IPOH: Federal Territories gymnast, Rayna Loh proved that she is in a class of her very own when she swept clean all four gold medals that were up for grabs in the individual rhythmic gymnastics event at the Malaysia Games earlier today (Thursday).
After winning gold in the team event yesterday (Wednesday), Rayna was in scintillating form as she won the jury over with her splendid performance to reign supreme in all four apparatus – hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon.
In fact the 15-year-old athlete left her closest rivals behind in terms of points so much so she could not be caught even after being penalised during the hoops.
Rayna will be competing at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentina next month, stressed that she did not set herself the target of a clean sweep of all the gold medals.
"Honestly I did not expect to win it all. What I was actually hoping for was to perform much better from how I did prior to this by executing a perfect routine.
"The coach always reminds me not to think too much about winning medals, but instead to perform as best a routine as possible and to make sure I make no mistakes which is most important,” said Rayna, who won two gold medals at the previous Games two years ago that was held in Kuching.
Rayna finished off competition at the Malaysia Games this time round on a very happy note and hopes that talented, junior gymnasts will take her place and continue to dominate in gymnastics when the next edition of the Games takes place in Johor in two years time.
Rayna is the country’s some representative for the YOG after earning an automatic slot where seven gymnasts from across Asia have been selected to take part.
For the record, Malaysia’s best performance to date at the YOG was during the inaugural edition in Singapore back in 2010 when Lee Wan Nin ended competition in fourth place overall for the individual event.
