KUALA LUMPUR: National water skier Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah is all geared up to make a splash at the Under-21 World Championships in Boca Laguna, Mexico, from June 13-17.
It will be the first world meet for the 19-year-old in four years after her waterskiing activities were severely affected by the Covid-19 situation.The last time Aaliyah made an appearance at a world meet – the IWWF World Waterski Championships in Putrajaya in 2019, she finished top 10 in open women's tricks and overall as a 16-year-old.
Four years on, Aaliyah hopes to finally come of age and secure a podium finish in Mexico.On paper, Aaliyah certainly stands a fair chance as she is currently ranked No 2 in tricks, No 3 in jump and No 2 in the overall event in the IWWF Under-21 world rankings.
But Aaliyah, who is also studying at Florida Southern College, is keeping her feet firmly on the ground."It is difficult balancing training with studies as it is my first semester in university," said Aaliyah.
"But I am indeed very happy with my academic results. It is important that I put in my share of hard work to justify my sponsors' support for my career in school and the sport." For Mexico, the Malaysian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (MWWF) has entered her in all three disciplines of tricks, slalom and jump.
It will enable her to vie for medals in the overall and the jump and tricks categories. MWWF coach Hanifah Yoong said: "Aaliyah has improved in her jump discipline, and we just cannot drop any event because she is now in for a podium spot for overall and jump.
"I think her best chance will be the overall discipline instead of tricks."But it is tough in any world championship. It is not about records but physical and mental strength.
"So let's see how it will turn out. Aaliyah will only turn 20 next month, so she has time on her hands," concluded Hanifah. Aaliyah will be accompanied by her long-time Chilean coach Larry Gisler.
