m. Ade Hermana, also of Indonesia, took the gold with a jump of 46.90m.

Alex and Aaliyah have qualified for the overall event.

The Star Online

No comments:

Post a Comment