Wendy-Dhabitah Provide Golden Splash On Final Day

Nur Dhabitah Sabri (left) and Wendy Ng pose with their gold medal after winning the women's 3m springboard synchro event of the Malaysian Diving GP at the National Aquatics Centre on Sunday. - AZHAR MAHFOF/ The STAR

KUALA LUMPUR: Wendy Ng Yan Yee and Nur Dhabitah Sabri provided Malaysia a golden finish on the final day of the Malaysian Diving Grand Prix at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Combining for only the third time this year, Wendy and Dhabitah emerged triumphant in the women’s 3m springboard synchro event after chalking up 274.41 points.

Compatriots Jasmine Lai Pui Yee-Kam Ling Kar were second on 267.51 while Americans Deidre Freeman-Maren Taylor of the United States piled up 259.80 points for third spot. The Americans, however, took the silver due to the “one country, one podium” ruling applied in the championships.

No bronze was awarded as only three pairs took part. China did not enter their divers in the event.


“I think we are improving as a pair. It’s only our third outing, so it’s quite remarkable,” said Wendy, who also won the same event with Cheong Jun Hoong in Singapore last week.

Dhabitah believes she can establish a strong combination with Wendy if given the chance to compete in more championships.

“We combined for the first time at the Diving World Cup in Shanghai in July, and we managed to enter the final. We finished seventh out of 17 pairs,” said Dhabitah.

“Wendy and I are about the same in terms of height and weight, so we have a slight edge in synchronisation,” added Dhabitah.

In the women’s 10m platform synchro event, Pandelela Rinong-Jun Hoong failed to make it a double joy for Malaysia. They narrowly lost the gold to China’s Si Yajie-Ji Siyu.

The Malaysians were in pole position with one more round to go. But they botched the final dive and ended up with 327.84 points to settle for the silver. Siyu-Yajie stamped their mark with a 332.70 total.

Loh Zhiayi-Dhabitah finished third with 293.67 points, but the “one country, one podium” ruling meant the bronze was awarded to fourth-placed Katrina Young-Cheyenne Cousiheau of the United States (240.84).

Ooi Tze Liang gave Malaysia one more bronze after amassing 448.60 points to finish third behind China’s Huo Liang (532.30) and American Tobey Stanley (456.25) in the men’s 10m platform individual event.

Malaysia ended their campaign with a gold, four silvers and three bronzes to finish second overall. China, as expected, topped the medal tally with a 7-2-1 haul. A total of 10 countries competed in the championships.

M'sian Synchro Swimmers Finally Get A Chance To Impress

National synchronised swimmers (from left) Katrina Ann Hadi, Tasha Jane Taher Ali and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey all prepped for the chance at the Asian Games. — IBRAHIM MOHTAR / The Star

National synchronised swimmers (from left) Katrina Ann Hadi, Tasha Jane Taher Ali and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey all prepped for the chance at the Asian Games. — IBRAHIM MOHTAR / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s been almost three years since they last made a big splash – at the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games. No wonder the national synchronised swimmers are itching for action.

The swimmers made a clean sweep of all five gold medals in Palembang and national coach Long Yan was looking forward to building on that impressive performance.

But it never materialised due to several factors.

Firstly, there was little action for the team as the sport was not contested at the Myanmar SEA Games last year and last month’s Glasgow Common­wealth Games.

It also didn’t help that several key members of the SEA Games squad have called it quits in the past two years.

Long-serving Shareen Png left the team after failing to qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.

Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, supposedly the long-term replacement for Shareen, followed suit in August last year to focus on her studies.

So, it is the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, from Sept 19-Oct 4, that will give Long Yan a chance to see how much her team have progressed since the rebuilding process started early this year.

The China coach will field Katrina Ann Hadi with Tasha Jane Taher Ali in the duet technical and with Zylane Lee Yhing Huey in duet free discipline.

