Wendy-Dhabitah Provide Golden Splash On Final Day

Nur Dhabitah Sabri (left) and Wendy Ng pose with their gold medal after winning the women's 3m springboard synchro event of the Malaysian Diving GP at the National Aquatics Centre on Sunday. - AZHAR MAHFOF/ The STAR

KUALA LUMPUR: Wendy Ng Yan Yee and Nur Dhabitah Sabri provided Malaysia a golden finish on the final day of the Malaysian Diving Grand Prix at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Combining for only the third time this year, Wendy and Dhabitah emerged triumphant in the women’s 3m springboard synchro event after chalking up 274.41 points.

Compatriots Jasmine Lai Pui Yee-Kam Ling Kar were second on 267.51 while Americans Deidre Freeman-Maren Taylor of the United States piled up 259.80 points for third spot. The Americans, however, took the silver due to the “one country, one podium” ruling applied in the championships.

No bronze was awarded as only three pairs took part. China did not enter their divers in the event.


“I think we are improving as a pair. It’s only our third outing, so it’s quite remarkable,” said Wendy, who also won the same event with Cheong Jun Hoong in Singapore last week.

Dhabitah believes she can establish a strong combination with Wendy if given the chance to compete in more championships.

“We combined for the first time at the Diving World Cup in Shanghai in July, and we managed to enter the final. We finished seventh out of 17 pairs,” said Dhabitah.

“Wendy and I are about the same in terms of height and weight, so we have a slight edge in synchronisation,” added Dhabitah.

In the women’s 10m platform synchro event, Pandelela Rinong-Jun Hoong failed to make it a double joy for Malaysia. They narrowly lost the gold to China’s Si Yajie-Ji Siyu.

The Malaysians were in pole position with one more round to go. But they botched the final dive and ended up with 327.84 points to settle for the silver. Siyu-Yajie stamped their mark with a 332.70 total.

Loh Zhiayi-Dhabitah finished third with 293.67 points, but the “one country, one podium” ruling meant the bronze was awarded to fourth-placed Katrina Young-Cheyenne Cousiheau of the United States (240.84).

Ooi Tze Liang gave Malaysia one more bronze after amassing 448.60 points to finish third behind China’s Huo Liang (532.30) and American Tobey Stanley (456.25) in the men’s 10m platform individual event.

Malaysia ended their campaign with a gold, four silvers and three bronzes to finish second overall. China, as expected, topped the medal tally with a 7-2-1 haul. A total of 10 countries competed in the championships.

M'sian Synchro Swimmers Finally Get A Chance To Impress

National synchronised swimmers (from left) Katrina Ann Hadi, Tasha Jane Taher Ali and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey all prepped for the chance at the Asian Games. — IBRAHIM MOHTAR / The Star

National synchronised swimmers (from left) Katrina Ann Hadi, Tasha Jane Taher Ali and Zylane Lee Yhing Huey all prepped for the chance at the Asian Games. — IBRAHIM MOHTAR / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s been almost three years since they last made a big splash – at the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games. No wonder the national synchronised swimmers are itching for action.

The swimmers made a clean sweep of all five gold medals in Palembang and national coach Long Yan was looking forward to building on that impressive performance.

But it never materialised due to several factors.

Firstly, there was little action for the team as the sport was not contested at the Myanmar SEA Games last year and last month’s Glasgow Common­wealth Games.

It also didn’t help that several key members of the SEA Games squad have called it quits in the past two years.

Long-serving Shareen Png left the team after failing to qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.

Emanuelle Mah Thil Da, supposedly the long-term replacement for Shareen, followed suit in August last year to focus on her studies.

So, it is the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, from Sept 19-Oct 4, that will give Long Yan a chance to see how much her team have progressed since the rebuilding process started early this year.

The China coach will field Katrina Ann Hadi with Tasha Jane Taher Ali in the duet technical and with Zylane Lee Yhing Huey in duet free discipline.

“We will go to Incheon aiming to finish in the top five ... that means we have to overcome Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,” said Long Yan.

“It will be an uphill task as these former Soviet nations have a slight advantage in terms of better reputation ... they have competed in more tournaments internationally and often done well.

“Katrina, Tasha and Zylane will have to outdo themselves in Incheon.

“China and Japan are a class above while North Korea and South Korea should battle it out for third place.”

In Guangzhou four years ago, Katrina, Shareen and Zyanne Lee Zhien Huey finished sixth.

Katrina, Tasha and Zylane have only been tested in two events so far this year.

Tasha and Zylane competed in the French Open – finishing 19th in the duet technical and 26th in the duet free.

Katrina and Tasha clinched gold in the duet technical at the SEA Championship in Singapore in June.

The synchronised swimming team will leave for Incheon on Monday.

Welson, A Swimmer In The Fast Lane To Success

Welson Sim showing off the host of medals and awards he has won in his young swimming career. - Filepic

LIFE was tough for national swimmer Welson Sim when he was a child.

Diagnosed with asthma in his early childhood, he had to take things easy and not exert himself.

Luckily for him, his mother introduced him to swimming when he was 10 years old. And the rest, as they say, is history.

“I was asthmatic when I was young and my mom wanted me to do something to overcome it,” recalled the 17-year-old Welson.


“She told me to take up swimming ... I gave it a try and it worked wonders!

“Over the years, my asthmatic condition got better and now I’m cured.

