Diving Into History

SEPANG: For the first time, the diving team has a real good shot at winning medals and head coach Yang Zhuliang has vowed to guide his charges to make Olympic history when they return to the Aquatic Park in London in July.

Malaysia will be sending their biggest diving squad for an Olympic Games.

Zhuliang, who returned home with the triumphant diving squad after guaranteeing 10 out of 12 quota spots for Malaysia from the World Cup meet last week, feels that Malaysia stand a better chance of striking a first-ever medal at the Olympics in the synchro disciplines.

Success: The diving team posing for photographs at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang upon arrival from London yesterday after competing in the World Cup. The team took 10 out of the 12 available quota spots for the Olympic Games. — MOHD SAHAR MISNI / The Star

Target Duly Met

WENDY Ng Yan Yee became the eighth Malaysian diver to qualify for the London Olympics after an impressive performance in the women's 3-metre springboard individual dive-off competition in the final day of the World Cup in London on Sunday.

The divers who have qualified for the Olympics (clockwise from left) Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Huang Qiang, Pandelela Rinong, Bryan Nickson, Yeoh Ken Nee and Traisy Vivien Tukiet.

Fourth Place Finish Earns Wendy Maiden Trip To The Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR: Wendy Ng Yan Yee capped a perfect end to Malaysia’s impressive run at the FINA Diving World Cup in London by becoming the eighth diver to qualify for the London Olympics.

Wendy is set to join Cheong Jun Hoong in making her maiden Olympic appearance in the women’s 3m springboard individual discipline after finishing fourth with 283.60 points out of 25 participants in the dive-off on Sunday.

The dive-off was to decide the additional quota spots still open to make up a 34-diver field and Wendy is assured of a place with her top-five finish.

DIVING: Pandelela Soaring High

Pandelela Rinong became the second Malaysian diver to qualify for three Olympic events when she and Cheong Jun Hoong earned the country's ninth quota ticket through the 3-metre springboard synchro at the World Cup in London on Saturday.

Coach Yang Zhuliang's gamble in opting for Pandelela-Jun Hoong ahead of the more experienced Leong Mun Yee-Wendy Ng Yan Yee, paid off with a Malaysian pair breaching the 300-point barrier for the first time to secure qualification.

They finished sixth in the final with a 300.90 total. Prior to the event, Pandelela secured Olympic berths in the 10m platform individual and synchro.

Flawed Last Dive Forces Bryan To Settle For Eighth

KUALA LUMPUR: Bryan Nickson Lomas finished eighth in the men’s 10m platform final but it could have been a different story if he had executed the last dive well at the FINA Diving World Cup in London.

The 21-year-old Bryan went all the way to the final after posting 427.45 points in the semi-finals.

Bryan just went in as the last qualifier with reigning Olympic champion Matthew Mitcham just missing out, finishing 13th with 414.70.

In the final, Bryan was diving well and manage to earn praises all round for a successful execution of the four- and-a-half somersault third dive attempt.

He got 104.00 points for that stunning routine but he had to settle for eighth placing with 461.60 points after over-rotating on the backwards three-and-a-half final dive.

Nevertheless, Bryan can walk tall as his encouraging performance in his pet discipline augurs well for the upcoming Olympics in July. Qiu Bo, the reigning world champion, claimed the gold to hand China a clean sweep of all eight titles at stake in the meet with 574.90 points.

Russian Victor Minibaev took silver with 523.60 while Peter Waterfield earned cheers from the British crowd after nailing the bronze after China’s Lin Yue also messed his final attempt.

Lin Yue, part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal combination for the 10m platform synchro, ended sixth.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia secretary Edwin Chong said Bryan, who has already qualified for the Olympics earlier, had a chance to go for a medal but his last dive went wrong.

“The Olympics looks good for him. He has a chance to fight for a medal as his degree of difficulties are among the highest in the world now.

“However, Bryan needs a lot of competitions to work on getting it right at the Olympics,” he said.

Bryan will be competing in his third straight Olympics and it is also set to be his busiest as well, as he is expected to feature in the men’s 3m synchro discipline partnering Huang Qiang.

The duo became the first Malaysian pairing to qualify after earning a bronze in the event at the World Cup meet earlier in the week.

Pandelela-Jun Hoong Earn Prized Olympic Quota Spot

KUALA LUMPUR: Pandelela Rinong-Cheong Jun Hoong continued Malaysia’s fine campaign at the FINA Diving World Cup in London by winning a prized Olympic quota spot in the women’s 3m springboard synchro in only their first competition together.

Diving coach Yang Zhuliang’s gamble on opting for Pandelela-Jun Hoong over the more experienced but error-prone Leong Mun Yee-Wendy Ng Yan Yee paid off as the duo grabbed one of the four remaining spots at stake after finishing sixth in the final with 300.90 points.

