PETALING JAYA, July 18 — Newly crowned National Sportswoman Ng Joe Ee believes the recognition she received at the 2022 National Sports Awards last night will propel her to “dance” at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Though it seems impossible to make the cut, Joe Ee vowed to work harder to achieve her ultimate dream of competing in the world’s biggest sporting event.
“(Winning) the award has motivated me to try to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games,” she told reporters when met after the ceremony.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist said she is focusing on adapting to a new routine that requires her to increase her movement tempo on the floor.
“The new routine is totally different from last year. It is faster, especially for the ribbon discipline,” she said.
But the 17-year-old athlete said such changes have affected her performance as she endured a poor outing by finishing 12th in the all-round final at the 2023 Asian Rhythmic Gymnastic Championships in Manila.
Joe Ee said she was surprised to be announced National Sportswoman.
“I was shocked when I heard my name and quickly hugged my mum before I went up to the stage. I thought the two national divers Datuk Pandelela Rinong or Nur Dhabitah Sabri would have won,” she said.
Reigning men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who were jointly named National Sportsman, hope the award becomes a catalyst for future glory.
Wooi Yik expressed his gratitude to the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Badminton Association of Malaysia and the National Sports Council for their tremendous support.
“We will strive to make the country proud in the future,” he said in a video shown during the awards ceremony.
Aaron and Wooi Yik were not present at the ceremony as they are competing in the Korea Open 2022 until July 23.
— Bernama