“Being an asthma patient should not stop anyone from living actively or competing at the highest level in sports. I’m a living proof.”

Welson took to swimming like a duck to water, showcasing his talent by mastering all four strokes in just six months.

By the time he turned 12, he was in the Sarawak state swimming team.

The Kota Samarahan lad did not take long to establish himself as a rising star in the national scene.

In 2012, at the age of 15, Welson came of age.

He made a big splash in the 14-16 age-category at the National Schools (MSSM) swimming championships by bagging six gold medals.

A month later, he impressed at the national age group championships – bagging another six gold medals. He also set a new meet record in the 200m freestyle, clocking 1:57.84 to erase the previous mark of 1:58.24 set by another Sarawak star, Daniel Bego, in 2004.

“It (2012) was a fantastic year for me as I did very well in both the MSSM and national age group championships. It gave me a lot of confidence heading into the Pahang Sukma that year. Although I was up against older opponents, I still managed to pick up two silvers and one bronze,” said Welson.

Welson’s exploits did not go unnoticed. In 2013, he earned a national call-up. Under the astute guidance of national coach Paul Birmingham, Welson continued to improve by leaps and bounds.

He became a regular in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay quartet and was involved in all the five national record-breaking feats over the past 12 months.

The quartet also won a gold at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Palembang, Indonesia, and a silver at the Myanmar SEA Games last year.

At last month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the four improved the national record twice in a day. They clocked 7:26:98 in the heats and 7:26.74 to finish seventh in the final.

The quartet are now bound for the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea from Sept 19-Oct 4 and they will be seeking to rewrite the national record again.

At the recently-concluded Nanjing Youth Olympic Games in China, Welson earned his first individual national record when he clocked 8:15.84 in the 800m freestyle to smash Kevin Yeap’s mark of 8:18.79 set at the 2011 World Championships in Rome.

Despite all his accomplishments in the 18 months with the national team, Welson is adamant that he has achieved nothing yet.

“I’m not satisfied yet ... I’m hungry for more success. I’m pretty sure every swimmer has an ultimate goal. My aim is to compete in the Olympics,” he said.

“I hope to realise my dream at the 2016 Rio Games. If not, then I’ll target Tokyo 2020.

“Before calling it quits one day, I’d love to leave a legacy by breaking all the national freestyle records.”

Only Seven Swimmers Picked For Asiad

Kevin Yeap is among the seven selected for the five-man 4x200m freestyle relay squad.

KUALA LUMPUR: Only seven swimmers will compete in next month’s Incheon Asian Games in South Korea.

The seven selected are five members of the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay squad – Kevin Yeap, Lim Ching Hwang, Welson Sim, Vernon Lee and reserve Alywn Tan. The two women picked are Khoo Cai Lin and Chui Lai Kwan.

Kevin, Ching Hwang, Welson and Vernon broke the national record twice en route to reaching the 4x200m freestyle final in Glasgow. They finished seventh and were ahead of rivals Singapore.

The seven will go under Category A, meaning the expenses will be borne by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Edwin Chong said the six juniors – double SEA Games champion Christina Loh, Yap Siew Hui, Erika Kong, Nadia Adrianna Redza, Shaun Yap and Tern Jian Han – who competed in the Commonwealth Games failed to make the cut.

“They did not swim anywhere near their personal best times, so we cannot consider them for the Asiad,” added Edwin.

For diving, Malaysia will be entering nine competitors.

Commonwealth Games 3m springboard champion Ooi Tze Liang will lead the men’s squad. The others are Chew Yi Wei and Ahmad Amsyar.

The women divers picked are Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Loh Zhiayi and Nur Dhabitah Sabri.

Malaysia will also be represented in the duet event in synchronised swimming. The three selected are Tasha Jane, Katrina Ann Hadi and Lee Yhing Huey.

“We are not expecting a medal from them. We are sending a team as they need to prepare for the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers. Many of the judges will be on duty at the Asiad and we need to expose our synchronised swimmers to them,” said Edwin.

Swimmer Welson Sets New PB In Youth Olympics

Malaysian swimmer Welson Sim broke his personal best time in the 400m freestyle at the Youth Olympics in China on Sunday. - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: There were no medals to show on the first day but national junior shuttlers Cheam June Wei and Lee Ying Ying got off to a fine start at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

June Wei, a quarter-finalist at the World Junior Championships this year disposed off Nepal’s Dipesh Dhami 21-13, 21-11 in 27 minutes in his opening men’s singles Group C match on Sunday.

The 17-year-old faces Thailand’s Mek Narongrit on Monday. June Wei will need to win all his matches as only the winner of the group moves onto the quarter-finals.

Ying Ying also chalked up an easy 21-13, 21-6 victory over Austria’s Janine Lais in her singles opening Group H match. Ying Ying takes on Katrina Beton of Slovenia on Monday.


June Wei and Ying Ying also saw action in the mixed doubles event.

June Wei partnered Hong Kong’s Ng Tsz Yau to beat the Austria-Mexico pair of Wolfgang Gnedt and Sabrina Martinez 21-12, 21-9 in Group C while in Group D, Ying Ying and Taiwan’s Lu Chia-hung fought back from a game down to beat Vietnamese-Turkish pair Pham Cao Cuong-Aliye Demirbag 19-21, 21-9, 21-17.

At the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre, swimmer Welson Sim clocked a new personal best of 3:55.72 in the men’s 400m freestyle.