“We will go to Incheon aiming to finish in the top five ... that means we have to overcome Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,” said Long Yan.

“It will be an uphill task as these former Soviet nations have a slight advantage in terms of better reputation ... they have competed in more tournaments internationally and often done well.

“Katrina, Tasha and Zylane will have to outdo themselves in Incheon.

“China and Japan are a class above while North Korea and South Korea should battle it out for third place.”

In Guangzhou four years ago, Katrina, Shareen and Zyanne Lee Zhien Huey finished sixth.

Katrina, Tasha and Zylane have only been tested in two events so far this year.

Tasha and Zylane competed in the French Open – finishing 19th in the duet technical and 26th in the duet free.

Katrina and Tasha clinched gold in the duet technical at the SEA Championship in Singapore in June.

The synchronised swimming team will leave for Incheon on Monday.

Welson, A Swimmer In The Fast Lane To Success

Welson Sim showing off the host of medals and awards he has won in his young swimming career. - Filepic

LIFE was tough for national swimmer Welson Sim when he was a child.

Diagnosed with asthma in his early childhood, he had to take things easy and not exert himself.

Luckily for him, his mother introduced him to swimming when he was 10 years old. And the rest, as they say, is history.

“I was asthmatic when I was young and my mom wanted me to do something to overcome it,” recalled the 17-year-old Welson.


“She told me to take up swimming ... I gave it a try and it worked wonders!

“Over the years, my asthmatic condition got better and now I’m cured.

“Being an asthma patient should not stop anyone from living actively or competing at the highest level in sports. I’m a living proof.”

Welson took to swimming like a duck to water, showcasing his talent by mastering all four strokes in just six months.

By the time he turned 12, he was in the Sarawak state swimming team.

The Kota Samarahan lad did not take long to establish himself as a rising star in the national scene.

In 2012, at the age of 15, Welson came of age.

He made a big splash in the 14-16 age-category at the National Schools (MSSM) swimming championships by bagging six gold medals.

A month later, he impressed at the national age group championships – bagging another six gold medals. He also set a new meet record in the 200m freestyle, clocking 1:57.84 to erase the previous mark of 1:58.24 set by another Sarawak star, Daniel Bego, in 2004.

“It (2012) was a fantastic year for me as I did very well in both the MSSM and national age group championships. It gave me a lot of confidence heading into the Pahang Sukma that year. Although I was up against older opponents, I still managed to pick up two silvers and one bronze,” said Welson.

Welson’s exploits did not go unnoticed. In 2013, he earned a national call-up. Under the astute guidance of national coach Paul Birmingham, Welson continued to improve by leaps and bounds.

He became a regular in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay quartet and was involved in all the five national record-breaking feats over the past 12 months.

The quartet also won a gold at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Palembang, Indonesia, and a silver at the Myanmar SEA Games last year.

At last month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the four improved the national record twice in a day. They clocked 7:26:98 in the heats and 7:26.74 to finish seventh in the final.

The quartet are now bound for the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea from Sept 19-Oct 4 and they will be seeking to rewrite the national record again.

At the recently-concluded Nanjing Youth Olympic Games in China, Welson earned his first individual national record when he clocked 8:15.84 in the 800m freestyle to smash Kevin Yeap’s mark of 8:18.79 set at the 2011 World Championships in Rome.

Despite all his accomplishments in the 18 months with the national team, Welson is adamant that he has achieved nothing yet.

“I’m not satisfied yet ... I’m hungry for more success. I’m pretty sure every swimmer has an ultimate goal. My aim is to compete in the Olympics,” he said.

“I hope to realise my dream at the 2016 Rio Games. If not, then I’ll target Tokyo 2020.

“Before calling it quits one day, I’d love to leave a legacy by breaking all the national freestyle records.”

Only Seven Swimmers Picked For Asiad

Kevin Yeap is among the seven selected for the five-man 4x200m freestyle relay squad.

