Thursday, March 20, 2014
SPORTCHECK: Nazreen, Siew Hui Honoured
DIVER Nazreen Abdullah and swimmer Yap Siew Hui made it a double for aquatics at the 2013 Education Ministry Malaysian Schools Sports Council-Milo Awards when they were voted the boys' and girls' Athlete of the Year respectively in Putrajaya yesterday.
Nazreen, a 10-metre platform specialist, outdid himself to win two gold medals at the Myanmar Sea Games via the 10m individual and synchronised (with Ooi Tze Liang) events.
The Bukit Jalil Sports School student also won two gold medals in the same disciplines at the Asian Diving Cup earlier last year where had partnered Mohd Danial Sabri in the synchro.
Siew Hui, a short-distance butterfly specialist, took gold in the 50m and 100m butterfly events at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Indonesia and another two gold in the same disciplines at the Sea Age-Group Swimming Championships in Brunei.
The SMJK Katholik, Petaling Jaya student also mounted the podium at the Myanmar Sea Games after helping the 4x100m medley team to bronze.
The duo, both 16, are equally eager to achieve bigger goals in their young careers this season.
"I did not expect to win this award. I definitely owe this to my parents and coaches as I would not be here without them," said Nazreen.
"Winning at the Sea Games was really big for me. My goal this year is to win a medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. It will be tough but I believe it is not impossible."
Siew Hui said: "I have to thank Paul Birmingham (national swimming coach) and my parents for supporting me all this while.
"I hope to qualify for the Incheon Asian Games and Glasgow Commonwealth Games this year. I will have to work hard to make the cut but hopefully I will get the chance to represent Malaysia."
The pair each received RM5,000, a trophy, medal and certificates.
Squash player Ng Eain Yow and diver Traisy Vivien Tukiet had won the titles last year.
Roll of Honour --
Boys' Most Promising Athlete: Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif (squash).
Special Award: Nur Muhammad Izham M Azwi (shooting).
Special Education Award: Mohd Solehuddin Azizan (athletics).
Athlete of the Year: Nazreen Abdullah (diving)
Girls' Most Promising Athlete: Amisha Sofia Azli (rhythmic gymnastics).
Special Award: Phoon Eyin (wushu)
Special Education Award: Nurul Nadia Latif (athletics)
Athlete of the Year: Yap Siew Hui (swimming).
Most dedicated teacher (male): Na'aman Mohd Shah (athletics, posthumous).
Most dedicated teacher (female): Chee Shin Lian (table tennis).
Leadership award: Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud.
Special Award: Nur Muhammad Izham M Azwi (shooting).
Special Education Award: Mohd Solehuddin Azizan (athletics).
Athlete of the Year: Nazreen Abdullah (diving)
Girls' Most Promising Athlete: Amisha Sofia Azli (rhythmic gymnastics).
Special Award: Phoon Eyin (wushu)
Special Education Award: Nurul Nadia Latif (athletics)
Athlete of the Year: Yap Siew Hui (swimming).
Most dedicated teacher (male): Na'aman Mohd Shah (athletics, posthumous).
Most dedicated teacher (female): Chee Shin Lian (table tennis).
Leadership award: Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud.
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| Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (centre) sharing a moment with the winners of the 2013 Education Ministry Malaysian Schools Sports Council-Milo Awards after the presentation ceremony yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan |
Read more: SPORTCHECK: Nazreen, Siew Hui honoured - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/sportcheck-nazreen-siew-hui-honoured-1.521933#ixzz2wT20c73j
Nazreen, Siew Hui Named Sportsboy, Sportsgirl for 2013
BY MERVIN MENON
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| Mohd Nazreen Abdullah and Yap Siew Hui with their MOE-MSSM-Milo Sports Awards. |
The duo received their awards from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at a leading hotel here on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old Nazreen was rewarded for his outstanding performances in local and overseas competitions, including bagging two gold medals in the 10m synchronised diving and 10m platform at the fifth Asian Diving Cup in Singapore. He also took part in the second Asian Youth Games in Nanjing and the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney.
Nazreen was delighted with the award and hopes to continue to excel in the sport.