The 17-year-old Sarawakian shaved more than three seconds off his old time of 3:59.21. He missed out on the final as his time was only good enough for fifth place in his heat.

Ukraine’s Mykhailo Romanchuk took the gold in 3:49.76 ahead of El Salvador’s Marcelo Alberto Acosta (3:51.32) and Norway’s Henrik Christiansen (3:51.55).

Meanwhile in artistic gymnastics, Jeremiah Loo scored 77.025 to finish 16th in the men’s individual all-around during the qualification competition.

The 16-year-old who trains at the Tuo Dong Ti Yu Guan school in Kunming, China finished ninth in the pommel horse (13.500) and sixth in parallel bars (13.575) behind top performers Ukraine’s Vladyslav Hryko (14.150) and Britain’s Giarnni Regini-Moran (14.30) respectively.

Jeremiah finished 18th in the floor (13.150), 20th in the horizontal bars (12.500), 30th in the rings (11.500) and scored 12.800 in the vault to finish 36th.

Dhabitah Relishes Another Chance To Partner Pandelela

Dhabitah (right) will jump at another opportunity to partner Pandelela again. - GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri will jump at the chance to partner Pandelela Rinong again in the future.

The 15-year-old Dhabitah was thrust into the unknown when she was asked to partner 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Pandelela in the women’s 10m platform synchro at the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games. And they did not disappoint, winning a surprise bronze.

“Lela’s the star of our team ... I was never close to her before the Games. But in Glasgow, I learnt so much from her. She taught me a lot of things. I’d love to be paired with her again if given the chance,” said Dhabitah, who was one of the 11 student-athletes honoured by the Bukit Jalil Sports School at its appreciation ceremony in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The others were Yap Sean Yee and Iskandar Alwi (athletics), Loh Zhiayi (diving), Amy Kwan and Fatin Zakirah Jalany Zain Jalany (rhythmic gymnastics), Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri (women’s hockey), Eddy Chew (shooting), Tern Jian Han and Welson Sim (swimming) and Lee Rou You (table tennis).


Apart from Dhabitah, the others who medalled at the Games were Rou You (silver in the women’s table tennis team event) and Amy and Fatin (team bronze in the rhythmic gymnastics competition).

Dhabitah has had a good run at multi-sport events.

She made a stellar debut at last year’s Myanmar SEA Games, winning the 10m platform synchro gold with Leong Mun Yee.

Now, she is working hard to make an impact at the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea from Sept 19-Oct 4.

She confessed that winning the bronze in Glasgow was more “special” compared to the SEA Games gold.

“Before going to Glasgow, I had doubts about my own ability. But after winning the bronze, my confidence level went up another level. I know can reach the highest level in world diving. I just have to keep working at it and hopefully come good in the Asiad,” said Dhabitah.

Problems Aside, Slyvester Finally Gets It Right

KANGAR: Third time’s the charm for Slyvester Gaing as he rose to the occasion to bag his first Sukma medals – both golds – in the men’s platform and 3m springboard synchro.

Slyvester teamed up with Carlyse Chan Wee Chiek to score 334.80 in the springboard synchro event, well ahead of nearest rivals Ikhlas-Ahmad Sharol Lail and Ng Zheng Hao of Selangor (287.82) to deliver the first diving gold for Sarawak.

Perak’s Yeap Kua Chee and Muhammad Syafiq Puteh finished third on 275.10.

The win gave Slyvester, competing in his third Sukma, a boost of confidence as he took the platform gold with a score of 276.10, well ahead of Federal Territories’ Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya (264.45) and Jellson Jabilin of Sabah (253.05).


“Honestly, I didn’t expect to win either event. It came as a surprise, but it’s a pleasant one because it finally happened,” said Slyvester, who finished fourth in the 3m individual springboard on Thursday.

The 17-year-old from Kuching joined the national development squad in January this year but was forced to quit prematurely in April due to family problems. However, Slyvester has not ruled out re-joining the squad after his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations.

“I love diving. And should the national team come calling again, I’ll definitely take up the chance. Being a Sarawakian, I’d love to emulate Bryan’s (Nickson Lomas) success and hopefully I’ll get the chance to do it,” added the Form Five student from SMK Tebuan Jaya.

Meanwhile, FT’s Loh Zhiayi bagged the women’s platform event.

Zhiayi maintain a steady lead with a series of 66.30, 75.00, 65.60, 60.90 and 57.60 to amass a total of 325.40 points for the gold - her second after clinching the women’s platform synchro with Nur Dhabitah Sabri.

Perak’s Jasmine Lai Pui Yee (241.10) picked up the silver with Megan Elizabeth Teoh (213.95) taking the bronze.

Jian Han Breaks Old Record In Backstroke Win

Tern Jian Han en route to winning the 200m backstroke in the Sukma Games on Sunday. - GARY CHEN/ The Star

KANGAR: Johor’s Tern Jian Han smashed the 18-year-old 200m backstroke Sukma record and then grabbed the gold medal in the final at the State Aquatic Centre.

The 19-year-old from Batu Pahat clocked 2:07.02 to set a new meet record in the heats on Sunday morning to erase Lim Keng Liat’s long-standing record of 2:07.27 set at the Pahang Games in 1996.

In the final, Jian Han clocked 2:09.14 to win his second gold of the Games.

