PETALING JAYA – Newly-crowned National Sportswoman Ng Joe Ee (picture) believes that the recognition she received at the 2022 National Sports Award (ASN 2022) last night will propel her to “dance” in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Though it seems impossible to make the cut, Joe Ee vows to work harder to achieve her ultimate dream of competing in the world’s biggest multi-sports 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 was now focusing on adapting to a new routine which required her to increase the movement tempo on the floor.

“The new routine is totally different from last year. It is faster, especially for ribbon discipline,” she said.

However, the 17-year-old athlete said such changes had affected her performance as she endured a poor outing by finishing 12th in the all-around final at the recent 2023 Asian Rhythmic Gymnastic Championships in Manila.

In the meantime, Joe Ee admitted that she was surprised when she was announced as the new National Sportswoman.

“I was shocked when I heard my name and quickly hugged my mum before I went up to the stage. I thought two national divers Datuk Pandelela Rinong or Nur Dhabitah Sabri could have won it,” she said.

Meanwhile, reigning men’s doubles world champion Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who were named the National Sportsman, hoped the award would act as a catalyst to pursue more glory in the future.

Wooi Yik also 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 via a video shown to the audience at the award ceremony.

Aaron and Wooi Yik were not present at the ASN 2022 due to their commitment to Korea Open 2022, which commenced today until July 23. – Bernama