Gymnast Cassandra Lavigne Shelden bags Sarawak’s 76th Sukma XXI gold medal

KUCHING (Aug 24): The Sarawak Artistic Gymnastics team is proud and honoured to have delivered the winning gold medal for the Sarawak Sukma XXI Contingent at the Serian Convention Centre today.

Cassandra Lavigne Shelden bagged Sarawak’s gold number 76 when she topped the women’s floor exercise with 12.333 points.

Taking the silver was Yeap Kang Xian of Perak who managed 11.867 points while Cadence Teh Zi Qi of Selangor settled fir the bronze with 11.467 points.

Sarawak’s other challenger Audrey Jude Rendih Alexander missed out on the bronze as she could only manage 11.100 points.

The Sarawak team ended their campaign in artistic gymnastics competition with two golds and four bronze medals.

Audi won the other gold for Sarawak in the women’s vault on Friday while the bronze medals were delivered by Cassandra (all around finals, vault, floor exercise) and Audrey Jude Rendih Alexander, Cassandra, Allya Kauthar Openg, Audi Zulkarnien and Nur Qurratu Aini Norasharudi (women’s team).

Sarawak Amateur Gymnastics Association president Johnny Tan Seng Hock when contacted said he was satisfied with the team’s performance.

“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.

“We are also honoured to win the Sarawak Contingent’s final gold and also the winning gold to enable Sarawak become the overall champions after 30 years,” added Tan.

Deputy Minister of Food Industries, Commodities and Regional Development, Datuk Martin Ben gave away the prizes for the women’s vault winners.

Also present were Serian member of parliament Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Morshidi Fredrick and Serian Resident Caroline Cleophas Joseph.