Selangor’s Alex Tiong Sie Hung touched in at 2:11.85 to bag the silver while Johor’s Tia’A Faang Der clocked 2:12.55 to finish third.

“I’m very happy to break such a long-standing record. I was not targeting for it. I just wanted to go all out and swim my best,” said Jian Han.

“I went into the final wanting to improve the time but unfortunately, it did not happen. I’m a little disappointed. I think there are a few things that I can improve on, especially my technique and stamina,” he added.

Jian Han ended his most successful outing at the Games with two golds (100m and 200m backstroke) and one bronze (4x10m medley relay).

Equally impressive was Selangor’s Chan Jie. He set another meet record, this time in the 100m butterfly with a time of 55.04. He bettered Daniel Bego’s time of 55.27 set at the 1998 Selangor Games.

Penang’s Alwyn Tan Yean Yang (55.92) took the silver while Keith Lim Kit Sern of Federal Territories (56.16) finished third.

The final day of competition saw Selangor crowned as overall champions with an impressive haul of 42 medals – 11 golds, 18 silvers and 13 bronzes. FT finished second with a 10-6-9 collection while Sarawak were third with a 9-5-3 haul.

Bitah’s Good Luck Charm Inspires Her To Two Golds

Gold medallist Nur Dhabitah Sabri of FT in action during the 3m springboard event at the Sukma Games on Saturday. - BERNAMA

KANGAR: National diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri’s grandmother may just be her lucky charm when it comes to the Malaysia Games (Sukma).

On Saturday, Dhabitah bagged two gold medals – in the women’s 3m springboard individual and platform synchro events – with her 88-year-old grandmother Che Dara Daud cheering from the stands at the State Aquatic Centre in Kangar.

In the 3m springboard, Dhabitah scored 298.90 points to win the gold medal, with Selangor’s Adeline Chin Wei Ling (244.65) trailing in second and Perak’s Jasmine Lai Pui Yee (223.65) third.

The 15-year-old Dhabitah then partnered Loh Zhiayi to bag the gold medal in the women’s platform synchro.


Dhabitah-Zhiayi scored 261.78 points against the young Sarawak duo of Kimberly Bong Qian Ding, 12, and Tracia Irene Erik, 10, who scored 193.38 for a credible silver while Selangor’s Min Lim-Erica Pan Ying Xin finished third with 157.86.

“I did well in the springboard ... but the platform was a different story. I think we could have done better,” said Dhabitah.

“My grandmother has been supporting me at every Sukma since I made my debut in Kuala Terengganu in 2008. This is my fourth Sukma ... it’s nice to have her here again.”

Dhabitah has won a medal at every Sukma since 2008 – amassing a total of four golds, one silver and five bronzes.

Meanwhile, Perak’s Muhammad Syafiq Puteh piped Selangor’s Chew Yi Wei to the gold medal in the men’s 1m springboard yesterday.

Nineteen year-old Syafiq scored 319.10 poins to nick the gold ahead of Yi Wei (317.60) after a close battle.

Yi Wei led at the halfway mark with 220.60 points against Syafiq’s 213.30.

However, poor dives in the fourth (41.40) and fifth (45.00) caused Yi Wei to drop to second behind Syafiq.

Yi Wei’s sixth and final dive of 52.00 was enough to secure the silver medal, ahead of Sarawak’s Carlyse Chan Wee Chiek (315.70).

Sukma Can't Break Up Jasmine, Ling Kar Friendship

Jasmine Lai Pui Yee on her way to winning the gold in the women's 1m springboard event at Sukma on May 30, 2014. – Faihan Ghani/ THE STAR

KANGAR: You win some, you lose some. But, the friendship between national divers Jasmine Lai Pui Yee and Kam Ling Kar is too strong for them to let a gold medal come between them.

The Perak duo, who won the gold in the women’s 3m springboard synchro event on Thursday, have been friends since they were 10 years old when they started swimming together at the Ipoh Municipal Hall Swimming Complex.

On Friday, the 19-year-old Jasmine edged out her team-mate to win the gold in the women’s 1m springboard event at the State Aquatic Centre with a score of 242.35.

Ling Kar was just three points shy of the top mark, earning 239.85 to take home the silver with Selangor’s Adeline Chin Wei Ling completing the podium on 227.45.

“It is tough competing against your partner, but we’ve been doing it for years and we understand how it works. We always wish each other the best of luck. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and that’s just how it goes,” said Jasmine.

“It’s still challenging to compete at Sukma because our level is almost the same. It all depends on how you perform, that’s the only big difference,” added Jasmine, who is set to compete in the women’s platform, 3m springboard and synchronised platform.

“I targeted to win the gold today and thank God it happened. As for my other events, I’ll try my best to deliver.”

Shaun Breaks Sukma 50m Breaststroke Record Twice

Selangor's Shaun Yap on his way to winning the gold and breaking the men’s 50m breaststroke Sukma record. – Faihan Ghani / THE STAR

KANGAR: Selangor's Shaun Yap broke the men’s 50m breaststroke meet record twice in a day en route to the Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medal at the State Aquatic Centre.

Not even the 45-minute rain delay could stop the 19-year-old from clocking 29.43 to better the previous mark of 29.81 which he had set in the heats on Friday morning. Johor’s Wong Fu Kang took silver in 29.48 while Perlis’ Adam Faris Tan bagged the host’s first medal in aquatics with a bronze in 30.02.