Pandelela-Jun Hoong’s success means Malaysia have secured nine quota spots with three of them earned in synchro disciplines for the first time in Olympic history.

It was also the first time a Malaysian pair breached the 300-point mark in the women’s 3m springboard synchro.

China’s He Zi and Wu Minxia claimed the gold with 345.30 points ahead of Canadians Jennifer Abel-Emilie Heymans, who posted 321.90 points to take silver ahead of Italians Tania Cagnotto-Francesca Dallape.

China and Canada, gold and silver medallists from the World Championships in Shanghai last year, already qualified together with Australia and hosts Britain for the disicipline.

However, Australia failed to repeat their bronze-medal showing and it was to Pandelela-Jun Hoong’s credit that they rose to the occasion to see Malaysia join Italy, the US and Ukraine to complete the eight-nation field at the Olympics.

Malaysia will be the only Asian country to join powerhouse China to be represented in the synchro events at the Olympics.

Malaysia’s Huang Qiang-Bryan Nickson Lomas were the first to make history by taking bronze for the first time en route to winning a ticket in the men’s 3m springboard synchro while Pandelela partnered Leong Mun Yee to qualify for the women’s 10m platform synchro.

Malaysia also earned maximum individual slots in the women’s platform (Pandelela and Traisy Vivien Tukiet) and men’s 3m springboard (Bryan Nickson Lomas and Yeoh Ken Nee) while one each were won in the women’s 3m springboard (Jun Hoong) and men’s 10m platform (Bryan).

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia secretary Edwin Chong was delighted with the superb display by Jun Hoong-Pandelela.

“Mun Yee-Wendy (Asian Games silver medallists and SEA Games gold medallists) finished 10th at the World Championships in Shanghai and and it will be very tough for them to qualify, so we wanted to try out a new combination.

“Pandelela has not trained for the springboard for some time and she had to give more time to focus on the two synchro disciplines when we sent them to China for training before heading to London.

“It’s a big achievement for Malaysian diving as we have quality divers in three out of the four synchro events at the Olympics.

“Now, we hope Ooi Tze Liang and Wendy will also qualify through the dive-offs on the last day,” he said.

DIVING: Olympics History Beckons

Tze Liang, Yan Yee could make it full quota for Malaysia

ALL eyes will be on Ooi Tze Liang and Wendy Ng Yan Yee in the men's 10-metre platform and women's 3m springboard individual dive-off at the World Cup in London today.

No Asian country, apart from China, has ever earned a full Olympic quota of two divers in individual disciplines but Malaysia could become the first if Tze Liang and Yan Yee achieve their respective targets.

Six of Malaysia's eight Olympic tickets have so far been earned in individual events through Bryan Nickson Lomas (10-metre platform individual and 3m springboard individual), Yeoh Ken Nee (3m springboard individual), Pandelela Rinong (10m platform individual), Traisy Vivien Tukiet (10m platform individual) and Cheong Jun Hoong (3m springboard individual).

The dive-off is a competition for divers to fight for the remaining quota Olympic spots, made available after the proceedings of each event in the World Cup.

The men's 10m platform has 11 Olympic berths available and 14 quota spots in the women's 3m springboard.

Tze Liang failed to make the top-18 semi-final bracket for an automatic Olympic spot in Friday's 10m platform preliminaries. The 19-year-old finished 33rd on 363.75 points.

Bryan reached semi-finals when he finished 17th with 423.10. The Sarawakian-born diver was due to compete in the event yesterday.

Yan Yee bombed out of the 3m springboard on Thursday, managing only 223.15 points to finish 41st.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) secretary Edwin Chong said the squad are hoping to earn full participation in individual events for the London Olympics.

"We have a good chance provided that both Tze Liang and Yan Yee are in their element tomorrow (today). They need to cut down on their mistakes in the dive-off," said Edwin from London yesterday.

"Coach Yang (Zhuliang) is working closely with them and hopefully, they can create history for us. We are so close to achieving our target."

Cheong Jun Hoong's excellent run in the women's 3m springboard was halted in the semi-finals on Friday. She finished last in the field of 18 divers on 255.90.

China's world champion Wu Minxia led a 1-2 finish in the springboard final with 368.95 ahead of He Zi (365.40).

Italy's Tania Cagnotto returned to competition after breaking her wrist in a motorbike accident last year by taking bronze on 345.75.

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DIVING: Jun Hoong Joins The Big League

Joins teammates in London Olympics

CHEONG Jun Hoong continued Malaysia's fine run in the World Cup by sealing a quota Olympic ticket in the women's 3-metre springboard individual in London on Thursday.

The 22-year-old displayed good dives to post a 324.30 total to finish seventh in a field of 47 divers.

The top-18 divers each earned an Olympic berth.

Compatriot Wendy Ng Yan Yee finished 41st on 223.15 but the youngster has another chance of making the Olympic cut at tomorrow's dive-off competition.

