OVERTHINKING is a deterrent in sports, just ask rhythmic gymnast Ng Joe Ee.
The 18-year-old Joe Ee paid the price for muddled thinking during the individual all-around final at the Huanglong Gymnasium Centre on Saturday and that saw her finishing 11th out of 24 gymnasts with a total score of 116.250 points.
She knows that she has to align her thoughts while performing if she wants to be among the best in Asia.
“When I drop a point in one apparatus, I must quickly step up in the other and not let it affect my rhythm. I’ve to be focused and stay strong,” said the double Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
“I have to work on my confidence too as I tend to be hesitant sometimes when I execute my routines.
“I will work on this with coach Yulia (Ivanova) and also, I must increase the level of difficulties in my routine to close the gap with top gymnasts from other Asian nations.”
Joe Ee knows her weak points are in the clubs and ribbon.
She scored 28.020 in the clubs and amassed 28.200 in the ribbons. She did better in hoops (28.800) but her highest score was in the ball when she was awarded 31.550.
It was one of the top three scores. She would have made the cut for the final if there was the apparatus final.
“I’ve to improve in my clubs and ribbon,” she said.
“I was 12th in the qualification but moved one rung to 11th in the final. So it’s some form of improvement but I hope to do better than my debut outing in future.”
Joe Ee said she had competed while in pain as she was recovering from a back injury and a left ankle ligament problem.
“I picked up these injuries while I was in South Korea for a two-week training stint. I tore the ligament on my left ankle, which made it hard for me,” she said.
“I found it tough to be flexible. I felt like I was moving slowly like an old person.
“I pushed myself despite the pain because I didn’t want to disappoint National Sports Council (NSC) who sponsored my trip to South Korea.”