“I’m quite happy with the time although I couldn’t improve on my personal best (28.69), which I set at the Malaysian Open last year. But I managed to defend my title with a new meet record ... so, it’s still a great achievement for me,” said Shaun with a smile.

“Fu Kang was definitely pushing hard out there and so was I because I wanted to touch first. We have a long history and it’s always good to go up against him.”


It’s turning out to be a case of friendly rivalry between Shaun and Fu Kang, who have been competing against each other since 2011.

At the Pahang Games two years ago, Fu Kang got the better of Shaun by winning both the 100m and 200m breaststroke events. Shaun took bronze that year.

In Friday’s heats, Fu Kang swam in Heat Two and set a new meet record of 29.81. Six minutes later, Shaun beat that mark in the third and final heat.

“There is a bit of friendly rivalry going on ... which is fun. He took the 100m (breaststroke) yesterday, so we’re even now. Maybe we’ll settle it on the best of three tomorrow,” added Shaun, who will swim in the 200m breaststroke on Saturday with Fu Kang.

Meanwhile, Sarawak smashed the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay meet record after clocking 7:47.31 – almost 10 seconds ahead of second-placed Selangor (7:57.29) and bronze-medallists Penang (8:01.95).

The Sarawak quartet of Vernon Lee Jeau Zhi, Ngu Jiung Wei, Alex Tiong Sie Hung, Welson Sim Wee Sheng smashed their previous mark of 7:50.29, which they set in Kuantan two years ago.

There was double joy for Sarawak when their women’s quartet of Erika Kong Chia Chia, Ill Tyng Tan, Nita Wong Zhi Yi and Angela Chieng Chui Fei bagged the gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay by clocking 8:46.99, ahead of Sabah (8:48.60) and Selangor (8:48.96).

Yi Wei Defends 3m Springboard Title

KANGAR: Selangor's Chew Yi Wei shook off first-day jitters to successfully defend his Sukma men’s 3m springboard title.

Yi Wei landed Selangor’s first gold in aquatics with a score of 389.65, ahead of Perak’s Muhammad Syafiq Puteh (328.00) and Federal Territories’ Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya (316.00).

The 19-year-old confessed he was nervous going into the event as he hadn’t competed locally in two years since his last Sukma gold in the same event two years ago in Pahang.

“My first two dives didn’t go so well, but I managed to regain my composure and get my normal rhythm back,” said Yi Wei, who scored 64.50 and 49.50 in his first two dives – his two lowest of the day.


“It’s a different feeling all together competing at the international level and here. Here, I am the defending champion and the pressure was just so much more for me to do well. So I feel really good that I was able to clinch the gold,” added Yi Wei.

He had no complaints on the State Aquatic Centre, which had received flak in recent weeks, saying: “It’s not the cleanest pool I’ve competed in but it’s fine.”

His only disappointment was not garnering a score closer to his personal best of 420 which he achieved in the same event at the World Championships in Barcelona last year.

Yi Wei will get a chance to make it a double win when he competes in the men’s 1m platform on Friday.

“Actually there was an error. I was registered late for the 10m platform so I was ineligible. Instead, I’ll be competing in the 1m springboard,” said Yi Wei with a nervous smile.

“I haven’t trained for this event since Barcelona last year so it’ll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow.”

Christina Bags 100m Breaststroke Gold, Sets Sukma Record

Christina Loh won the gold medal in the Sukma 100m breaststroke in a new Games record time of 1:12.23, as well as the silver medal in the women’s 4x100m medley.

KANGAR: National swimmer Christina Loh is not too keen on the water conditions at the State Aquatic Centre in Kangar.

But the four-time Sukma entrant from the Federal Territories got the job done anyway.

The 19-year-old completed the women’s 100m breaststroke in a new Games record of 1:12.23 to clinch the gold.

Selangor’s Phee Jing En took home the silver with a time of 1:13.03 and Penang’s Gan Xin Jie (1:15.36) took the bronze.


“There’s just been so much drama going on. They were going back and forth, saying the competition might be held in Kedah and then the roof came down. It definitely affected us swimmers with our preparations for the meet,” said Christina.

While Christina bettered her own Games record of 1:12.41 which she set in Pahang two years ago, her time on Thursday was still three seconds off the five-year national record of 1:09.82 held by Negri Sembilan’s Siow Yi Ting.

“I was gunning for a record. I wanted to do better than 1:12. But all things considered, we all just wanted to swim our best and get a good time,” added Christina, who will be gunning for another gold in the 50m breaststroke on Friday.

When asked about the condition of the pool, the 2013 SEA Games double gold medallist confessed it was not great.

“The quality of the water is quite poor. It’s quite murky, but I just swam. In the diving pool (where they do recovery), I can’t even see five metres ahead of me ... that’s how bad the visibility is,” she said.

“Now without the roof, the water is going to be so much warmer! It’s not something I’m used to because I train indoors in Bukit Jalil. In this pool, I just feel like I can’t move fast enough,” she added.

Christina also bagged a silver in the women’s 4x100m medley with Tan Rou Ying, Ong Ming Fen and Mak Ai Sin after clocking 4:29.81.

The gold was won by Selangor’s Caroline Chan Zi Xin, Jing En, Yap Siew Hui and Kok Cher Ling with the time of 4:23.24 while Sabah’s Chris Tan Li Ling, Baveliana Wong Siew Yee, Freda Pan Cheng Ru and Heng Kor Jin took home bronze (4:35.67).