Jun Hoong is the seventh local diver to qualify for the London Olympic Games and as it stands, Malaysia have earned qualification in eight events.

It was a personal victory for Jun Hoong, who once battled back from a career threatening back injury which kept her out of the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) secretary Edwin Chong said Jun Hoong was determined to emerge from the shadows of her more experienced peers.

"Her scores yesterday (Thursday) were better than her winning score at last year's Indonesia Sea Games.

"She and Wendy were on the same routine but the latter executed one dive badly," said Edwin when contacted in London.

"Jun Hoong was steady in all five rounds and kept pace with the front runners.

"Her score is good enough to make the final of the event at the London Olympics."

China's Wu Minxia topped the preliminaries with a 376.55 total followed by compatriot He Zi (365.25) and Italy's Tania Cagnotto (344.25).

Jun Hoong was due to compete in the semi-finals late yesterday.

Malaysia's pairing of Pandika Idoma and Abdul Rashid Mohd finished last in the men's 10m platform synchro preliminaries. The junior pair posted 339.63.

Bryan Nickson Lomas and Ooi Tze Liang were due to compete in the men's 10m platform individual.



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Malaysia Boast Their Biggest Ever Diving Team For Olympics

PETALING JAYA: With eight quota spots already in the bag, this will be Malaysia’s biggest diving team for an Olympic Games.

And Malaysia can still fight for three more slots in the ongoing FINA Diving World Cup meet in London.

The young pairing of Abdul Rashid-Pardika Indoma finished 16th in the men’s 10m platform synchro preliminaries with 339.63 points.

But it was expected as the duo lack international exposure and had not even competed together at the SEA Games level.

Cheong Jun Hoong was the latest to make the cut in the women’s 3m springboard individual after reaching the targeted top 18 semi-finals on Thursday.

Wendy Ng Yan Yee did not execute her dives well and finished far behind but she has a another shot at earning a second Olympic slot in the women’s springboard when she takes part in the dive-off tomorrow.

Malaysia have already secured full quota places in the men’s 3m springboard (Yeoh Ken Nee and Bryan Nickson Lomas) and women’s 10m platform (Pandelela Rinong and Traisy Vivien) so far.

Ooi Tze Liang is also bidding for a place in the men’s 10m platform preliminaries to join Bryan as the Malaysian representatives at the Olympics.

Huang Qiang partnered Bryan to make history with a bronze medal in the men’s 3m springboard synchro, becoming the first Malaysian pairing to qualify for an Olympic synchro discipline earlier in the week.

Pandelela Rinong-Leong Mun Yee also earned Malaysia a quota spot for the women’s 10m platform synchro on Wednesday.

China are the only country who have earned the maximum 12 quota spots for diving at the Olympics.

Cheong Earns Her Maiden Olympic Spot In Style

PETALING JAYA: Perseverance paid off for diver Cheong Jun Hoong, who became the eighth Malaysian diver to qualify for the upcoming Olympics at the FINA Diving World Cup in London.

Jun Hoong earned her maiden Olympic appearance in style after finishing a strong seventh in the women’s 3m springboard individual preliminaries.

The 21-year-old scored an impressive 324.30 points to easily qualify for the top 18 semi-finals scheduled to take place yesterday and, more importantly, secure an Olympic quota spot in the discipline.

Another Malaysian diver, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, bombed out, only managing 223.15 points to place 41st in the field of 47 divers.

 Impressive: Malaysia’s Cheong Jun Hoong in action during the women’s 3m springboard event at the FINA Diving World Cup at the Aquatic Centre in London yesterday. — EPA

China’s reigning Olympic and world champion Wu Minxia topped the list with 376.55 ahead of her team-mate He Zi (365.25) and Italy’s Tania Cagnotto (344.25).

A steady Jun Hoong has achieved what her more illustrious team-mate Leong Mun Yee failed to do in the springboard – earn a top 10 finish at a world meet.

Malaysia joins China as the only countries from Asia to have qualified for the women’s 3m springboard individual with the Japanese and South Koreans failing to reach the targeted semi-finals.

Jun Hoong had formerly concentrated on the platform and partnered Mun Yee to gold medals in the synchro at the 2005 and 2007 SEA Games. She was asked to switch to the springboard after coming down with back and knee injuries.

And it was not just about struggling to regain her fitness as she had to bide her time with young Elizabeth Jimie, who has since quit the squad, holding firmly as the top choice for the springboard after qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.

Jun Hoong was fourth in the World University Games in Shenzhen and managed to clinch her first individual title in the 3m springboard at the Indonesia SEA Games last year.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia secretary Edwin Chong said Jun Hong gave a very good account of herself in the preliminaries.

“Her performance was much better than what she managed at the SEA Games.

“Our mission is to get at least one into the semi-finals as we are going to have representation in all four individual Olympic events,” he said.

