Katrina (left) and Zylane in action during the duet technical and free routine event. They won the gold medal.
SINGAPORE: Synchronised swimming coach has thrown a challenge to Katrina Ann Hadi and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey – qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The duo dazzled the judges at the OCBC Aquatics Centre to bring home the duet technical and free routine gold medal – Malaysia’s first at the Singapore SEA Games.
National coach Long Yan believes the real target for Katrina-Zylane is to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
No Malaysian synchronised swimmer has ever qualified for the Olympics.
To earn Olympic qualification, the pair needs to start getting 80-82 points. They are just averaging 75 points now.
“I believe they have the potential to make it to the Olympics. I really want them to go for it because it’s the Olympics,” said Long Yan.
“So far, they’ve been doing very well in the duet events and have shown great improvement and mental toughness.
“For this SEA Games, five international A judges were invited because there aren’t enough judges in the region.
“These judges have given us feedback saying that Katrina-Zylane are performing at a very high level and that, had this not been the SEA Games, they could scored higher.
“They will now focus on the World Championships in Kazan, Russia (July 24-Aug 9). If they can maintain their performance, they’ll be on the right track.”
Katrina and Zylane have pledged their commitment to not only try and qualify for the Olympics but to compete in the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia as well.
“Winning the duet gold here has been a boost and a stepping stone ... hopefully, we’ll be included in the Podium Programme,” said Katrina.
“We want to show that we can win medals at the Commonwealth Games level and also to qualify for the Olympics.
“And since we are the next SEA Games host, there’s no way we’re quitting!”
The Star
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