Farah Ann, Choon How named Olympians of the Year

National gymnastics queen, Farah Ann Abd Hadi and wushu exponent, Loh Choon How were named the Olympians of Year 2019.

Farah, 25, who recently qualified for 2020 Tokyo Olympics was named as the female Olympian of the year. She showcased spectacular performances in woman’s artistic gymnastics to clinch three gold medals, in women’s all-around, floor exercise and uneven bars at the recent 30th SEA Games in the Philippines.

Choon How on other hand, had to overcome pain to bag two gold medals at the SEA Games by edging favourites and world class exponents in the men’s taijijian and taijiquan.

They each received RM10,000 cash and special gold medals, sponsored by Coca-Cola Company presented at the 26th Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Annual Dinner and Awards Night.

Meanwhile the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was awarded the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Special Award 2019 to recognise His Majesty’s involvement and contributions to sports.

The trophy, featuring a globe with all Olympic Games host cities, to symbolise the Olympic Movement and the action of sportsmen of core sports in Malaysia at the bottom.

The trophy was carried to the stage by the country’s four prominent Olympic Games medalists, Rashid Sidek, Cheah Soon Kit (Atlanta 1996), Datuk Lee Chong Wei (Beijing 2008, London 2012 & Rio 2016) and Pandelela Rinong (London 2012 & Rio 2016).

Former world number one shuttler, Chong Wei then handed the trophy to OCM president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria who presented it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The event also witnessed five inductees for the OCM Hall of Fame, a recognition for outstanding retired athletes, sports officials, sports journalists and media personnel.

It was led by the late Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah for his contributions in football, former OCM secretary-general, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (water polo and OCM), Datuk Roland Wong Choon Tat (badminton), Lieutenant-General ®, Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Manap Ibrahim (hockey) and former tennis player, S. A. Azman.