Waterskier Aaliyah Eyeing to Start 2025 Season with a Bang at University World Championships
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) – National waterskier Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah is optimistic of starting the 2025 season with a bang by winning a medal at the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) University World Championships beginning Wednesday in Auckland, New Zealand.
Training and Preparation
The 21-year-old, who took a five-month break from competitions to pursue her studies and sit for her second year exams in the university, continued her training in the past months at her base where she is pursuing her studies in the Florida Southern College despite not competing in tournaments.
"I have been training well despite the lack of competitions. I feel very charged up and raring to go in the competition participated by 78 athletes from 18 countries," she said in a statement issued by the Malaysian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (MWWF).
Goals and Achievements
Aaliyah’s targets are podium results in jump, tricks, and overall. If she can land a top-of-the-podium spot in one of them, it will be the icing on the cake. Her current personal best (PB) of 8,450 points in tricks is also an Asian record, while her PBs for jump and slalom events are 48.3m and 4.5/12/55, respectively. She has won medals in the 2022 World Games in Alabama, USA, and the 2023 Under-21 World Championships in Chapala, Mexico.
National Team Coach’s View
National head coach Hanifah Yoong believes 2025 will be a crucial year for his charges as the sport will be returning to the SEA Games in Thailand in December and the 2027 edition in Malaysia. The MWWF has proposed a comprehensive training and competition programme to prepare the national athletes for both these SEA Games.
"We have only entered Aaliyah in the University Worlds, but will send more athletes to the Asian Championships that will be held in Bangkok in June as well as the World Championships that is scheduled in August in Recetto, Italy this year," he said.
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Conclusion
Aaliyah’s determination to excel in the 2025 season is evident, and her coach’s confidence in the team’s preparation for the upcoming competitions is well-founded. As the sport returns to the SEA Games, Malaysian waterskiers are expected to make a strong showing, and Aaliyah’s performance in the University World Championships will be a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Aaliyah’s goal for the 2025 season?
A: To win a medal at the University World Championships and continue her winning streak in the SEA Games.
Q: How did Aaliyah prepare for the competition?
A: She continued her training in the past months at her base in the Florida Southern College.
Q: What are Aaliyah’s personal bests in tricks, jump, and slalom events?
A: 8,450 points, 48.3m, and 4.5/12/55, respectively.
Q: What is the MWWF’s plan for the national team?
A: The MWWF has proposed a comprehensive training and competition programme to prepare the national athletes for the SEA Games and the World Championships.