Dhabitah Breaches 300-point Mark At Diving GP

Nur Dhabitah Sabri on her way to scoring a total of 302.70 points in the 10m platform individual event at the fifth leg of FINA Diving Grand Prix in Guanajuato, Mexico. – EPA Photo

Nur Dhabitah Sabri on her way to scoring a total of 302.70 points in the 10m platform individual event at the fifth leg of FINA Diving Grand Prix in Guanajuato, Mexico. – EPA Photo


PETALING JAYA: She may have missed the final again, but teenage diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri has certainly showcased her potential with the best performance to date at the fifth leg of FINA Diving Grand Prix in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Dhabitah, who will turn 15 in July, breached the 300-point mark in the 10m platform individual event for the first time on Friday when she chalked up 302.70 points to settle for fourth place in the semi-finals.

Topping the field were Chinese pair Qian Ren (370.40) and Ji Si Yu (340.55) while American Jessica Parratto (323.00) came in third.

Only the top three divers from each semi-final qualify for the final.


The Kuala Lumpur-born teenager was once again denied from progressing further by just a spot, much like at the German GP in Rostock in February.

But, this time, Dhabitah was still smiling.

“It’s the first time I managed to score over 300 points for five dives, so I couldn’t be more delighted despite not making it to the final,” said Dhabitah from Guanajuato.

“If I had executed my second and fifth attempts better, the accumulated score would have been higher. But overall, I’m really satisfied,”

The Mexican GP is Dhabitah’s second competitive meet of the year.

At the German GP, she could only finish fifth in her semi-final grouping with 269.20 points.

Dhabitah’s team-mate Loh Zhiayi also failed to progress after finishing sixth in the other semi-final with a poor 208.20 score.

In the men’s 3m springboard, Malaysia’s Chew Yi Wei was out of sorts in the preliminaries as his last two disastrous executions left him floundering in 17th place.

He was only saved from a last place finish because New Zealand’s Li Fengyang retired midway through the event.

Yi Wei posted a low 282.70 total, with his fifth and sixth dives only bringing in very low scores of 24.50 and 13.30 respectively.

“It was all fine until the last two dives, I got only ‘1s’ and ‘2s’ for those two attempts,” said Yi Wei.

“It’s very disappointing. I’m still struggling with the two high DD (degree of difficulty) dives. I need to work on that.”

Diver Zhiayi Qualifies For Youth Olympics

Filepic of Loh Zhiayi. She qualified for the Youth Olympics in August after finishing 7th at the qualifying tournament in Mexico over the weekend.

PETALING JAYA: Loh Zhiayi failed to secure a medal but managed to secure Malaysia a berth at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China, in August.

In the Youth Olympic qualifiers for diving in Guadalajara, Mexico, over the weekend, Zhiayi finished seventh in the girls’ platform final.

She was in contention for a medal as she was placed third with two dives to go. But the Asian Youth Games silver medallist failed to score well enough in her last two dives, chalking only 48.00 and 62.40 attempts for a 402.80 total.

Huang Xiaohui of China won with 487.95 points. Mexican Alejandra Orozco, who bagged the silver in the 10m platform synchro at the 2012 London Olympics, took the silver with 480.35 points. Ingrid Oliveira of Brazil finished third with a 411.55 total.

But the goods news was that the 16-year-old Zhiayi ensured Malaysia a representative in diving for the second consecutive time at the Youth Olympics. All the top nine divers are automatic qualifiers for the Nanjing competition.

Malaysia coach Yang Zhuliang was pleased Zhiayi did everything in the book to earn Malaysia the quota spot.

“Zhiayi used the same difficulty level as when she competed at the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing last year.

“She did well to make the final and finish in the top nine to qualify for the Youth Olympics.

“It was her only chance as she would not be eligible in four years’ time,” said Zhuliang.

Mohd Nazreen, however, failed in his bid to earn a quota spot for Malaysia in the boys’ 3m springboard.

Nazreen, a two-gold medallist in his SEA Games debut in Myanmar last December, finished 13th in the preliminaries with 466.55 points.

Rodrigo Diego Lopez earned cheers for hosts Mexico by winning with a 630.75 total

For the record, Pandelela Rinong made history for Malaysia when she captured two silvers in the girls’ 3m springboard and 10m platform at the inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010.

Dhabitah On Course For Asiad and C’wealth bow

PETALING JAYA: Young diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri has put herself in line for a place in the individual 10m platform event alongside the illustrious Pandelela Rinong at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games following a strong performance at the German Grand Prix in Rostock.

The 15-year-old Dhabitah managed to clear the semi-finals of the individual 10m platform at a World Grand Prix meet for the first time.

Dhabitah scored 302.85 points en route to a fourth spot in the preliminaries. The top 12 divers advanced to the semis but Dhabitah’s run was halted when she could only finish fifth in her semi-final grouping with 269.20 points.

The top three divers from the two semi-final groupings progressed to the final, which was eventually won by China’s Qian Ren with 353.40 points.

China completed a 1-2 sweep with Jie Lian taking the silver with 344.25 points while Ukrainian Jullia Prokopchuk was third with a 325.55 total.

Dhabitah, in fact, outshined her more experienced team-mate Traisy Vivien Tukiet, who competed at the 2012 London Olympics. Traisy failed to qualify for the semi-finals and was only placed 16th in the preliminaries with 260.55 points.