Edwin added that Wendy has a second chance to qualify on merit for the Olympics as she will compete in a dive-off tomorrow.

“Some countries, like China for example, have already earned the maximum two spots from the world championships last year and the dive-off is for the divers yet to qualify to fight it out for the few remaining slots.”

Leong Mun Yee Is First Female Malaysian Athlete To Qualify For Four Olympics

PETALING JAYA: Leong Mun Yee earned her place in Malaysian sporting history after partnering Pandelela Rinong to secure a coveted Olympic spot in the women’s 10m platform synchro final at the FINA Diving World Cup held on a cold London night.

The Malaysian pairing survived a nerve-jangling fight to finish seventh with 307.86 points but it was enough to give them a place in an elite eight-nation field for the discipline at the London Olympics in August.

More significantly, it makes 27-year-old Mun Yee the first Malaysian female athlete to qualify for four Olympics.

Sailor Kevin Lim is the only Malaysian athlete to feature in four consecutive Olympic campaigns stretching back to Atlanta in 1996 before his Beijing swansong in 2008.

Making a splash: Malaysia’s Leong Mun Yee (left) and Pandelela Rinong compete in the women’s synchronised 10-metre platform preliminary round at the FINA Diving World Cup, which doubles as a London Olympic Games test event, at the Olympic Aquatic Centre in London on Wednesday. -AFP

Mun Yee was only a young lass of 15 when she made her Olympic debut in Sydney in 2000 but it will be a major difference this time.

Mun Yee competed in individual disciplines in three previous Olympics but she is likely to focus on the synchro, where the duo stand a good chance to fight for a medal.

The work is cut out for Mun Yee-Pandelela, the 2009 World Championships bronze medallists in Germany and 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medallists, as they need to work on their dive consistencies as there will be no margin for error at the Olympics.

It looked like their dreams were over after they botched the third dive on Wednesday.

The Malaysian pairing also did not execute their fifth and final dive well but the damage was softened with their rivals slipping at the same time.

Three more remaining tickets went to sixth-placed Ukrainians Iulia Prokopchuk and Alina Chaplenko (308.52), eighth-placed Mexicans Paola Espinosa-Alejandra Orozco (305.34) points and Canada’s silver medallists Meaghan Benfeito-Roseline Filion (331.65).

China’s reigning world champions Chen Ruolin-Wang Hao splashed to victory in 359.58.

The duo had already qualified from the world meet last year along with Australia’s Melissa Wu-Alexandra Croak, Germany’s Christin Steuer-Nora Subschinski and Britain’s Tonia Couch-Sarah Barrow, who go in automatically as they represent the host country.

All four pairs also dived on Wednesday but it was the Malaysians who caught the eyes of the crowd in the preliminaries.

Perfect plunge: Amy Cozad and Laura Ryan of the United States performing their dive during the women’s synchronised 10m platform event at the FINA Diving World Cup at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in London on Wednesday. -Reuters

Pandelela-Mun Yee advanced to the final as the third best pair, scoring 318.42 points behind Britain (319.86) and China (340.08).

Huang Qiang-Bryan Nickson Lomas had earlier in the week earned a historic bronze medal in the 3m springboard synchro en route to becoming the first Malaysian pair to qualify for the Olympics and it was a big relief for Mun Yee to join them.

“It was our last chance to qualify and we did it. My sacrifices have not been in vain. I have put off my semester studies each year there is a major championships. Many of my course mates are already working but I have yet to graduate.

“This should be my last Olympics and I will try my best to win a medal,” said Mun Yee, who has been studying at Universiti Putra Malaysia for the last six years.

Pandelela said their third dive was a bit off and they were fortunate that it did not crush their hopes.

“The other countries all look very strong and it is going to be no different when we come back here for the Olympics,” said Pandelela, who still has one event to go at the World Cup.

She will partner Cheong Jun Hoong in the women’s 3m springboard synchro for the first time in a bid to win another Olympic quota spot.

Jun Hoong and Wendy Ng were slated to dive in the women’s 3m springboard preliminaries yesterday.

Malaysia have already earned seven Olympic quota spots out of a maximum of 12 and are set to be represented by their biggest diving squad since their first participation in Sydney in 2000.

DIVING: Sacrifices pay off

Mun Yee eyes perfect swan song in London Olympics

LEONG Mun Yee will emulate sailor Kevin Lim's record of four Olympics Games after she qualified for the London edition in the women's 10-metre platform synchro along with Pandelela Rinong at the World Cup in London on Wednesday.

Mun Yee, who featured in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, will make her fourth and final appearance in London in July before she retires.

The 27-year-old and Pandelela, bronze medallists in the same event at the 2009 World Championships, finished seventh by earning 307.86 points but it was enough to earn one of the four quota Olympic spots.

