Divers Set To Change Malaysia’s Dismal Show At Universiade

PETALING JAYA: There has not been anything much to shout about from the Malaysian contingent since the start of the World University Games (Universiade) in Shenzhen last Saturday but things could change when the divers make the plunge today.

Hosts China have their eyes set on making a clean sweep in the diving competitions at the Universiade for the first time and assembled almost the same line-up from the World Championships in Shanghai last month.

But despite the world class opposition, Malaysian divers can fancy a crack at snatching a medal or two if they get their acts right.

Best bets: Divers Pandelela Rinong (front) and Leong Mun Yee are expected to contest for medal in Shenzen.

Fakhrul Izzat will partner Ahmad Amsyar for the men’s 3m springboard synchro while Leong Mun Yee and Cheong Jun Hoong will bid to qualify for the final in the women’s 1m springboard individual event today.

But the better bet for medals lies on Thursday when Pandelela Rinong dives in the women’s 10m platform individual event and when she partners Mun Yee for the 10m platform synchro event the following day.

Also in with a shot to bag a medal is London Olympic-bound diver Bryan Nickson Lomas in the men’s 3m springboard and 10m platform individual events.

Diving head coach Yang Zhuliang is hoping the divers can bring cheers to the country when the competitions begins from today.

“This is the first time we are participating in the Universiade and I hope our divers can win a medal or two in the events we have targeted.

“The competition level is high as many of the top divers are university students but Pandelela and Mun Yee should bring home a medal in the women’s 10m platform synchro event if they don’t make any big mistakes.

“It will be tougher for the individual events as each country has two entries and we know the Chinese divers are stronger.

“China have three world champions in the team here – Chen Ruolin, He Zhi and He Chong.

“In fact, it is almost the same team who completed a clean sweep at the world championships and this is the strength the rest of the world are up against,” said Zhuliang.

Malaysia sent a 152-strong contingent, the largest ever, to compete in 13 of the 22 sports at the Universiade, which has drawn participation from 165 countries.

But the ones with a realistic chance to fight for a medal are likely to be in divers, archers and shooters.

The other sports Malaysia are represented in are swimming, athletics, badminton, taekwondo, gymnastics, football, fencing, judo, golf, cycling and chess.

The best showing by Malaysia was at the 2007 edition in Bangkok where Che Chew Chan won a silver medal in women’s taekwondo.