Naturalised Malaysian Diver May Need To Do Double Duty At Olympics

PETALING JAYA: Naturalised Malaysian Huang Qiang may have to do double duty at the London Olympics in July.

This is a possibility after veteran Yeoh Ken Nee failed to make an impact in the men’s individual 3m springboard at the FINA Diving World Cup in London.

Ken Nee missed out on a place in the top 18 semi-finals after only managing 401.45 points.

It only earned Ken Nee, the only Malaysian representative, 25th placing in the field of 59 participants.

However, Malaysia, have already earned the maximum two quota spots for the men’s springboard with Bryan Nickson Lomas reaching the final at the World Champion-ships in Shanghai before the 29-year-old Ken Nee followed it up by claiming the continental ticket through the Asian Cup held in Kuala Lumpur last year.

Bryan was not fielded for the individual springboard this time as head coach Yang Zhuliang wanted him to concentrate on the synchro discipline as well as the individual 10m platform later this week.

Bryan may have earned three quota spots but he is expected to ditch the individual springboard now that Malaysia have successfully clinched a quota spot for the country in the synchro discipline.

Bryan and Huang Qiang stand a chance to fight for a first-ever diving medal at the London Olympics if they can work on forging a stronger partnership over the next four months.

Huang Qiang has been training since getting his Malaysian citizenship in July last year and showed he has not lost his techniques since quitting the Chinese national team because of injury six years ago.

It is now a matter of working on raising his level of performance to be on par with other competitors.

Ken Nee will be going for a swansong appearance at the Olympics as he intends to become a coach after that and Zhuliang is considering fielding Huang Qiang for the individual springboard after shining in his initial test.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia secretary Edwin Chong said they will decide on the diver when the time comes.

“The important thing was to secure the maximum quota spots and we have done it,” said Edwin.

“The men’s springboard is very competitive and I believe the coach now wants Bryan to focus more on the synchro as our chances of getting a medal is better as there are only eight pairs in the fray.

“It will be too much for Bryan to focus on too many events at such a level.”

For the record, Huang Qiang and Bryan won the bronze medal in the men’s synchro springboard in the ongoing FINA World Cup on Monday