PETALING JAYA, June 8 — Gymnast Nur Eli Ellina Azmi who was part of the team that won gold at last year’s SEA Games won two of the seven gold medals the national team won at the Singapore Open Artistic Gymnastics Championships that ended yesterday.
Malaysia finished with seven gold, seven silver and six bronze medals.
Ellina took gold in in the vault and balance beam plus a bronze in the floor exercise.
“The Singapore championship was a good experience as I was the most senior gymnasts and had to lead the team,” said Ellina.
“Usually the workload as a ‘captain’ and handling the juniors is undertaken by Tracie Ang or Farah Ann Abdul Hadi.
“But they didn’t go to Singapore. I was nervous as I needed to lead by example. I’m glad I managed to win two gold medals and the team won seven in total.”
Ellina revealed she was competing in her first competition since the death of her mother.
“My mother (Azizah Juno) passed away last December at the age of 53 due to advanced metastatic cervical cancer,” said Ellina.
“It was quite hard to compete without her cheering me on as she always followed me during competitions. Despite her absence, I’m sure she is happy to see I can still win a gold medal.”
She added she is now looking forward to the next leg of the World Cup Series in Portugal from June 23 to 26 and next year’s Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
“Tracie, Farah and Tan Ing Yueh are going to Portugal but the association will add another one, either me or Racheal Yeoh,” she said.
Separately, Ellina said Malaysia should beware the Singaporean gymnasts who could post a threat at next year’s SEA Games.
One of those is 15-year-old Tan Sze En, who won the floor exercise.
