KUALA LUMPUR — Singapore rounded off their gymnastics campaign at the 29th SEA Games on Monday (Aug 28) with a bronze in the rhythmic mixed apparatus (two ropes and three balls) event.

That brought their final tally to two silvers and three bronzes over eight days of competition at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), where Malaysia collected 13 out of the 21 golds on offer.

It was the first time in five editions – gymnastics was not in the 2009 and 2013 Games – that the Republic has not won gold, but Singapore Gymnastics (SG) president Choy Kah Kin is staying optimistic.

“Yes, there’s a little disappointment that we didn’t get gold… (but) they’ve really done their best,” he said. “They fought for every medal and given the circumstances we had, they’ve really done well.”

Choy, 61, noted that all three disciplines – men’s and women’s artistic and women’s rhythmic – were disrupted by injuries in their preparations, citing Tan Sze En (artistic) and Lyn Yeo (rhythmic) as examples.

But he is confident that the reorganisation of SG’s management structure in June will boost the growth of gymnastics. 

Former Gymnastics Australia senior manager Karen Norden was brought on as general manager to oversee development, while former Olympian Lim Heem Wei (women’s artistic) joined as one of three new sport development managers along with Perry Koh (men’s artistic) and Choy Dian Chun (rhythmic). 

“We will definitely review the results and look at how to improve,” Choy Kah Kin said. 

“We can definitely do better, there needs to be consistency and sustainability in our programme and that’s what we’re looking at now. 

“It’s about putting a lot of emphasis on the development of each discipline holistically, not just the gymnasts but the coaches and the judges. And of course, financially we have to look at how to get more money through fund raising as well as through structured income.”

Noting that only one member of the rhythmic team remains from 2015, Choy Kah Kin is aware that providing stronger support for gymnasts will encourage them to stay in the sport longer. This also includes doing “what is necessary” to get them to the next level.

He added that rhythmic gymnast Tong Kah Mun, 19, is eyeing qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, while there is a “multi-year plan” to make a concerted push for the 2024 Games.

“Historically, a lot of them, once they go to university, they drop out and we lose talent,” said Choy Kah Kin. 

“So now we’re trying to keep them as long as we can.

“Of course, cost can be an issue so if you can bring someone to Singapore or develop our own local coaches, all the better. But if we have to send them overseas, we’ll look into it.”

Rhythmic head coach Natalia Rybak noted that Malaysia went on at least nine overseas stints this year to prepare for the Games, as compared to Singapore’s two – to Greece and Kazakhstan. 

“I think it’s very important to compete outside of Singapore and compete non-stop… we need to participate in a lot of World Cups, because Malaysian athletes (also) have huge experience in World Cups,” the 55-year-old said.

Rhythmic team captain Edlyn Ho is proud of what her team, comprising Jael Chew, 17, Avryl Tan, 16 and twins Michele and Phebe Lau, 15, has achieved and hopes they can stay together.

“(Lyn) was actually doing both individual and group and because she had an injury (two weeks before the competition), we all had to take her place and continue,” the 18-year-old said.

“Since we have the chemistry… I’m sure we will continue to work hard and try our best and achieve even more in the 2019 SEA Games n the Philippines.”

They will head to Pesaro, Italy for the rhythmic world championships on Aug 30, after which a sweet treat that they’ve abstained for over half a year awaits.

Michele laughed: “Maybe we can start drinking some bubble tea!”