KUALA LUMPUR: Only seven swimmers will compete in next month’s Incheon Asian Games in South Korea.

The seven selected are five members of the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay squad – Kevin Yeap, Lim Ching Hwang, Welson Sim, Vernon Lee and reserve Alywn Tan. The two women picked are Khoo Cai Lin and Chui Lai Kwan.

Kevin, Ching Hwang, Welson and Vernon broke the national record twice en route to reaching the 4x200m freestyle final in Glasgow. They finished seventh and were ahead of rivals Singapore.

The seven will go under Category A, meaning the expenses will be borne by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Edwin Chong said the six juniors – double SEA Games champion Christina Loh, Yap Siew Hui, Erika Kong, Nadia Adrianna Redza, Shaun Yap and Tern Jian Han – who competed in the Commonwealth Games failed to make the cut.

“They did not swim anywhere near their personal best times, so we cannot consider them for the Asiad,” added Edwin.

For diving, Malaysia will be entering nine competitors.

Commonwealth Games 3m springboard champion Ooi Tze Liang will lead the men’s squad. The others are Chew Yi Wei and Ahmad Amsyar.

The women divers picked are Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Loh Zhiayi and Nur Dhabitah Sabri.

Malaysia will also be represented in the duet event in synchronised swimming. The three selected are Tasha Jane, Katrina Ann Hadi and Lee Yhing Huey.

“We are not expecting a medal from them. We are sending a team as they need to prepare for the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers. Many of the judges will be on duty at the Asiad and we need to expose our synchronised swimmers to them,” said Edwin.

Swimmer Welson Sets New PB In Youth Olympics

Malaysian swimmer Welson Sim broke his personal best time in the 400m freestyle at the Youth Olympics in China on Sunday. - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: There were no medals to show on the first day but national junior shuttlers Cheam June Wei and Lee Ying Ying got off to a fine start at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

June Wei, a quarter-finalist at the World Junior Championships this year disposed off Nepal’s Dipesh Dhami 21-13, 21-11 in 27 minutes in his opening men’s singles Group C match on Sunday.

The 17-year-old faces Thailand’s Mek Narongrit on Monday. June Wei will need to win all his matches as only the winner of the group moves onto the quarter-finals.

Ying Ying also chalked up an easy 21-13, 21-6 victory over Austria’s Janine Lais in her singles opening Group H match. Ying Ying takes on Katrina Beton of Slovenia on Monday.


June Wei and Ying Ying also saw action in the mixed doubles event.

June Wei partnered Hong Kong’s Ng Tsz Yau to beat the Austria-Mexico pair of Wolfgang Gnedt and Sabrina Martinez 21-12, 21-9 in Group C while in Group D, Ying Ying and Taiwan’s Lu Chia-hung fought back from a game down to beat Vietnamese-Turkish pair Pham Cao Cuong-Aliye Demirbag 19-21, 21-9, 21-17.

At the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre, swimmer Welson Sim clocked a new personal best of 3:55.72 in the men’s 400m freestyle.

The 17-year-old Sarawakian shaved more than three seconds off his old time of 3:59.21. He missed out on the final as his time was only good enough for fifth place in his heat.

Ukraine’s Mykhailo Romanchuk took the gold in 3:49.76 ahead of El Salvador’s Marcelo Alberto Acosta (3:51.32) and Norway’s Henrik Christiansen (3:51.55).

Meanwhile in artistic gymnastics, Jeremiah Loo scored 77.025 to finish 16th in the men’s individual all-around during the qualification competition.

The 16-year-old who trains at the Tuo Dong Ti Yu Guan school in Kunming, China finished ninth in the pommel horse (13.500) and sixth in parallel bars (13.575) behind top performers Ukraine’s Vladyslav Hryko (14.150) and Britain’s Giarnni Regini-Moran (14.30) respectively.

