(Second row, from fourth, left) Magga president Datuk Abdul Malek Mohd Noor, National Sports Council director-general Abdul Rashid Yaakub and Radhakrishnan with the Malaysian contingent. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
THE talents of aesthetic group gymnasts (AGG) from Malaysia and around the world are on show at the Unite International Tournament (UIT) until Sept 29.
Drawing over 1,000 athletes from nine countries, the competition is being held at KSL Esplanade Mall in Klang, Selangor.
The inaugural UIT is a milestone for AGG, a discipline of gymnastics that was developed from Finnish women’s gymnastics.
Similar to rhythmic gymnastics, AGG places value on big and continuous body movements.
However, apparatus such balls and ropes are not used.
The sport saw its first contest in 2000 in Finland and was introduced to Malaysia in 2016 by the Malaysian Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Association (Magga).
With rhythmic gymnastics already having a foothold in major urban areas of Malaysia, AGG quickly took root.
Just three years later, the AGG World Cup was hosted in Malaysia, the first Asian country to have done so.
Magga deputy president Datuk V. Radhakrishnan said the event benefitted grassroots athletes.
It also serves as a warm-up for national athletes ahead of international competitions.
“This is crucial for our athletes as they prepare for the Asian Championship in Hong Kong next month and the World Championship in Estonia in November,” he said.
The tournament launch and flag handover to Malaysian athletes took place at the National Sports Council auditorium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
Radhakrishnan said Malaysia was top ranked in Asia.
“This has fuelled Malaysian gymnasts’ confidence to win five gold medals in the 17 categories being contested.
“The event, which is open to the public, is an opportunity for participants and spectators to experience world-class gymnastics,” he added.
The UIT will see some 300 Malaysian athletes in action over the coming days.
The tournament will be the first-ever to include rhythmic gymnastics and gala events alongside the main AGG events.
Athletes between the ages of six and 44 are vying for a total cash purse of RM12,700.
