Olivia wins first medal

OLIVIA Tai delivered some cheer to the host contingent when she bagged Malaysia's first medal in the individual all around final at the 13th Asian Junior Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

   The Malaysian had entered the final round, ranked second and only missed out on the silver medal eventually by just 0.2 points.

Finishing second was Uzbekistan's Anora Davlyatova who scored a total of 55.850 points in the four disciplines to Olivia's mark of 55.650. The Malaysian had to settle for the bronze.
Kazakhstan's Yelizaveta Mainovskaya was simply too good as she romped to the gold medal with a total score of 56.250 points.

   Despite ranking second after the first two apparatus, the hoop and ball, Olivia faltered slightly in the ball and ribbon, but she hung on to maintain her spot on the podium.

   Malaysia team manager Dr Farah Hani Imran said the national squad had thus achieved their target of a medal in the individual apparatus.

   Farah Hani also expressed satisfaction that Malaysia were ranked in the top six in the group apparatus finals in the Asian event.

"Our goal was to get medals in the individual apparatus and to rank in the top six in the group finals, so we have achieved that.

   "Our gymnasts have performed their best routines almost perfectly," she said.

(From left) Uzbekistan’s silver medallist Anora Davlyatova, Kazakhstan’s gold winner Yelizaveta Mainovskaya and Olivia Tai after the prize presentation yesterday.

By ARNAZ M. KHAIRUL | arnaz@nst.com.my :)

Read more: GYMNASTICS: Olivia wins first medal - Other - New Straits Times

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