Four-Gold Heroine

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Lim Wen Chean won three gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics to sent Malaysia on the road to a golden flourish in the final day of competition at the Indoor Stadium here.

The 19-year old Wen Chean won the ribbon, club and rope in the single apparatus event to take her total tally to four gold medals out of the six offered in rhythmic gymnastics.

She could have won all six but lost the Individual All-around individual title and the hoop event to Thailand's Tharatip Sridee.

But while celebrating her triumph, including the team event gold, she will have to spare a thought for teammate Foong Seow Ting, the four-gold heroine in Manila in the previous Games.

It was a disappointing outing for Seow Ting here, winning only one gold through the team event and four bronze via the rope, ribbon, clubs and Individual All-around.

"The competition was tough here. Thailand's Tharatip (Sridee) is a worthy opponent and I certainly did not expect to win four gold. I thought I was good enough to win the ribbon and the All-round title.

"If I had a choice I would have preferred to win the All-around title," said Wen Chean.

She also won a gold medal each in the Hanoi and Manila Games in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

Korat was to be her swansong and when asked about it, Wen Chen said: "But now I don't know. Give me a bit of time to think it over again."



-- BERNAMA