Young Uzbeks ready to dazzle

19/06/1998

UZBEKISTAN will be the drawcard at the 15th National Artistic championship
at the National Gymnasium in Cheras over the weekend.
Eight Uzbek gymnasts arrived in Kuala Lumpur yesterday and will train
with the Malaysians who are preparing for the Commonwealth Games. The
Ubzeks' Malaysian `training' programme is until June 28.
"This is a good opportunity for our gymnasts to learn from the Uzbeks
who are among the best in the world," said Malaysia Gymnastics Federation
president Dr Zakaria Ahmad.
Oxana Chusovitina comes with an impressive resume. She emerged tops at
the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the World Championship in 1991 and the 1994
Asian Games in Hiroshima.
The rest of the members, with the youngest being 12, also have a long
list of achievements.
"This team will also be taking part in the Asian Games in Bangkok in
December and the World Youth Games in Moscow on July 11-19," said team
leader Svetlana Kuznetsova.
And while the artistic team are busy with the National championships,
the rhythmic team will head for Winnipeg, Canada, today to train. The are
also down to take part in the Pacific Alliance championships.
"We will be holding two friendlies with the Sereka College Club, then
another with the Evelin Coop Club before taking part in the championships
on July 9," said Zakaria.
The Pre-Games for rhythmic will be held on July 13-15 while artistic is
marked down for July 17-19. Both the events will be held at the Bukit
Jalil Indoor Stadium.
"Ten countries have confirmed participation for the Pre-Games which will
be the final selection for the Commonwealth Games athletes," said Zakaria.
"We have a detailed criteria for selection of the artistic and rhythmic
athletes. We are looking for consistency so the Pre-Games will play a
major role in the selection process."
For the rhythmic events, four gymnasts will be selected after the Pre-
Games and in September, the final three will be selected with the fourth
as a reserve.
"For the artistic, the National championship the Pacific Alliance and
the Pre-Games will determine their rankings for the Games."
Winnipeg gymnasts: Thye Chee Kiat, Carolyn Au Yong, El Regina Tajuddin,
Celectine Chan, Sarina Sundarajah, Farah Zellinah Kemal, Chan Chii-Wey,
Adriana Salleh, Lim Sin Yee, Liyana Jamil, Afrita Ariany Nasril, Tanya
Ong, Loke Yik Siang, Heng Wah Jing, Ahmad Fadil, Zulrarnian Majid, Onn
Kwang Tung, Alexina Au Li Yen, Lim Wai Chi, Ernadia Os'hara, K. Kavita,
Chang Siew Ting.
Moscow gymnasts: Thong Chee Wai, Ahmad Akramin, Nurul Zaiman, Yulie
Fitri, Yap Yee Yin, Chang Zhe Wei, Teh Ya Li, Goh Yi Wei, Coery Sik.
Uzbek gymnasts: Oxana Chusovitina, Svetlana Bahredinova, Alexandra
Gordeeva, Saida Boboeva, Botagoz Boyatanova, Almira Kambekova, Renata
Habib Rahmanova, Nazigul Almatova.
(END)