ASEAN Schools Artistic Gymnastics: Singapore boys miss out on medal as Timothy injures knee

Story by Stefanus Ian/Red Sports. Photos by Tan Jon Han/Red Sports

Bishan Sports Hall, Sunday, July 3, 2011 — Singapore narrowly missed out on the bronze medal in the 3rd ASEAN Schools Games Artistic Gymnastics competition when Timothy Tay Kai Cheng endured injury and could only settle for fourth place in the Individual All Around Event. A mere 1.100 points separating him from third place. Singapore’s other representative, Aizat bin Muhammad Jufrie, finished the competition in sixth place.

Despite having an injured right knee after a poor landing during the Vault event, Timothy continued competing through the pain barrier. Fortunately, the remaining two events — Parallel Bars and High Bar — did not require extensive knee movements. He was visibly in pain during his landing after his High Bar routine.

“Although it hurts, I guess the adrenaline was still pumping and it did not really affect my performance in the end. Maybe just the landing during the High Bar,” said Timothy after the competition.

Aizat had a commendable outing, scoring the second highest in his vault event. He only lost out to eventual champion, Le Thanh Tung.

Aizat was frank about his performance after the competition. “I tried my best but I believe I could have done better at some events like the Still Rings and the Pommel Horse.”

The Thais dominated the competition for the boys’ category as they grabbed both the silver and bronze medals through Tissanupan Wichianpradit and Jamorn Prommanee respectively. Le Thanh Tung from Vietnam topped off the trio with his gold medal feat.

Singapore’s girls’ contingent could not keep up with their ASEAN counterparts with Foo En Ning and Rachel Giam Pei Shi finishing in eighth and ninth place respectively. Vietnam dominated the podium as Do Thi Thu Huyen and Do Thi Van Anh took the gold and bronze medals respectively. Malaysia’s Tang Ing Yuen took the silver medal.

For more photos, go to the next page.