DIVING: Questions Over Absent Bryan

MISSING: No show at training gives rise to quit rumours

BRYAN Nickson Lomas' (pic) absence from training has fuelled rumours that the diver may want to quit the sport as national coach Yang Zhuliang is clueless about his whereabouts.

Bryan, a three-time Olympian, was granted six-month leave in January to focus on his pursuit of a sports science degree at Universiti Malaya with an understanding that he will train on a part-time basis.

However, Zhuliang said he has not seen Bryan in training in Bukit Jalil for sometime.

"I do not know what is going through his mind.

"He prefers to keep to himself. It's best that we leave him alone," said Zhuliang at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

"Yes, we granted him leave from training.

"He is also not part of my plans for the World Aquatics Championships in July.

"He has, however, indicated his intention to compete in the World University Games in Kazan in July but I do not foresee it happening."

On whether Bryan has retired, Zhuliang preferred to steer away from that topic.

The coach said a diver will not make an impact on priority meets if he does not train regularly.

"If Bryan wants to return for the Myanmar Sea Games in December, he needs to start training soon," said Zhuliang.

The Kuching-born diver, named after former England international Bryan Robson by his football fan father, began university in 2009 but deferred several semesters due to his commitments to the sport.

Bryan, also a double silver medallist at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, however, has not attended classes for the last one week as he had to return to Kuching to visit his father who is sick.

A former world junior champion, Bryan, who turns 23 on June 30, may choose to return next year for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

Bryan hopes to earn his degree in 2015 before shifting his focus to qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

He is determined to make an impact on his fourth Olympic outing in Rio following a poor performance at last year's edition in London, where he could only finish eighth in the 3-metre springboard synchro with China-born Huang Qiang and 19th in the 10m platform.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia secretary Edwin Chong said Bryan wants to compete in the Sea Games.

"He has informed us about it but we prefer to send the young divers," said Edwin.


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