All hopes were on them to make an impact in the final after a blazing performance in the preliminaries where they finished third on 318.42.

However, average dives in the third, fourth and fifth rounds saw them plunge out of the medals.

It is, however, still an excellent effort as most of the competing nations in London are focusing on synchro disciplines.

Malaysia have officially qualified for seven Olympic events through six divers -- Bryan Nickson Lomas (men's 10-metre platform individual; and 3m springboard individual and synchro), Yeoh Ken Nee (3m springboard individual), Huang Qiang (3m springboard synchro), Pandelela Rinong (women's 10m platform individual and synchro), Mun Yee (10m platform synchro) and Traisy Vivien Tukiet (10m platform individual).

Mun Yee was close to tears after clinching her Olympic spot on Wednesday.

"I have sacrificed so much for the sport since young. I even had to defer my semester a few times over the years for competitions and finally my hard work has paid off," said Mun Yee, a third year student with Universiti Putra Malaysia, when contacted in London on Wednesday.

"I thought I wouldn't qualify for my fourth Olympic Games after failing to do well in previous qualifying competitions. Anyway, I have done well here.

"I am the first local woman athlete to qualify for four straight Olympics. It is quite an achievement but what is more memorable is that I have achieved something very few locals have managed."

China's Chen Roulin-Hao Wang clinched the gold with a score of 359.58 followed by Canada's Roseline Filion-Meghan Benfeito (331.65) and Britain's Tonia Crouch-Sarah Barrow (314.40).

"I think we have a good chance of challenging for a medal in London unlike in previous Olympics where I only made up the numbers. Pandelela and I have won medals in major diving competitions except for the Olympics. We will train hard this time."



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Pandelela Misses Out On A Place In Platform Final

PETALING JAYA: Pandelela Rinong failed to live up to her reputation as the Commonwealth Games women’s 10m platform champion after missing out on a place in the final at the FINA Diving World Cup in London on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Sarawakian, who finished fifth in the event at the World Championships in Shanghai last year, was only placed 16th with 288.55 points in the semi-finals while team-mate Traisy Vivien Tukiet ended two rungs below with 280.55.

But it’s not Pandelela’s fault as she had been instructed to conserve her energy and to focus on the 10m synchro platform in a bid to qualify for the London Olympics.

Pandelela was to partner Leong Mun Yee in the 10m synchro platform preliminaries yesterday.

Missing the mark: Pandelela Rinong (above and inset) in action during the women’s 10m platform semi–final at the FINA Diving World Cup at the Aquatic Centre in London on Tuesday. – EPA

“Pandelela has already qualified for the Olympics in the individual 10m platform discipline and this is not her main focus,” said Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Edwin Chong.

“She has to concentrate on the two synchro events (platform and synchro) where we are trying to get the quota spot for the Olympics.

“It’s enough for her to get a feel of the venue in the preliminaries and semis.

“If she had make the final last night, it would be tiring for her as she has to come back early to do the platform synchro preliminaries and followed by the final the same day.

“Pandelela-Mun Yee will be up against strong competitors and we want them to be fresh for the challenge.”

China, Australia and Germany grabbed the first three spots at the world meet last year as the top three medallists together with Britain, who get in automatically as the host country.

This leaves four more spots up for grabs and Malaysia can expect to fight it out with Ukraine, Russia, United States, Mexico, North Korea and Canada.

Pandelela-Mun Yee won a bronze in the discipline at the 2009 world meet in Germany, which saw them roped into the Road to London programme.

They took silver behind Australian pair Melissa Wu-Alexandra Croak at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games and behind China’s Chen Ruolin-Wang Hao at 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games but failed to defend the bronze at the world meet last year.

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

DIVING: No Worries For Pandelela

World Cup a platform for new routines

PANDELELA Rinong produced a shallow performance in the women's 10-metre platform individual at the World Cup in London on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old, a platform gold medallist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, was eliminated in the semi-finals, after posting a 288.55 total to finish 16th, two rungs above compatriot Traisy Vivien Tukiet (280.55) but the results meant little as both divers have already qualified for the London Olympics.

Pandelela earned a quota spot in the platform at last year's Women's World Championships while Traisy achieved it by reaching the semi-finals in the World Cup.

Pandelela was under no pressure and used the opportunity to test new routines.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) secretary Edwin Chong said Pandelela is only focused on the platform and springboard synchro disciplines.

"Pandelela did not push herself as she needs to save her energy for the synchro events. We are not too concerned over her performance today (Tuesday)," said Edwin when contacted in London.

"She is determined to earn Olympic qualification in both synchro events. Coach Yang (Zhuliang) is confident she can do it."

China's world and Olympic champion Chen Roulin won the title on 405.25 ahead of compatriot Hu Yadan (397.10) and Russia's Yulia Koltunova (350.25).

Pandelela and Leong Mun Yee were due to compete in the women's platform synchro preliminaries late yesterday.