Coach Yang Zhuliang was full of praise for Dhabitah.

“Dhabitah performed better than Traisy for the second time at the Grand Prix level.

“Dhabitah had a very good chance to make the final as she was lying in third position with one dive to go in the semis. But she flopped the last dive and earned less than 20 points. Her nerves failed her but I still think it’s a good performance for Dhabitah,” said Zhuliang.

With more experience, the Chinese coach is convinced his young charge can go far.

“The main assignments this year are the Commonwealth Games (in July) and Asian Games (in September).

“If she improves further in the next few months, she should be going for both Games,” added Zhuliang.

The Kuala Lumpur-born Dhabitah was promoted to the elite squad last year and she made her SEA Games debut in Myanmar in style, bagging gold with Leong Mun Yee in the 10m platform synchro.

In Rostock, Dhabitah was also entered for the individual 3m springboard but did not qualify for the semis. Dhabitah and Adeline Chin finished 15th (227.85 points) and 18th (223.65 points) respectively.

Chew Yi Wei, the only Malaysian male diver in the fray, was placed 26th in the individual 3m springboard prelimaries with a 326.45 total.

Dhabitah’s Not Taking It Easy In Germany

PETALING JAYA: All eyes will be on young diver Dhabitah Nur Sabri when she takes the plunge in the German Grand Prix in Rostock this weekend.

The German meet is the second leg of this year season’s World Grand Prix Circuit and Malaysia, one of the 26 competing nations, will be represented by six divers. Besides Dhabitah, the other female divers are Olympian Trasie Vivien Tukiet, Kam Ling Kar, Adeline Chin and Jasmine Lai. Chew Yi Wei is the sole male representative.

Dhabitah will be competing in the individual 10m platform. In the 10m platform synchro, she will partner Trasie for the first time.

The 15-year-old Dhabitah will be using a difficult routine this time and it will be interesting to see whether she can hold her own against a strong cast.

She did well in her maiden appearance at the World Grand Prix Circuit in Fort Lauderdale, the United States, in May last year. She finished 14th, missing the semi-finals by only two spots.

Dhabitah then went on to claim two golds at the Asian Diving Cup in Singapore. She ended the year with a bang, clinching gold in the 10m platform synchro with Leong Mun Yee in her SEA Games debut in Myanmar.

National coach Yang Zhuliang believes Dhabitah can make an impact in Rostock.

“We started Dhabitah on a higher degree of difficulty (DD), which is even higher than for Olympic bronze medallist Pandelela Rinong.

“She did not use the routine in the SEA Games as it was not necessary at that level. But I was happy she did not let her nerves get the better of her at the Games.

“This will be the first diving competition for the year and we hope to see some good results.

“It is not going to be easy for Dhabitah to get a medal in the individual as older and experienced divers are there. We may have a chance in the women’s 10m platform synchro.

“I hope to see all our divers polish their dives. Their performances will give us an idea of where we stand ahead of the Commonwealth and Asian Games later this year,” said Zhuliang.

The divers left for Rostock from Guangzhou, China on Monday night. The national team have been training in China for the last three weeks.

Besides Rostock, Dhabitah and company will also be competing in the Canada Grand Prix in Gatineau (May 1-4), Singapore (Oct 17-19) and Kuala Lumpur (Oct 24-26).

Boredom Fails To Dim Pandalela’s Determination

A file picture of Pandelela Rinong. She feels that the centralised training early in the year is important for her success.

KUALA LUMPUR: Boredom is sinking in but national diving queen Pandelela Rinong is doing all she can to enjoy her one-month training in Guangzhou without any disruptions.

The one-month training is crucial in preparing her to face an exciting year in diving - with her ultimate goal of making a great splash in every single tournament - whether it is a small or major one.

The diving team, led by Pandelela, arrived in Guangzhou with coach Zhang Yuliang about a week before Chinese New Year (on Jan 25) and their first assignment is the opening leg of the FINA World Series in Beijing, China, from March 14-16.

It will be followed by five other legs in Dubai (March 20-22), London (April 25-27), Moscow (May 2-4), Windsor (May 30-June 1) and Monterrey (June 6-8). And there are other majors like the World Cup in Shanghai, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Incheon.

Pandelela said that the centralised training early in the year was important as the right focus during this time would be the key to success.

“Training here is really good but it can be quite boring,” said the 20-year-old, referring to her daily routine of going in and out of the diving pool to fine-tune her performances.

“I did not celebrate Chinese New Year but it was good to spend some time with my fellow divers enjoying the festive season here. During my free time, I try to catch up on my favourite television shows - Gossip Girl and Supernatural ... it keeps me entertained,” quipped the 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist.

A fun-loving person by nature, Pandelela knows the importance of striking a balance in order not to burn out.

“There are a lot of tournaments this year and I plan to do well in all of them. I plan to enter every tournament with the aim of breaking records and improving my personal best,” she added.

Last year, Pandelela did well in the World Series when she completed the season as the second best in the overall standings. At the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, she delivered a gold medal in the individual platform event and at the Asiad in Guangzhou, her best effort was winning one silver in the 10m platform synchro.

It will be a tall order for Pandelela to maintain or surpass her achievements but if her determination is anything to go by, one can bank on the Sarawakian lass to shine in all her three events (3m springboard synchro, individual 10m platform and synchronised), in all the stops at the World Series and at both the major Games.

