 |
| Great start: Ooi Tze Liang (left) and Chew Yiwei dive during the men’s 3m springboard synchro final in Dubai yesterday. |
The 17-year-old from the back-up squad was contesting with Tze Liang for the first time and they managed to secure second place in the men’s 3m springboard synchro with 336.33 points.
China’s back-up pair Lin Jin-Su Zewan took gold with 399.57 points while Hong Kong’s Jason Wai-Chow Ho Wing claimed the bronze (322.95).
It was Malaysia’s first medal in the Asian championships, which is held every four years.
Malaysia had representatives in swimming and synchronised swimming but they were not expected to contend for a medal.
Head coach Yang Zhuliang said Yiwei, a double gold medallist in springboard at the Kuantan Sukma in July, showed positive signs of forming a strong partnership with national team member Tze Liang.
Yiwei also won the men’s springboard at the Southeast Asia Aquatics Championships in Singapore in June and was given the chance to partner Tze Liang as Bryan Nickson Lomas had opted out due to university exams.
“It was an unexpected performance from the duo as they were diving together for the first time,” said Zhuliang.
“We were unsure about the strength of the field in the event and fielded them as they were already contesting the individual springboard as well.
“It’s a good start in the competition and we hope to win more medals.”
Loh Zhiayi was due to dive in the women’s individual 10m platform at press-time.
The 16-year-old is making her debut in the Asian championships in the absence of Olympic bronze medallist Pandelela Rinong, who is recovering from an ankle injury.
Yiwei will compete in the men’s 3m springboard while Wendy Ng Yan Yee will partner Cheong Jun Hoong for the women’s 3m springboard synchro today
No comments:
Post a Comment