Siew Hui, also 16, won four gold medals last year – two each in the 50m and 100m butterfly events at the third Islamic World Solidarity Games in Palembang, Indonesia, and the 37th SEA Age Group Swimming Championships in Brunei. She was also a member of the bronze-medal winning team in the 4x100m medley relay event in the Myanmar SEA Games.
“I’m very happy and excited to have received this award ... actually, it was totally unexpected,” said Siew Hui.
“Next week, there is the MSSM competition. As for international events, there are the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year. I need to push myself harder in training so that I can qualify for these two major events.”
Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, was full of praise for the winners.
“I would like to congratulate each and every one of the award winners for their stellar performances in 2013,” he said.
“I am sure that the nation is looking forward to seeing them representing us on a grander stage one day. I hope that the efforts from Milo and MSSM will inspire our youths to go further in their sports careers as well as in their lives.”
Roll of Honour
NATIONAL AWARD
Sportsboy: Mohd Nazreen Abdullah (diving)
Sportsgirl: Yap Siew Hui (swimming)
MOST PROMISING AWARD
Boy: Mohd Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif (squash)
Girl: Amisha Sofia Azli (rhythmic gymnastics)
SPECIAL AWARD
Boy: Nur Muhammad Izham Mazwi (shooting)
Girl: Phoon Eyin (wushu)
SPECIAL EDUCATION AWARD
Boy: Mohd Solehuddin Azizan (Paragames track and field)
Girl: Nurul Nadia Latif (Paragames track and field)
SPORTS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Tan Sri Abdul Ghafar Mahmud
DEDICATED TEACHER AWARD
The late Na’aman Mohd Shah (track and field)
Chee Shin Lian (table tennis)
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
February's Birthday Bash
“Freezing cold winds, biting chills, and
white snow fluffed hills
Valentines day, oh how gay!
February, sweet and small, greatest month of all.”
- Eric Lies
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| Birthday Boys - Lokman, Mohd Shaili & Shahadan |
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
10 Things You Didn't Know About Pandelela
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| Pandelela Rinong may have won a lot of competitions, but deep down she's just a regular girl at heart. |
A BRONZE medal in the 10m platform at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London catapulted her to superstardom in Malaysia. Yet, even with her growing popularity as the poster child of Malaysian sports, Pandelela Rinong has managed to keep her feet firmly planted on the ground.
Despite the medals and trophies she has won, deep down the 20-year-old is just a regular girl who wants to travel the world and loves all things K-pop.
Want to know her better?
Here are 10 things you might not know about Malaysia's dive queen:
1. I am Pandelela
She says her name “Pande” is similar to the Malay word “padai” (smart). But, her diving coach and friends call her Lela. And mum has a special nickname for her – Nong.
2. No diving? She’d be a gymnast!
“I love watching gymnastics, so if I wasn’t diving, I’d love to have taken up either artistic or rhythmic gymnastics, possibly perform a floor or ribbon routine. I love the colourful ribbon,” shares Pandelela.
3. The power of prayer
Every athlete has their own way to prepare for that all important match/competition. This is how Pandelela prepares: “My special routine is to call or text my family to tell them that I’m going to compete and we pray together.”
4. Training
You might think this top athlete loves training, and you would be wrong. “I don’t enjoy my everyday training ... in fact I hate it (laughs). I think the plus point of that is that I get to chat and gossip with my team-mates. But I like doing gym work. And I much prefer the training sessions right before a competition. And if I’m not training, it’s sambal udang petai, chicken wings and carrot milk for me ... and seafood.”
5. Guilty pleasures
Just like a lot of Malaysians her age, Pandelela likes K-pop.
“I like to dance to catchy K-pop songs and learn their dance moves. I have to admit I’m not good at singing but I still sing along to their songs. But it’s quite embarrassing to show this side of me to people other than my friends,” she admits
6. Budding traveller
“I’d love to travel and see the world. I do get to visit countries when I compete but if I have a competition to focus on, I can’t really enjoy the experience. I’d love to go to Seoul, South Korea, because I want to see where my K-pop idols Bing Bang live and see them in concert. Next on the list is Japan … simply to see cosplay events and the sakura trees,” she says.
7. I <3 Totoro
Pandelela is a HUGE Totoro fan. Totoro is a character from the Japanese anime My Neighbor Totoro.
