Hangzhou 2022: Rhythmic gymnasts overcome nerves to achieve goals

By Patrick Johnston

Entering the filled Asian Games arena, 16-year-old Singaporean gymnast Mikayla Yang was feeling the pressure to perform. With poise, grace and the support of her teammates, she delivered.

Yang showed off all her skills with ball, ribbon, clubs and hoop to impress the audience and judges alike to finish the Asian Games Individual All-Around in 13th place overall, with a score of 110.800 points.

“A lot of adrenaline going through, especially walking out onto the carpet,” Yang said.

“(But) It's been really fun. I can feel there is more support because we have the whole Team Singapore compared to it normally being just us and our coaches so it feels great. It feels like home.”

Yang, who trains in the United States, was joined in the 23-women competition by Katelin Heng. The 17-year-old, who has competed at the Commonwealth and SEA Games in recent years as well as the World Championships, produced a 93.800 point showing for an 18th place finish.

Katelin Heng throws her head back as she leaps into the air while performing with the clubs during the Asian Games individual all around qualification session. (Photo: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew)

“A bit nervous, with our first apparatus especially I was a bit shaky, second apparatus was better,” Heng said.

The duo also helped Singapore finish seventh in the Individual Team competition.

They were supported by Pebbyl Ang, who performed with the ball, ribbon and clubs, as well as Sophia Ho, who performed with the hoop and ribbon.

“It was a good performance,” Yang said. “Some little mistakes that could have been fixed but it was definitely a good performance and I’m proud of my teammates. They all did the best they could. It's a good experience.”

Sophia Ho performs the splits while controlling the hoop with her neck during the Asian Games individual all around qualification session. (Photo: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew)

Both individual and team competitions were dominated by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan athletes, with Yang grateful for the chance to compete against world elite gymnasts.

“It definitely helps competing against people that are ranked higher than you because it makes you work harder to try and beat them and gives you motivation to get better.”

The quartet had been training hard in Singapore prior to the Asian Games in Hangzhou. The intense sessions involved four hours of work in the mornings, with several hours more in the afternoon under the tutelage of head coach Berfin Serdill Ors. 

The former Turkish national champion was pleased by the performances of her young team.

“We have two finals which is a big success and they all did their best, of course it could be better. But for the team being in the finals, I’m happy,” she said.

“They really tried hard in the training sessions as well as here, but it's a competition. It's a very good experience, we have a very young team and I believe in them and they give lots of hope for the future.”

Pebbyl Ang leans backwards while performing with the ball during the Asian Games individual all around qualification session. (Photo: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew)

The 19th Asian Games are held in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October 2023. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.