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Ng Shu Wai gives Malaysia first Games gymnastics medal
(New Straits Times)
Updated: 2006-12-07 10:39 He had just clinched Malaysia's first ever Asian Games gymnastics medal but Ng Shu Wai's celebrations were just a little subdued.
The silver he won in the vault could well have been gold but for his landing in the first attempt, which cost him crucial points and glory. Still, a silver isn't too bad, considering that Malaysia doesn't really have a tradition in artistic gymnastics and that Shu Wai, just like Alex Lim Keng Liat in swimming and Nicol David in squash, is fighting the cause alone for his chosen sport. "I landed a little awkwardly and placed my right foot on the mattress, which caused me to lose my balance. I am a little disappointed as I know that I could have won the gold. "I wish I could do it again but it wasn't meant to be. Still, I am proud to have won Malaysia its first ever Asian Games gymnastics medal," said Shu Wai. He qualified as the top ranked gymnast for the event after the Chinese and South Korea vaulters who scored higher than him in the team event decided to concentrate on other apparatus. But a North Korean proved to be his nemesis yesterday, though it was more due to Shu Wai’s landing in the first vault than anything else. The Korean - Gwang Se Ri went first and he sent Shu Wai a challenge by scoring 16.575 in his first attempt and 16.675 in the second for an average of 16.625. Shu Wai looked confident going into his first attempt, his take off was smooth and his execution perfect. But he stepped on the wrong side of the mat and his first score was 16.325. The second was better, 16.650 but the overall was 16.487 and the gold had been lost. The bronze went to Kazakhstan’s Yernar Yerimbetov who scored 16.300. Shu Wai paid credit to coach Zhang Jun and his family for their support. "My coach has been with me for three years now and it was him who prompted me to concentrate on the vault as my routine in the floor had too many mistakes." The floor is where Shu Wai first impressed, winning a silver in the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games. "I want to do well in the Sea Games and World Championships next. The world meet is important as it will serve as the Olympic qualifier." |
