Kuala Lumpur takes home gold in team rhythmic gymnastics

The Kuala Lumpur contingent successfully defended their overall champion title.

KUCHING: The Sukma XVIII rhythmic gymnastics today (July 19) may have seen some tough competition but there was a clear winner throughout as Kuala Lumpur successfully defended its overall champion title in the team category.

Kuala Lumpur emerged as the deserving winner with a total score of 142.100 points of all four events – rope, hoop, ball and clubs – while first and second runner-ups went to Perak (124.650 pts) and Selangor (122.950) pts, respectively.

Meanwhile, Sarawak placed fourth after garnering a total of 95.850 pts and Pahang fifth at 89.100 pts.

According to one of the team members from the Kuala Lumpur team Nur Naieme Zainul Ariffin, besides being her first Sukma, it was also her first gold medal.

“I am also expecting another gold medal for tomorrow where I will perform the same routine but will be much better,” she said, adding that she hopes to improve on her hoop. While she scored the highest among her teammates for ball and clubs, she scored the lowest among them with that apparatus.

Nur Naieme (right) with her teammates.

Nur Naieme is currently studying at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Jalil and has been in the national team for four years since she was 10 years old.

“I am very proud to be able to represent Kuala Lumpur and eventually win the gold medal as we had expected,” said the 14-year-old gymnast.

Nur Naieme also shared her recipe for success to aspiring athletes.

“It is all about hard work, concentration, focus and giving everything that you have,” she said.

She extended her gratitude to those who have been supporting her and the team until today.

“Thank you to my head coach, coaches, and team manager for coaching me and giving the education that they can. Same goes to my parents who are here supporting me too.”

Assistant Minister for Early Childhood Education and Family Development Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali (middle row, fourth right) with top three teams -Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Selangor – in today’s rhythmic gymnastics event.

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