Diving: Youngsters Add Depth To Squad

DEBUTANTES Jasmine Lai Pui Yee and Kam Ling Kar are among the 11 divers named by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) for the Indonesia Sea Games on Nov 11-22.

Pui Yee and Ling Kar, who are childhood friends, are likely to represent Malaysia in the platform and springboard synchro disciplines.

"I am delighted to make the final squad. Ling Kar and I will try our best to contribute towards the six-gold medal target set by Asum for the Sea Games," said Pui Yee, a Form Four student with Bukit Jalil Sports School.

Pui Yee and Ling Kar proved their worth at the ongoing Diving Asia Cup by winning a silver medal in the women's 10-metre platform synchro at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
The 16-year-olds met at a diving training centre in Ipoh when they were in primary school. Both were absorbed into the national training squad four years ago.

Bryan Nickson Lomas will lead the four-member men's squad of Yeoh Ken Nee, Ahmad Amsyar and Ooi Tze Liang while Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Traisy Vivien, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Pui Yee and Ling Kar make up the women's team.

Asum secretary Edwin Chong said his divers will compete in seven of eight events in the Sea Games.

"I believe we are good for six gold medals. We will skip the men's 10m platform synchro event," said Edwin.

Meanwhile, Leong Mun Yee failed to earn a ticket to the Olympics in the 10m platform individual yesterday.

She posted a 329.65 total to finish fourth while compatriot Traisy Vivien earned bronze with 333.05 points.

China dominated proceedings with world meet bronze medallist Kang Li winning gold by posting 378.50 points ahead of compatriot Sheng Yi on 352.15.

Mun Yee was not too disappointed with her performance as she has not been competing in individual events for a long time.

"My forte is in synchro with Pandelela (Rinong). However, I will attempt again at next year's World Cup in London," said Mun Yee.

RESULTS (Malaysia unless stated) -- Men's 1-metre springboard: 1 Zhang Sen (Chn) 415.10, 2 Qin Tian (Chn) 399.85, 3 Ahmad Amsyar 353.75.

3m springboard synchro: 1 Chi Kai-Qin Tian (Chn) 414.90, 2 Ahmad Amsyar-Pardika Indoma 355.53, 3 Timothy Lee-Mark Lee (Sin) 288.21.

Women's 10m platform: 1 Kang Li (Chn) 378.50 points, 2 Sheng Yi (Chn) 352.15, 3 Traisy Vivien 333.05.

3m springboard synchronised: 1 Jia Dongjin-Zhang Jun (Chn) 317.40, 2 Jasmine Lai Pui Yee-Kam Ling Kar 274.14, 3 Choi Sut Kuan-Choi Sut Ian (Mac) 254.88.

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Traisy Stands Tall In Platform

Petite Sarawakian lass dives to 10m gold, eyes New Delhi

WELL EXECUTED: Traisy performs in the women’s 10m platform at Aquatics Centre, Hang Jebat Sports Complex in Melaka during the 13th Sukma. — Bernama photo

MELAKA: National diver Traisy Vivien Tukiet performed to expectations to deliver Sarawak’s second gold on the second day of the diving competition at Aquatics Centre, Hang Jebat Sports Complex yesterday.

Competing her only event in Sukma, the women’s 10m platform, Traisy had no problem in beating two other national divers Kam Kar Ling and Jasmine Lai both of Perak with a total of 268.35 points.

Kar Ling collected 236.95 points to settle for the silver while Jasmine garnered 225.05 points to collect the bronze.

“Traisy easily won the contest because she is specialist in the platform while the other two national divers are not,” Sarawak team manager Amy Choo said.

At the last Sukma in Terengganu, Traisy won two golds and a silver. The golds were won with her partner Pandelela Rinong in the women’s synchronised platform and women’s 3m springboard while the silver was won in the women’s platform.

Traisy also won a silver at the Laos SEA Games last year, behind gold medallist and fellow Sarawakian Pandelela.

The 16-year-old at Bukit Jalil Sports School, who said she was happy to win the gold and did not target to win the gold, just kept cool and gave her best in the competition.

Asked whether she dreamt of becoming an Olympic diver one day, Traisy replied: “I haven’t thought of that yet.”

Prior to Sukma, Traisy has competed in the World Cup in China early last month and made it to the semi-finals.

Her next assignment is to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India this October.