Kuching - Sarawak will be relying on new and young gymnasts to spearhead it challenge in the 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma XIX) Perak and they expected to face stiff challenge from others states like defending champion, Selangor, Federal Territory and Perak.
According to the Assistant Chef-de-Mission (ACDM) for artistic gymnastic, Datin Mary Sadiah one of Sarawak's gold medal prospect, Esmelda Arecia Menti Alfred Geling has not fully recovered from an injury and she is competing in the uneven bars and balance beam.
Previously, the 18-year old Esmelda had won two gold medals in Sukma 2013 and was best female athlete at the Kuala Lumpur games. She is now training under the national ‘Kita Juara’ programme in Kuala Lumpur.
Another of Sarawak's gymnast, Ally Hamuda Abdullah, who is also the sole representative in the Male Artistic Gymnastic (MAG) events, is also nursing an injury that may affect his performance in the still ring, pommel horse and parallel bars events.
In Sukma XIX Perak, the artistic gymnastic event is to be held at Stadium Indera Pura in Ipoh from 16 to 19 September. Members of the rhythmic gymnastics team are Joannia Teo Tee Tze, Sacrlet Yuki Chan Yeei Han, Toh Xian Yong, Alaaena Lao Lik Phin, Joan Chai Rou Yan and Alicia Lee Yan Ting.
Their team manager is Yong Liew Chiang while the coaches are Anastassiya Voronova and Low Fai Jun.