The pair, who were bronze medallists at the 2009 World Championships in Rome, need to finish among the top 12 to make the final where they will then fight for one of the four quota Olympic spots.

Pandelela will pair up with Sea Games gold medallist Cheong Jun Hoong in Saturday's 3m springboard synchro.

In Tuesday's men's 3m springboard individual, Yeoh Ken Nee failed to make the semi-finals after posting an average 401.45 to finish 25th in the preliminary round.

However, it did not matter as he has already qualified for the Olympics


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London High As Traisy Earns Ticket To Olympic Games

PETALING JAYA: Youngster Traisy Vivien Tukiet gave herself a perfect belated birthday gift by securing a place in the semi-finals of the women’s individual 10m platform at the FINA Diving World Cup in London on Monday.

Traisy chalked up 282.75 points at the end of the five-dive discipline to finish 16th in the preliminaries – and earn an Olympic Games debut in August.

The top 18 divers at the meet advanced to the semi-finals and, more importantly, secure quota spots for their respective countries.

Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Pandelela Rinong did just enough to qualify for the semi-finals in 11th spot with 305.15 points, just ahead of China’s Hu Yadan (303.60).

Reigning Olympic and world champion Chen Ruolin of China topped the 40-diver field with 403.45 points.

Pandelela qualified early for the Olympics after finishing fifth at the World Championships in Shanghai last year and Traisy’s success means that the country has won the maximum two spots for women’s platform diving at the Olympics.

Traisy, who just turned 18 last Friday, should also be proud of the fact that she is going to be the youngest athlete in the Malaysian contingent bound for London.

Traisy was happy to join her Sarawakian team-mate Pandelela at the Olympics.

“The coach (Yang Zhuliang) said there was to be another jump-off later this week as some countries have already secured two spots and there are two or three tickets still available,” said Traisy, who bagged her first SEA Games gold medal in Indonesia last year by partnering Leong Mun Yee to win the women’s synchro 10m platform event.

“But I do not want to take that chance. I came close to qualifying for the Olympics at the world meet last year and it motivated me to do it in this final qualifying meet.”

Bryan And Huang Earn First-ever Synchro Spot In The Olympics

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s newly formed pairing of Bryan Nickson Lomas-Huang Qiang were on fire on a cold night in London as they made a historic plunge on the opening day of the FINA Diving World Cup in London.

Bryan, partnering the former Chinese diving star for the first time, survived a tough competition to clinch the bronze in the men’s synchro 3m springboard final with a total of 432.09 points.

It was not just the first time Malaysia won a World Cup medal in diving but the pair also successfully nailed the first ever Olympic quota spot in synchro diving for Malaysia.

In sync: Malaysia’s Bryan Nickson Lomas and Huang Qiang performing a routine in the men’s synchronised 3m springboard final during the FINA Diving World Cup at the London Olympic Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park on Monday.

China’s Qin Kai-Luo Yutong and Russia’s Evgeny Kuznetsov-Illya Zakharov, the gold and silver medallists at the World Championships in Shanghai last year, repeated their feats after notching 445.71 and 439.83 respectively.

China and Russia already qualified through the world meet last year and that meant that the next four finishers – Malaysia, Ukraine, Canada and the United States – earned spots to compete in London. Making up the eight-nation field for the men’s synchro 3m springboard are Mexico, the bronze winner at the world meet, and Great Britain, who qualify automatically as the host country.

With 18-year-old Traisy Vivien later confirming another quota spot for Malaysia after reaching the women’s individual 10m platform semi-finals, Malaysia already have five divers in the fray and looks set to sent the biggest diving squad in Olympic history.

The previous best was when four divers represented the country in diving for the first time in Olympic history back in Sydney in 2000.

And naturalised Malaysian Huang Qiang is definitely proud to make an immediate impact in his first competition in six years.

Big splash: Malaysia’s Traisy Vivien Tukiet (above and inset) in action during the women’s 10m platform at the FINA Diving World Cup at the Aquatic Centre in London. Traisy earned a ticket to the July London Olympics. — EPA

They raised hopes of grabbing a place in the Olympics after finishing fifth in the preliminaries earlier in the day.

Huang Qiang, who will be 30 by April, got married three years ago but it was only last year that he became a Malaysian citizen.

In his prime, Huang Qiang formed an unbeatable partnership with Tian Liang and the China pair were then the hot favourites at the 2000 Sydney Olympics before injury forced him to turn to coaching.

“I got injured days before moving to the Games Village at that time and had to drop out.

“When I started training last year after I got my citizenship, I do not know whether I have the chance to compete in the Olympics. But I trained very hard and it was tough as I was also coaching.

“Now there’s a big chance for me to go because we are in. I am happy I am able to stand on the podium for Malaysia at the same time. Now that we have qualified we will work harder as there is a good chance of getting an Olympic medal as only eight pairs are in fray,” said Huang Qiang, who won an Asian Games silver medallist in 1998 when he was only 16.

