Sensational: Winners (clockwise from top) Federal Territories’ Nur Zhafirah Wong Rudy Kurniawan, Selangor’s Lee Li Sam and Negri’s Dhaffatul Nurbaiti Harman in action during the rhythmic gymnastics team final. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/ The Star
CLARISSA Lee was a talented rhythmic gymnast but could not go far in the sport she loves due to injuries.
But that has not stopped Clarissa from finding another way to make use of her talents.
Yesterday, the 32-year-old, who is Federal Territories’ (FT) team coach, helped Nur Zhafirah Kurniawan, Cassidy Jia, Rhea Dhaliwall and Rhuzanne Sui defend the team gold in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Zhafirah and her teammates were a class above the rest as they amassed 252.350 points with their dazzling routines in the ball, clubs, hoop and ribbon events at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching.
Selangor’s Ebony Hui, Emily En Rui Low, Eryn Chang, Lee Li Sam finished second with 218.600 points while Negri Sembilan’s Angel Tan, Dhaffatul Nurbaiti Harman, Nur Sumayyah Suhaimi and Shakira Eleina Shukri came third after scoring 196.350.
Clarissa was proud of the girls’ achievement in maintaining the gold after overseeing a clean sweep of all seven titles offered in the sport in the last Sukma in Kuala Lumpur two years ago.
“I’m happy with the girls’ performance today (yesterday). I was a gymnast myself but I could not make it far due to injuries and I decided to develop future talents instead. So, seeing the girls win the gold again makes me so proud,” said Clarissa.
“Except for Zhafirah, the other girls are all making their debuts and they performed very well.
“Zhafirah is 14 and this is her second Sukma while Cassidy, Rhea and Rhuzanne are all 13. They trained four to five hours after school daily and thoroughly deserve this gold.’’
Zhafirah was 12 when she competed in the previous Sukma but exceeded expectations by winning gold with the team and silver in the clubs event behind Valerie Ng.
Her dazzling performance saw her win a spot in the national team and Clarissa hopes her teammates can follow in her footsteps.
“This is the girls’ time to shine and show what they can do. My goal is to help more of our young talent move up to the national team,” said Clarissa.
The girls will compete next in the individual apparatus today.
