Former Top Chinese Diver Can Represent Malaysia In London Games

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s hopes of bagging a first-ever Olympic medal in diving in London has been given a big boost with former top Chinese diver Huang Qiang getting the go-ahead to represent his adopted country.

FINA, the world governing body for aquatics, and the China Swimming Association (CSA) have given Huang Qiang the nod to return to competition from next month.

Huang Qiang, who has been coaching the Malaysian divers since 2007, will make his comeback at the FINA World Cup in London from Feb 20-26. It will be Huang Qiang’s last chance as the event is the final qualifying tournament for the Olympics.

Good news: Huang Qiang (left), seen here chatting with national divers Leong Mun Yee (right) and Bryan Nickson Lomas during the Indonesia SEA Games in November, has been given the go–ahead to compete for Malaysia.

He will be partnering either Yeoh Ken Nee or Bryan Nickson Lomas for the men’s 3m synchro springboard in a bid to earn a spot for Malaysia at the Olympics from July 27-Aug 13.

Huang Qiang, who will be 30 in April, was a former China national diving champion and won the Asian Games silver medal in Bangkok in 1998 when he was only 16.

He won the World Cup title twice and was a strong gold medal contender for China at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the platform discipline. An unexpected injury, however just before the Olympics squashed his hopes. He was then partnering Tian Liang and they were unbeatable in the world.

Following the injury, Huang Qiang turned to coaching and he settled down with a Malaysian two years ago.

Huang Qiang, who received his Malaysian citizenship in the middle of last year, described the news as the best start to the new year.

“I have been waiting a long time to get the chance to represent Malaysia. I sent in my citizenship application a few years back when Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was the Youth and Sports Minister.

“While waiting for the approval, I coached the team. After my application was approved last June, I started serious training. Even then, I was not sure whether I would get the chance to compete.

“With everything settled now, I hope to get the chance to compete in the Olympics.

“We have never qualified for the men’s 3m synchro. But if we get in, we stand a good chance to fight for a medal as there will only be eight pairs competing.

“I feel good and raring to go although it has been a long time since I dived in a competition,” said Huang Qiang, who last competed in the China national championships in 2006.