KUCHING (Aug 24): Sarawak’s artistic gymnastics team has achieved a monumental milestone by clinching the state’s 76th gold medal at the SUKMA XXI Games. The latest victory came through the stellar performance of gymnast Cassandra Lavigne Shelden, who delivered a gold-winning routine in the women’s floor exercise at the Serian Convention Centre today.
Cassandra Lavigne Shelden Shines Bright
A Golden Performance on the Floor
Cassandra Lavigne Shelden’s extraordinary routine earned her an impressive score of 12.333 points, securing the gold medal for Sarawak. Her flawless execution and undeniable talent were evident as she outperformed her competitors in the highly competitive event.
Yeap Kang Xian of Perak claimed the silver medal with a commendable score of 11.867 points, while Cadence Teh Zi Qi of Selangor took home the bronze, scoring 11.467 points. Sarawak’s other representative, Audrey Jude Rendih Alexander, narrowly missed out on the bronze, finishing with 11.100 points.
Sarawak’s Gymnastics Campaign: A Resounding Success
The Sarawak team’s triumph in the artistic gymnastics competition extended beyond Cassandra’s individual success. The team concluded their campaign with a remarkable haul of two golds and four bronze medals, surpassing expectations and adding to Sarawak’s overall medal tally at SUKMA XXI.
Cassandra Lavigne Shelden’s victory in the women’s floor exercise adds to her impressive collection of medals at this year’s games. She also secured bronze medals in the all-around finals, vault, and floor exercise. Meanwhile, her teammate Audrey Jude Rendih Alexander, along with Cassandra, Allya Kauthar Openg, Audi Zulkarnien, and Nur Qurratu Aini Norasharudi, contributed to the team’s bronze in the women’s team event.
Audi Zulkarnien delivered the other gold for Sarawak, dominating the women’s vault on Friday. This dual gold medal achievement has brought immense pride to the Sarawak contingent and has solidified the team’s standing as formidable competitors in the SUKMA XXI Games.
Reactions and Reflections
Overcoming Expectations
Sarawak Amateur Gymnastics Association president, Johnny Tan Seng Hock, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their ability to surpass their initial target. “We targeted to win one gold, but we have surpassed the target by capturing two golds. Congratulations to the gymnasts and coaches Yuri Bashivili and Maia Gvaramadze,” said Tan.
Tan also emphasized the significance of Cassandra’s win, noting that her gold medal was not only the Sarawak contingent’s final gold but also the winning medal that allowed Sarawak to claim the title of overall champions—a title that has eluded the state for 30 years.
“We are also honored to win the Sarawak Contingent’s final gold and also the winning gold to enable Sarawak to become the overall champions after 30 years,” Tan added, reflecting on the historical importance of this victory for the state.
Celebrating Victory with Dignitaries
The medal ceremony was a moment of pride for the Sarawak team, attended by several notable dignitaries. Deputy Minister of Food Industries, Commodities and Regional Development, Datuk Martin Ben, awarded the prizes to the women’s vault winners, including Sarawak’s victorious athletes.
Also present at the ceremony were Serian Member of Parliament Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem, the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Morshidi Fredrick, and Serian Resident Caroline Cleophas Joseph. Their presence underscored the significance of this achievement not just for the athletes but for Sarawak as a whole.
A Historic Achievement for Sarawak
Looking Forward
Sarawak’s success in the artistic gymnastics competition at SUKMA XXI is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes, coaches, and the entire Sarawak Amateur Gymnastics Association. With 76 gold medals now in the bag, Sarawak has reaffirmed its position as a powerhouse in Malaysian sports.
The triumph of Cassandra Lavigne Shelden and her teammates will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of gymnasts in Sarawak and beyond. As the state celebrates this historic achievement, the focus now shifts to maintaining and building on this success in future competitions.