Jeremiah finished 18th in the floor (13.150), 20th in the horizontal bars (12.500), 30th in the rings (11.500) and scored 12.800 in the vault to finish 36th.

DIVING: Happy With New Partner

AFTER their exploits at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games recently, up and coming diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri is keen on continuing her winning ways with Pandelela Rinong at the Incheon Asian Games next month.

Nur Dhabitah said she has not been told of what plans national coach Yang Zhuliang has in mind for her in South Korea but is hoping to strengthen her combination with the Olympic bronze medallist.

She was unexpectedly selected to partner Pandelela, ahead of veteran Leong Mun Yee, in the women’s 10m platform synchronised event in Scotland.

Despite Nur Dhabitah carrying a hip injury and Pandelela troubled by a nagging knee injury, the duo clinched a respectable third place finish.

“I did not expect to be partnered with Pandelela at the games and I did feel a considerable amount of pressure when I was told that I was paired with her,” said the 15-year-old, when met at an appreciation ceremony yesterday for Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) students that had competed in Glasgow.

“Pandelela is a star and it was somewhat intimidating for me at first as I was not ‘very close’ with her before this.

“But she has proved to be a very good mentor for me. She taught me a lot during our time together and we get along well.

“Although she is a lot more senior than me, she listens to what opinions I have and we discuss a lot about our dives.

“I would definitely like the opportunity to partner her again at the Asian Games but it is up to the coach (Zhuliang) to decide.”

Nur Dhabitah, who partnered Mun Yee to a gold at the Myanmar Sea Games last year, added that the Commonwealth Games was an eye opening experience which has given her the confidence that she can mature into a world class diver.

“My confidence levels were not really that high going into the games as the standard of competition in Glasgow was on a much higher level compared to the Sea Games.

“But our performance there has given me the belief that I can reach that kind of standard. My goal is to win a medal at the Asian Games. It does not matter if it comes in the platform or springboard events.”

The other BJSS students that competed in Glasgow were Yap Sean Yee, Iskandar Alwi (both athletics), Loh Zhiayi (diving), Amy Kwan Dict Weng, Fatin Zakirah Jalany Zain Zalany (both gymnastics), Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri (hockey), Eddy Chew (shooting), Tern Jian Han, Welson Sim (both swimming) and Lee Rou You (table tennis).

Bukit Jalil Sports School students at the appreciation ceremony yesterday. Pic by Hasriyasyah Sabudin

Dhabitah Relishes Another Chance To Partner Pandelela

Dhabitah (right) will jump at another opportunity to partner Pandelela again. - GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri will jump at the chance to partner Pandelela Rinong again in the future.

The 15-year-old Dhabitah was thrust into the unknown when she was asked to partner 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Pandelela in the women’s 10m platform synchro at the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games. And they did not disappoint, winning a surprise bronze.

“Lela’s the star of our team ... I was never close to her before the Games. But in Glasgow, I learnt so much from her. She taught me a lot of things. I’d love to be paired with her again if given the chance,” said Dhabitah, who was one of the 11 student-athletes honoured by the Bukit Jalil Sports School at its appreciation ceremony in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The others were Yap Sean Yee and Iskandar Alwi (athletics), Loh Zhiayi (diving), Amy Kwan and Fatin Zakirah Jalany Zain Jalany (rhythmic gymnastics), Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri (women’s hockey), Eddy Chew (shooting), Tern Jian Han and Welson Sim (swimming) and Lee Rou You (table tennis).


Apart from Dhabitah, the others who medalled at the Games were Rou You (silver in the women’s table tennis team event) and Amy and Fatin (team bronze in the rhythmic gymnastics competition).

Dhabitah has had a good run at multi-sport events.

She made a stellar debut at last year’s Myanmar SEA Games, winning the 10m platform synchro gold with Leong Mun Yee.

Now, she is working hard to make an impact at the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea from Sept 19-Oct 4.

She confessed that winning the bronze in Glasgow was more “special” compared to the SEA Games gold.

