Commonwealth Games: Another narrow rhythmic gymnastics loss for Malaysia

Malaysian rhythmic gymnasts missed out on a medal finish again at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after Izzah Amzan and Ng Joe Ee ended the individual all-around event in fourth and fifth respectively.

Izzah and Ng were in the top three at one point after scoring 108.300 and 108.200 points each at the end of the fourth and final routine.

However, Anna Sokolova (112.100 points) of Cyprus and Australia's Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva (111.100 points) came up big at the end to push them out of medal contention.

England's Marfa Ekimova emerged as the winner with 112.300 points.

It was another close defeat for Malaysia, who already narrowly lost out on a bronze medal in the team event on Thursday as they scored 265.250 points, just shy of third-placed England's tally of 267.050 points.

The Malaysian gymnasts were seemingly struggling without their regular coaches, Yulia Ivanova and Lidia Legotina, in Birmingham after the United Kingdom banned Russians from entering the country due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Izzah, Ng as well as Koi Sie Yan still have a chance of meeting the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation's (MGF) target of winning at least one gold medal as they are set to compete in individual hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon events on Saturday.

In the 2016 edition in Gold Coast, Malaysia took home one gold, three silver and three bronze medals, in which most were contributed by the now retired Amy Kwan.

JANGAN BERSEDIH IZZAH…!!! Anda sudah lakukan yang terbaik. Come back stronger ???? Laporan penuh ⁦@FadhirulS⁩ di Nadi Arena ⁦@ASTROARENA⁩ pic.twitter.com/wraPM8EPPO

— nizam_baharuddin (@mohdnizamb) August 5, 2022