KUALA LUMPUR – Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah will be making her first appearance at a world meet in four years at the World Under-21 Waterski Championships, which will be held in Boca Laguna, Mexico, from June 13 to 17.
The Covid-19 situation has severely affected the 19-year-old’s waterskiing activities over the last few years.
Aaliyah’s last appearance at a world meet was at the IWWF World Waterski Championships, which was held in Putrajaya in 2019.
She made a big splash after finishing in the top 10 in open women’s tricks and overall as a 16-year-old.
Four years later, Aaliyah will be hoping to finally come of age and fulfil the potential that she has shown over the years by hopefully securing a podium finish in Mexico.
Aaliyah is currently ranked number two in tricks, number three in jump, and number two in the overall event in the IWWF world Under-21 rankings, so she certainly stands a fair chance of a podium finish.
But the Florida Southern College student is keeping her feet firmly on the ground.
“It is difficult balancing waterski training with my university studies since this is the first semester in university for me,” said the Yayasan Sime Darby star scholar and ambassador.
“But I’m indeed very happy for the results from my academic efforts, as it is very important for me that I put in my share of hard work to justify my sponsors’ support for my career in school as well as in sport.
“The same way I train and compete hard to make the necessary progress to justify the support from the National Sports Council Malaysia and Putrajaya Corporation.”
For Mexico, the Malaysian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (MWWF) has entered her in all three disciplines of tricks, slalom, and jump so that she can also vie for medals in the overall and jump categories in addition to her pet event of tricks.
According to MWWF’s head coach, Hanifah Yoong, this is a tough call, especially with her being in university as well.
“Aaliyah has improved so much in her jump discipline, and we just cannot drop any event because she is now suddenly in for a podium spot for overall and jump as well,” said Hanifah.
“I think her best chance might well be the overall discipline instead of the trick discipline.
“But it will be tough in any world championship as it is not about records but all about physical and mental strength in all three events to do just enough to win.
“So let’s see how it will turn out. She is still young and only turns 20 next month, so she has time on her hands,” concluded Hanifah.
A boost for Aaliyah this time is that she will be accompanied by her long-time Chilean coach Larry Gisler. The duo arrived in Mexico a few days ahead of the tournament to prepare for the competition.
Aaliyah is sponsored by the National Sports Council Malaysia, Yayasan Sime Darby, Putrajaya Corporation, Nautique Boats USA, D3 Skis USA, and the Putrajaya Waterski School operated by the MWWF and her affiliate WWWC. – The Vibes, June 12, 2023