“Before going to Glasgow, I had doubts about my own ability. But after winning the bronze, my confidence level went up another level. I know can reach the highest level in world diving. I just have to keep working at it and hopefully come good in the Asiad,” said Dhabitah.

SWIMMING: Final As Good As A Medal

THE 4x200m team may be the only swimmers in Glasgow on merit but a place in the final will be equivalent to winning a medal.

The team's Sea Games winning time of 7mins 27.32secs — a national record — en route to silver at the 2013 Myanmar Sea Games got them their tickets to the Commonwealth Games but they are already at a disadvantage.

Daniel Bego, who swam a 1:49 split in Myanmar, is not part of the team as he is still nursing his injured shoulder.

“That means we are without the swimmer who swam the fastest leg in the Sea Games and that places us at a disadvantage,” said coach Paul Birmingham at the Games Village yesterday.

Malaysia enter the Games as the sixth fastest outfit and Birmingham said if the 4x200m team can make the final, it will be an achievement.

“We have to contend with some tough teams, with the Australians the clear favourites. There is also the English to worry about and several others.

“Winning a medal would be fantastic but we have to be realistic and aim for our best."

Daniel's place has been taken by Vernon Lee while Lim Ching Hwang, Welson Sim and Kevin Yeap complete the team.

Birmingham, however, said the four have improved on their times since the Sea Games.

“Each is swimming at least one second faster now and that is good for them. Preparations were also smooth till the Malaysia Games came around but we have managed to get some good work in and we will see how it goes.”

(From left) National men’s 4x200m relay team Kevin Yeap, Welson Sim, Vernon Lee and Lim Ching Hwang pose with the Games mascot in Glasgow yesterday.

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BJSS Swimmers In Sync

MALAYSIA'S synchronised swimmers did the country proud by bagging one gold and four silver medals in a regional competition in Singapore recently.

The Southeast Asian Swimming Championships on June 14-24, saw more than 200 athletes from seven countries participating.

Held at the newly-built Aquatic Centre of Singapore's Sports Hub, the inaugural event covered four disciplines -- swimming, diving, water polo and synchronised swimming.

Organisers used the championships to test the new venue's systems and logistics, in preparation for next year's Sea Games.

National synchronised swimming coach Long Yan said: "I'm quite satisfied with the results because most of our team members are young and only had the opportunity to train together for a short time.

"More importantly, I'm happy they adopt a positive attitude in becoming better."

Long Yan, who has been coaching Team Malaysia for five years, acknowledged that rivals Singapore have improved a lot in the past couple of years.

"When you look at the marks in this championship, we're not far off from our rival. We still have time to train hard and come back stronger for next year's SEA Games. We'll definitely step up the pace."

Synchronised swimmers studying at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in Kuala Lumpur have had a history of success since Long Yan took over the helm in 2009.

She expects them to achieve peak endurance, strength and flexibility. In order to achieve this, they practise six hours a day, five days a week at the Bukit Jalil Aquatic Centre.

Veronica Lee, who is studying at BJSS, admitted it is not easy balancing intensive training with studies and social life.

"When I was first transferred to BJSS three years ago, it was quite stressful.

"We would wake up early in the morning and by 6.45am, we were in the pool. After two hours of training, we had to be ready for school. There was lunch break and then, by 3pm, we had to be back in the pool again.

"We would trained for another four hours, had dinner, and be ready for night classes.

"It was really hectic and tiring. But after a few months, I got used to it," she said.

"Sometimes when I meet up with friends over the weekend, they would ask me about my training schedule."

Veronica acknowledged that the recent competition in Singapore has given her good exposure.

"I'm excited to be able to participate in bigger championships outside Malaysia.

"I got a feel of the venue and crowd reaction. It has been a worthwhile experience for our team as we prepare for next year's Sea Games in Singapore."

