KUALA LUMPUR: Slalom canoer Marina Muzaffa has set her sights on becoming the first Malaysian to qualify for the Olympics since Salehuddin Ayob at the 1996 Atalanta games.
Marina proved that she has the potential to do so after delivering a gold for Federal Territories (FT) in the women's K1 slalom flat water event at the Malaysia Games yesterday.
The 21-year-old comfortably downed Johor's Azlyn Farhana Muhammad Azmi Tan in the final, taking the win in one minute 22.34 seconds.
Azlyn clocked 1:29.06s for silver while Perlis's Nurul Najwaa Jamari (1:37.15s) completed the podium.
Marina said she was relieved to be able to live up to expectations. "It was a good run in the final, it wasn't too hard nor too easy," she said.
"I was among those FT had expected to deliver, so I am relieved to get the win.
"This is my first and last Malaysia Games, so I'm glad to finish with a gold."
Marina, who idolises Australian Jessica Fox, said she is hoping to qualify for Paris 2024. "I like Jessica because she was able to win her first Olympic medal (silver) at such a young age (18)," said Marina.
"The Olympic qualifying window for Paris 2024 will begin next year, and I am hoping to give it a shot."
Johor emerged overall champions in the sport with 23 gold, eight silver and two bronze. Terengganu finished runners-up with 5-8-17 while FT were third on 4-16-12.
Other results:
Men's traditional boat race (eight paddlers) 200m: 1. Johor 54.850s 2. Penang 56.252s 3. Federal Territories 56.273s.
Women's traditional boat race (eight paddlers) 200m: 1. Johor 1:01.034s 2. Federal Territories 1:02.461s 3. Terengganu 1:04.752s
Mixed team traditional boat race (eight paddlers) 200m: 1. Johor 57.723s 2. Terengganu 58.553s 3. Federal Territories 59.044s