Olympian Oxana dazzles the crowd

21/06/1998

THE Uzbek gymnasts dazzled the crowd at the Teachers' Training College
Hall in Cheras with their precision drills in the National Artistic
championships yesterday.
Oxana Chusovitna, the 1992 Barcelona Olympics gold medallist in floor
exercise, not only won a gold in the international category but also a
cake for her sterling performance.
Oxana turned 23 yesterday and the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF)
made her feel at home with a birthday surprise.
The Malaysian gymnasts, who were expected to take a backseat, surprised
by producing one of their best performances. But Au Li Yen, gold medallist
in the national category, said she could have done better.
"It was my off-day, I could not do anything right. I know I can do
better than the 34.185 points that I collected," said Li Yen.
Oxana scored 36.625 points while third placed Uzbek in the international
category, Renata Habib Rahmanova, landed a score higher than Li Yen with
34.625.
Then again, the Uzbek girls have a better track record and it was
heartening to watch the Malaysians try and match their skills.
Second-placed Svetlana Bahredinova was a finalist in the world
championships last year while Renata has the experience of competing in
the Asian championships in China.
When Oxana was asked for her opinion about the Malaysians, she said:
"They are very good, only minor polishing needs to be done."
In the boys' category, Bukit Jalil Sports School student Loke Yik Siang
took the gold with 49.050 points. "This is my first win in the national
championships. Last year, I finished second."
While the Jaya 98 athletes did what was expected of them, Yulie Fitri
Suhatril and Nurul Fatiha Hamid, who are from Kuala Lumpur but took part
in the special category due to a registration snag, showed poise and
agility but were let down by nerves.
Results - Boys: Loke Yik Siang (Sel) 49.050 pts, 2 Onn Kwang Tung (Sel)
47.550, 3 Heng Wah Jing (Sel) 46.5.
Girls - International: 1 Oxana Chusovitna (Uzb) 36.625 pts, 2 Svetlana
Bahredinova (Uzb) 35.7, 3 Renata Habib Rahmanova (Uzb) 34.625; National: 1
Au Li Yen (Sel) 34.185, 2 Chang Siew Ting (Sel) 33.35, 3 Chang Zhi Wei
(Sel) 33.162.
(END)