“I love all things Totoro. Basically, I buy anything that is associated with Totoro. I also collect Totoro toys and dolls. I have everything from Totoro bed sheets, bags, shirts, hat and stuffed toys!”
8. Biggest boo-boo
She is not perfect and not embarrassed to admit it either.
“It was a in 2010 during the diving World Series in Mexico. I was too focused and took the wrong position for the dive – it was different from the one that was called by the announcer. Then the whistle blew just before my coach called my name and I realised I was in the wrong position. I quickly changed my position and did the correct dive. But I was given zero points for the dive because once the whistle sounds, everyone should remain silent.”
9. Higher and higher
“High diving has a higher platform which is more challenging. I would like to challenge myself with that, but Malaysia does not have a high diving plaform yet. If I have the chance to travel overseas and try it, I surely will.”
10. Tennis idol
Who would she like to meet at the Laureus Awards in KL on March 26?
“(Rafael) Nadal, please ... (laughs). I admire his work ethic, he’s so hardworking! And I always see him play on ESPN.”
Despite the medals and trophies she has won, deep down the 20-year-old is just a regular girl who wants to travel the world and loves all things K-pop.
Want to know her better?
Here are 10 things you might not know about Malaysia's dive queen:
1. I am Pandelela
She says her name “Pande” is similar to the Malay word “padai” (smart). But, her diving coach and friends call her Lela. And mum has a special nickname for her – Nong.
2. No diving? She’d be a gymnast!
“I love watching gymnastics, so if I wasn’t diving, I’d love to have taken up either artistic or rhythmic gymnastics, possibly perform a floor or ribbon routine. I love the colourful ribbon,” shares Pandelela.
3. The power of prayer
Every athlete has their own way to prepare for that all important match/competition. This is how Pandelela prepares: “My special routine is to call or text my family to tell them that I’m going to compete and we pray together.”
4. Training
You might think this top athlete loves training, and you would be wrong. “I don’t enjoy my everyday training ... in fact I hate it (laughs). I think the plus point of that is that I get to chat and gossip with my team-mates. But I like doing gym work. And I much prefer the training sessions right before a competition. And if I’m not training, it’s sambal udang petai, chicken wings and carrot milk for me ... and seafood.”
 |
| Pandelela Rinong loves gym work more than actual training. |
5. Guilty pleasures
Just like a lot of Malaysians her age, Pandelela likes K-pop.
“I like to dance to catchy K-pop songs and learn their dance moves. I have to admit I’m not good at singing but I still sing along to their songs. But it’s quite embarrassing to show this side of me to people other than my friends,” she admits
6. Budding traveller
“I’d love to travel and see the world. I do get to visit countries when I compete but if I have a competition to focus on, I can’t really enjoy the experience. I’d love to go to Seoul, South Korea, because I want to see where my K-pop idols Bing Bang live and see them in concert. Next on the list is Japan … simply to see cosplay events and the sakura trees,” she says.
7. I <3 Totoro
Pandelela is a HUGE Totoro fan. Totoro is a character from the Japanese anime My Neighbor Totoro.
“I love all things Totoro. Basically, I buy anything that is associated with Totoro. I also collect Totoro toys and dolls. I have everything from Totoro bed sheets, bags, shirts, hat and stuffed toys!”
 |
| Pandelela Rinong is a big fan of Tororo - can you tell? |
8. Biggest boo-boo
She is not perfect and not embarrassed to admit it either.
“It was a in 2010 during the diving World Series in Mexico. I was too focused and took the wrong position for the dive – it was different from the one that was called by the announcer. Then the whistle blew just before my coach called my name and I realised I was in the wrong position. I quickly changed my position and did the correct dive. But I was given zero points for the dive because once the whistle sounds, everyone should remain silent.”
9. Higher and higher
“High diving has a higher platform which is more challenging. I would like to challenge myself with that, but Malaysia does not have a high diving plaform yet. If I have the chance to travel overseas and try it, I surely will.”
10. Tennis idol
Who would she like to meet at the Laureus Awards in KL on March 26?
“(Rafael) Nadal, please ... (laughs). I admire his work ethic, he’s so hardworking! And I always see him play on ESPN.”
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