Team manager Kelvin Chong credited the pair for hitting it off.

“Huang Qiang was picked ahead of Yeoh Ken Nee at the last minute in a bid to help Malaysia qualify for the synchro discipline for the first time in Olympic history.

“We knew we were in for a very tough fight as at least seven or eight countries were eyeing the remaining four spots from here.

“Moreover, they were on lower difficulties compared to the other top pairs as Huang Qiang has not dived for so long. We were in bronze medal position after the third dive and thankfully, our pair make no mistakes,” he said.

DIVING: Among The World's Elite

Huang Qiang-Lomas bag Malaysia’s first ever medal at World Cup

Huang Qiang and Bryan Nickson Lomas (right) with the 3m springboard synchro silver medallists Evgeny Kuznetsov-Ilya Zakharov (left) of Russia and gold medallists Qin Kai-Luo Yutong of China in London on Monday. Reuters pic

 NATURALISED Malaysian Huang Qiang and Bryan Nickson Lomas made a memorable debut in the World Cup at London's magnificent new Olympic Aquatics Centre on Monday by achieving two significant firsts for the country.

Diving in their first competition together, Huang Qiang-Lomas not only clinched Malaysia's first ever World Cup medal, a bronze, but also earned a quota Olympic spot in the 3m springboard synchro discipline.

Come the London Games in July, Huang Qiang-Lomas will be the first ever Malaysian pair to compete in a synchro event at the Olympics.

It was a great achievement for Huang Qiang and Lomas, considering they only trained seriously as a pair during a recent four-week stint in China. Furthermore, they managed to put in the shade some of the world's best synchro divers in London to earn an Olympic spot.

Traisy Vivien became the youngest Malaysian athlete, at 18, to qualify for the London Olympics after reaching the semi-finals of the women's 10m platform individual.

Malaysian qualifiers for the Olympics now stand at five but more divers are expected to make the cut in the World Cup.

The five qualifiers are Lomas (men's 10m platform and 3m springboard and synchro), Ken Nee (3m springboard), Huang Qiang (3m springboard synchro), Pandelela Rinong (women's 10m platform) and Traisy (10m platform).

Huang Qiang-Lomas earned a spot in the 12-pair final by finishing fifth on 402.09 in the preliminaries.

The final started with China's world champions Qin Kai-Luo Yutong leading the charge in the first dive while Huang Qiang-Lomas stayed close after the completion of the second round.

The Malaysians were fourth after the third round before moving up to third in the fourth.

It was a nervy end in the final dive as several pairs were fighting for silver and bronze with China already having secured the gold medal.

Huang Qiang-Lomas, however, held their nerve to take the bronze with a 432.09 total, 13.62 points behind gold medallists Qin Kai-Luo Yutong while Russia's Evgeny Kuznetsov-Illya Zakharov finished second on 439.83.

As China and Russia had already qualified for the Olympics, the four quota spots, allocated for the World Cup went to Huang Qiang-Lomas, Ukraine's Illya Kvasha-Oleksyi Prygorov (fourth 424.83), Canada's Alexandre Despatie-Rueben Ross (fifth 417.42) and the United States' Troy Dumais-Kristian Ipsen (414.30).

Huang Qiang, who received his Malaysian citizenship last July, was not supposed to compete in the World Cup as he needed to go through the nine-month cooling off period in accordance with Fina's regulations for those who want to compete for their adopted countries.

But the world body changed its rules two months ago and Huang Qiang, upon receiving clearance from the China Aquatics Association, was given the go-ahead.

Huang Qiang, however, was not guaranteed a spot in the national squad as the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) felt he was not physically prepared for high-level competition after a six-year lay-off.

The 30-year-old, also one of the national diving coaches, overcame the odds by making a good impression during the team's training stint in China.

National coach Yang Zhuliang immediately recommended him for competition and ASUM agreed.

"Upon receiving my citizenship last year, I was still unsure about returning to competition but I continued training. It was not easy at first as I needed to balance my coaching and training," said Huang Qiang when contacted in London yesterday.

"Today (Monday), I am happy to be on the podium in my first ever competition for Malaysia. It is a proud day for me and I want to dedicate my victory to Malaysia for giving me this chance to compete once again.

"We are the bronze medallists in London and this makes us a medal prospect at the Olympic Games. Malaysia have never won an Olympic medal in diving ... it will be great if Bryan and I can achieve it.

"However, we need to train harder to make this happen. I have to admit that I was not at my best here and so Bryan and I did not execute tough dives. We made fewer mistakes with simple dives today (Monday)."

Huang Qiang once formed a formidable combination with Tian Liang in the springboard synchro and the pair were then the undisputed champions, leading up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games but he had to withdraw from the event due to injury.

