Search

Izzah, Sie Yan joint gold medallists

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
National gymnasts Koi Sie Yan (right) and Izzah Amzan show theit medals. Photo: Bernama

MANILA: National rhythmic gymnasts Izzah Azman and Koi Sie Yan were finally declared as the SEA Games joint gold medallists of the women’s ribbon event after an initial slip-up by the organisers at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum here yesterday.

Both gymnasts showed mesmerising skills with their satin ribbon to score an identical 15.200 points but Sie Yan was initially declared as the winner and Izzah was placed second due to the difference in the difficulty level.However, Malaysian officials on the scene, including Olympic Council of Malaysia president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria and chef de mission Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin protested against the decision, leading to both being declared joint champions.

Thailand’s Nat Kulsanawong took the bronze with 14.050 points and no silver medal was awarded for the event in the medal presentation ceremony, which was delayed for more than an hour.

National gymnasts Koi Sie Yan (right) and Izzah Amzan show theit medals. Photo: Bernama

It was not the first time Malaysian gymnasts have jointly won gold in one event, as Sie Yan won the gold with N. Shasangari Sivaneswari in the women’s all-around event at the 2015 Singapore SEA Games.

At the 2017 KL Games, artistic gymnasts Tan Fu Jie and Jeremiah Loo Phay Xing were declared joint winners in the men’s pommel horse. The 19-year-old Izzah bagged two golds and a silver yesterday.

“We managed to do our best and I think everyone deserves to win. Rhythmic gymnastics is a very subjective sport, so as an athlete our job is to perform our best and it is up to them (to decide),” Izzah said after the medal presentation ceremony.

Sie Yan, who also won the silver in the clubs apparatus, said: “It is a very proud moment to be standing on podium together as gold medallists in the same event. It is an extra gold for the country; I am very happy to share it.” – Bernama

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.