Senior team members Katrina Ann Hadi and Tasha Jane Taher Ali, who are far more experienced at international meets, have more immediate goals to achieve.

In setting their sights on the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, in September, Katrina said the right mental attitude is just as important as physical training.

"The important thing is that we give our best and continue to build on the routine we've mastered."

Swimmers Finish Third In Medal Haul

Welson Sim (centre) poses with Yeap Zheng Yang of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur’s Wong Jun Bin after the prize presentation.

KANGAR: Sarawak ended their swimming campaign in Sukma XVII as the third best team with nine gold, five silver and three bronze medals last Sunday.

The last swimmer to win gold for the team was Welson Sim Wee Sheng who clocked the time of 16:18.14 in the men’s 1,500m freestyle race.

Second was Yeap Zheng Yang of Selangor who timed 16:33.35 while Kuala Lumpur’s Wong Jun Bin finished third in 16:37.59.

After five days of keen competition at the Aquatic Centre, Perlis Sports Complex, Selangor defended their crown by capturing 11 golds, 18 silvers and 13 bronzes.

Kuala Lumpur were the runners-up with 10 golds, six silvers and nine bronzes.

Out of the nine golds that Sarawak won, Welson Sim, Erika Kong Chia Chia and Angela Chieng Chui Fei contributed two individual golds each and the trio got their third gold in the relay events.

National swimmer Vernon Lee Jeau Zhi was expected to deliver two golds but he only won the men’s 400m freestyle and settled for the silver in the men’s 200m butterfly.

The other gold medals came from the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay (Alex Tiong, Ngui Jiung Wei, Vernon Lee, Welson Sim) and women’s 4x200m freestyle relay (Erika Kong, Nita Wong, Tan Tyng, Angela Chieng).

Sarawak’s silver medals were delivered by Vernon Lee (men’s 200m butterfly), Alex Tiong (men’s 400 IM, men’s 200m breaststroke), Angela Chieng (women’s 400m freestyle) and men’s 4x100m freestyle relay (Allister Chung, Ngui Jiung Wei, Vernon Lee, Welson Sim).

The bronze medals were contributed by Alex Tiong (men’s 100m butterfly), Angela Chieng (women’s 200m

freestyle) and Nita Wong (women’s breaststroke).

Angela Chieng was happy she achieved her target of three golds which matched her exploits in Pahang Sukma.

“I could have done better than this but I wasn’t in my top form and could not adapt to the hot weather here in Perlis, as a result I had fever,” she said.

The SMK Batu Lintang student will be flying off to Singapore to compete in the SEA Age Group Swimming Championship that will be held from June 6-8.

“I am hoping to do well in Singapore,” added Angela.

Head coach Hii Hieng Chiong expressed his satisfaction with the overall performance of the state swimmers as the majority of them had achieved their personal bests in their respective individual events.

“The new faces have shown great potential and they helped us win the men’s and women’s 4x200m relay golds.

“This is a very good sign that they can pose a strong challenge in two years’ time when we host the Sukma XIX in Sarawak,” said Hii.

He was pleased to note that all the three national swimmers Vernon Lee, Welson Sim and Erika Kong are all eligible for Sukma 2016.

Apart from the three national swimmers, 17-year old Angela Chieng is also eligible for Sukma XIX.

Hii said it was a great pity that Sarawak dropped two “expected’ gold medals, otherwise they could have finished second overall.

Amateur Swimming Association of Sarawak (Asas) president Dato Wee Hong Seng conveyed his appreciation and gratitude to the swimming team for contributing the vital nine golds to the state contingent.

“Together we make it happen and together we share the happiest moments of our achievements. Let’s get ready for 2016 and target the overall champions title,” he said.

Wee also thanked Social Development Ministry, Sarawak State Sports Council and all affiliates of Asas for their support and contribution to the state’s swimming success.



Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/06/03/swimmers-finish-third-in-medal-haul/#ixzz359iDgD9D