Star on the rise: Zoey posing with her certificate of participation at the ‘Constellation of Beauty’ International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament.
SPORTS are a big part of Zoey Fum Kah Mun’s life.
Not only is she a national rhythmic gymnast, but she is also an accomplished taekwondo athlete.
“I train throughout the week and leave weekends open for training as well. It requires discipline, but it’s worth it when you succeed in both areas,” the 17-year-old told StarEdu.
Her passion for the sports is so strong that she said even though she will be focusing on her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations this year, she will continue competing and striving to win.
The SMK Damansara Jaya, Selangor, student recently came away from the “Constellation of Beauty” International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament held last month in Sofia, Bulgaria, ranking fourth in ball and sixth in clubs.
In September last year, she took part in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship, where she won two silver medals for the Individual All-Around (AA) Team and the Selangor U18 Team, and five bronze medals for the hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon and individual AA categories.
In the same month, the third dan black belt exponent participated in the 11th TM(WT)-KBS-Milo Interclub Taekwondo Championship 2024, taking home a gold medal in the Freestyle Mixed Pair category and a silver medal in the poomsae team event.
“Balancing the intense physical demands of both sports can be challenging and requires careful planning and dedication. There’s also the mental focus required to excel in two very different disciplines.
“However, I’ve found that both sports emphasise balance, flexibility and mental strength,” said Zoey, who started competing in both rhythmic gymnastics and taekwondo at the age of eight.
“These early experiences shaped my competitive spirit and helped me build confidence in both sports,” she shared.
She added that despite taekwondo and rhythmic gymnastics appearing to be two very different art forms, she has always been drawn to their clear similarities, such as their focus on discipline, athleticism and artistic expression.
“Rhythmic gymnastics caught my attention due to its blend of flexibility, grace, sparkly leotards and beauty. Meanwhile, for taekwondo, I was inspired by family members who practised martial arts,” she said.
Reflecting on her most noteworthy achievement as an athlete, Zoey cited her outing at Sukma 2024.
“I was really shocked when I won two bronze medals for taekwondo. It exceeded my expectations!” she shared.
She added that competing internationally at the Rhythmic Gymnastics Bosphorus Cup 2024 in Istanbul, Turkiye, where her team won bronze, was her most memorable achievement as a rhythmic gymnast.
As a student athlete, Zoey said time management and having a strong support system are key to overcoming challenges.
To motivate herself, she takes inspiration from Malaysian taekwondo practitioners Sara Yap Khim Wern, sisters Nurul Hidayah and Nur Humaira Abdul Karim, as well as foreign rhythmic gymnasts Yana Kudryavtseva, Wang Zi Lu Boryana Kaleyn.
“These taekwondo athletes’ techniques and achievements are inspiring, while the rhythmic gymnasts’ poise, artistry and precision set the bar incredibly high,” she said.
Zoey expressed hope that ten years from now, she will be competing professionally at the highest level and coaching the next generation of athletes.
“I want to continue being involved in both taekwondo and rhythmic gymnastics, helping to foster talent in these sports,” she said.
Zoey urged students to take part actively in sports.
“It’s very important as it offers benefits beyond physical fitness, including building resilience, teamwork and mental discipline.
“Don’t be afraid of pursuing multiple interests. It can be demanding, but the rewards, growth, experiences and opportunities are worth the effort,” she said.
Devya, 16, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1. What sport are you involved in? Why do you think students should take part in it? Give a five-minute speech to promote the sport, and have your classmates vote on whether they’re persuaded to try it.
2. Look through the StarSport pages for an article about a sport. Cut out any new vocabulary you learn. Then, use these words to write a summary of the article. Once you are done, read your summary aloud to the class.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