On their plans for the Olympic Games, Huang Qiang said: "Bryan and I need to practise tougher routines. If we can get things right, then we could also be in sight for an Olympic gold medal."

In the women's 10m platform, Traisy finished 16th to make the semi-finals and also qualify for the Olympics with a 282.75 total, five rungs below Pandelela (305.15).

They were competing in the 18-diver semi-finals late yesterday.

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Huang And Bryan Make Encouraging Start In London

PETALING JAYA: Naturalised Malaysian Huang Qiang made an immediate impact in his first competition in six years on the first day of the FINA Diving World Cup in London yesterday.

The China-born diving star partnered Bryan Nickson Lomas to finish an impressive fifth in the men’s synchro 3m springboard preliminaries at the Olympics Aquatic Centre.

The newly–formed pairing secured 402.09 points after five dives to not just comfortably secure a place in the top-12 final but their performance also raised hopes of securing the all-important quota spot for the country at the London Olympics in July.

Ahead of the Malaysians are Americans Troy Dumais-Kristian Ipsen (411.90), Germans Patrick Hausding-Stephen Feck 411.96 and Canadians Alexandre Despatie-Rueben Ross (419.56) while China’s reigning world champions Qin Kai-Luo Yutong showed commanding form to lead the 20-nation field on 445.49.

The 30-year-old Huang Qiang was picked ahead of Yeoh Ken Nee in a bid to help Malaysia qualify for the synchro discipline for the first time in Olympic history.

Huang Qiang got married three years ago but it was only last year that he became a Malaysian citizen.

In his prime, Huang Qiang formed an unbeatable partnership with Tian Liang and the China pair were then the hot favourites at the 2000 Sydney Olympics before injury forced him to turn to coaching.

There is a realistic chance at the moment but it is not going to be easy as only four spots are up for grabs in the last qualifying meet for diving at the Olympics.

China, Russia and Mexico have already secured the first three tickets by virtue of finishing on the podium at the World Championships in Shanghai last year while hosts England get an automatic spot for the eight-pair competition regardless of how they fare.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia secretary Edwin Chong said it is still a very tough fight as all countries are eyeing the four remaining spots.

“Huang Qiang did well considering he has not dived in an international competition for so long. We have a shot at making it to the Olympics but they have to raise their game a bit for the final as everyone starts afresh.

“They have a chance to become the first Malaysian synchro pairing to qualify for the Olympics if we can get into the top four in the final,” said Edwin.

Commonwealth Games reigning champion Pandelela Rinong and Traisy Vivien were down to compete in the women’s individual 10m platform yesterday.

Pandelela has already secured a quota in the final after finishing fifth in the world meet last year and Traisy can join her if she reaches the top-18 semi-finals in London.

DIVING: All Hopes On New Combination

Naturalised Malaysian Huang Qiang and Lomas looking at qualifying for London
CHINA-BORN Huang Qiang will officially return to competitive diving today when he and Bryan Nickson Lomas compete in the men's 3-metre springboard synchro in pursuit of Olympic qualification on the opening day of the World Cup in London.

Huang Qiang, who received his Malaysian citizenship last July, was picked ahead of Lomas' regular partner Yeoh Ken Nee by coach Yang Zhuliang before the team managers' meeting yesterday.

Only the top four pairs will qualify for the London Olympics and Zhuliang is hoping that Huang-Qiang will clinch one of the quota spots to become the first ever Malaysian synchro combination to feature at the Games.

"I believe we have a brighter chance simply because Huang (Qiang) and I have similar body shape and weight. In world-class events, judges are strict in awarding points as they only look at perfect jumps and entries," said Lomas in London yesterday.

"Huang (Qiang) is my perfect partner. We have been practising very hard in training to get into the right momentum for the World Cup. Our combination is near perfect and I believe we can earn high points.

"I hope my partnership with him will be successful in London. It is different with Ken Nee, as he is taller than me and it is not easy to synchronise our movements."

At his prime, Huang Qiang formed an unbeatable partnership with Tian Liang and the China pair were then the hot favourites at the 2000 Sydney Olympics before injury forced the 30-year-old to withdraw from the springboard synchro competition.

Malaysia have so far earned Olympic quota spots through Lomas (men's 10m platform and 3m springboard), Ken Nee (3m springboard) and Pandelela Rinong (women's 10m platform).

"No Malaysian has qualified for three events in a single Olympic Games and I want to be the first to achieve it," Lomas added.

Pandelela is the other Malaysian diver competing today, where she will take on some of the best in the world in the 10m platform individual.

As the 19-year-old has qualified for the event at last year's World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai, all eyes will be on her compatriot Traisy Vivien Tukiet to make it count.

Traisy missed Olympic qualification by two spots in Shanghai when the 18-year-old finished 14th but chances are brighter in London as the top-18 semi-finalists are ensured quota spots.


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