Besides Pandelela, the other women divers currently based in China are Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Traisy Vivien Tukiet, Leong Mun Yee, Loh Zhiayi, Adeline Chin, Kam Ling Kar and Jasmine Lai. The men are Ahmad Amsyar Azman, Chew Yiwei, Mohd Danial Sabri, Mohd Nazreen Abdullah, Ooi Tze Liang and Sylvester Gaing.

Junior Dvers To Be Given Exposure This Year

Nur Dhabitah Sabri (left) and Leong Mun Yee during their event at the Myanmar SEA Games last month. Dhabitah is one of the divers who will be participating in the German GP in Rostock next month.

PETALING JAYA: It is not just the senior divers who will be making a splash this year. The juniors will also be given a chance to make their presence felt on the world stage.

It will be a busy year ahead for divers in the national set-up with the Diving World Series, World Cup, Asian and Commonwealth Games lined up.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Edwin Chong said the second echelon of divers will not be ignored either.

The Diving World Series will kick off with the first of six legs in Beijing from March until May.

July will see the divers aiming for glory at the World Cup in Shanghai before they head to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games.

Then it’s off to the Asian Games in September.

Malaysia will also be making a bid to qualify one male and one female diver for the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing in August through the qualifiers in Guadalajara, Mexico, in March.

“We will start sending the younger divers out to more assignments. They will be going to four World Grand Prix meets this year.

“The level of competition is high but it will be a good place to start establishing themselves and get noticed by the judges.

“It is important we have representation at the overseas Grand Prix as impressions matter in diving.

“Besides, Malaysia will be hosting a Grand Prix leg for the first time later this year.

“We also need the second echelon divers to come up and start bridging the gap between them and the seniors.

“We can’t depend on the seniors for every major international competition,” he said.

The National Sports Council has given the divers the green light to participate in the German GP in Rostock from Feb 21-23, the Canadian GP in Gatineau from May 1-4, the Singapore GP from Oct 17-19 and, naturally, the Malaysian GP from Oct 24-26.

The Grand Prix calendar this year comprises eight legs.

The divers who will be heading to Rostock are SEA Games double gold medallist Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Trasie Vivien Tukiet, Kam Ling Kar, Jasmine Lai, Adeline Chin and Chew Yi Wei.

The national divers are undergoing a month-long training stint in Guangzhou in preparation for this year’s assignments.

Wendy Gets To Dive With Three Different Partners

Diver Wendy Ng Yan Yee, who competed in the individual events at the Barcelona World Championships last year, will be been paired with three different partners in various important tournaments this year. - Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: Diver Wendy Ng Yan Yee will have three different partners in her quest for glory this year.

Wendy will combine with rising star Dhabitah Nur Sabri for the 3m springboard synchro and with Traisie Vivien Tukiet in the 10m platform synchro in their bid to finish on the rostrum at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.

But for the Diving World Series, which will kick off with the first of six legs in Beijing in March, Wendy is sticking to her regular partner Cheong Jun Hoong for the 3m springboard synchro.

Wendy enjoyed a breakthrough season with Jun Hoong in the prestigious Diving World Series last year, garnering three bronze medals in the 3m springboard synchro.

However, Wendy suffered a big blow as she was not picked for the syncro events at the World Championships in Barcelona. Jun Hoong was paired with Pandelela Rinong and the duo finished fifth. Jun Hoong also partnered Pandelela at the London Olympics in 2012.

The divers left for Guangzhou on Saturday and will spend Chinese New Year there next week as they go through a month long training stint.

This will allow head coach Yang Zhuliang the option to prepare two pairs for both springboard and platform synchro events at the Commonwealth Games.

Pandelela-Jun Hoong will remain as the country’s first pairing in the 3m springboard synchro. Pandelela will also double up for the 10m platform synchro as well with Leong Mun Yee.

Zhuliang felt opting for this will give Wendy the chance to prove her worth alongside the seniors.

“Both Pandelela and Jun Hoong have the same body structure. This is an important for synchro diving. But Wendy will not be left out.

“Each country can enter two pairs at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.

“We have a good chance to get both medals for springboard and platform synchro events if we prepare

well.

“Wendy will train together with her new partners when we start our training in Guangzhou on Monday.

“But for the world series, Wendy will still be with Jun Hoong as they earned their spot in the first

place.”

The male divers going to Guangzhou are Ahmad Amsyar, Chew Yiwei, Mohd Danial Sabri, Mohd Nazreen, newcomer Sylvester Gaing and Myanmar SEA Games triple gold medallist Ooi Tze Liang.

The female divers are Pandelela, Trasie, Mun Yee, Jun Hoong, Wendy, Dhabitah, Loh Zhiayi, Adeline Chin, Kam Ling Kar and Jasmine Lai.

Zhuliang added Yiwei, Dhabitah, Ling Kar, Jasmine, Adeline and Trasie will go for the German Grand Prix in Rostock next month while Nazreen, Danial and Zhiayi have the Youth Olympic Games qualifiers in Guadalajara, Mexico, at the same time.

The seniors, meanwhile, will stay back for the first leg of the Diving World Series in Beijing from March 14-16.

“The China training stint is crucial for the divers to improvise on their dives without distractions. There are many competitions for the divers this year.

“Besides the Grand Prix and Diving World Series, the divers also have the World Cup (in Shanghai in July) and the Incheon Asian Games (in September),” said Zhuliang.