DIVING: London Outing For Huang Qiang

CHINA-BORN diver Huang Qiang will likely return to competition at next week's London World Cup, the final Olympic qualifying competition, for the first time as a Malaysian.
The 30-year-old, who received his citizenship last July, was given the nod by national coach Yang Zhuliang following a successful four-week stint in China.

The national team trained in Quangdong province along with China's Olympic-bound divers and Huang Qiang, who quit the sport six years ago, made quite an impression during the stint.

Huang Qiang, a former Asian Games medallist, has been registered for the 3-metre springboard synchro discipline, where he will partner Bryan Nickson Lomas.

But it is not a done deal for the ex-China diver as Zhuliang can opt for a replacement on the eve of the competition, at the team's managers' meeting. Veteran diver Yeoh Ken Nee is the reserve.

"Huang's (Qiang) form and fitness is better after the stint but he needs to work harder. As for his combination with Lomas, they are doing well in training," said Zhuliang at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

"Lomas and Huang have a similar body shapes and this is ideal for synchro diving and to add up, they have been successful in executing difficult routines.

"I have given a good report on Huang's progress to the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) and the national body has agreed to register him for the World Cup."

Four Olympic spots are up for grabs in the competition and Malaysia's chances of earning one for the first time in a synchro event looks bright with Huang Qiang the China-born diver in the squad.

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).

Pandelela, the undisputed platform champion in Southeast Asia, has been registered for three events in London.

The 19-year-old will compete in both the springboard and 10-metre platform synchro disciplines and also the platform individual.

Pandelela will dive with Cheong Jun Hoong in the springboard and partner Leong Mun Yee in the platform.

The Kuching-born diver rarely competes in springboard events but Zhuliang believes she can make the grade at the World Cup.

"Our main priority in London is to earn Olympic spots. I want my divers to earn as many as possible. Pandelela's inclusion in the springboard synchro is a strategy to boost our chances of earning a spot," said Zhuliang.

Olympic qualification looks easier in individual events as the top-18 divers at the World Cup are guaranteed berths and Malaysian divers should earn a few.

The divers leave for London tomorrow.

The squad -- Men's 3-metre springboard individual: Yeoh Ken Nee; Synchro: Bryan Nickson Lomas-Huang Qiang; 10m platform individual: Bryan Nickson Lomas, Ooi Tze Liang; Synchro: Pandika Idoma-Abdul Rashid.

Women's 3m springboard individual: Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong; Synchro: Pandelela Rinong-Cheong Jun Hoong; 10m platform individual: Pandelela Rinong, Traisy Vivien; Synchro: Pandelela Rinong-Leong Mun Yee.

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Hectic World Cup Schedule For Diver Pandelela

KUALA LUMPUR: Diminutive Pandelela Rinong (pic) has a big burden on her shoulders when she features in her first competition for the year at the FINA Diving World Cup in London next week.

Pandelela, fresh from a month-long training stint in China, will have three events on her hands as she is also forming a new combination with Cheong Jun Hoong for the women’s synchro 3m springboard.

Wendy Ng formed the top combination with Leong Mun Yee to reach the World Championships final in Shanghai and take gold at the Indonesia SEA Games last year.

Pandelela is already down to compete in the women’s individual 10m platform and the synchro 10m platform along with regular partner Mun Yee.

The World Cup from Feb 20-26 is the second and final Olympic qualifying tournament. It is also an Olympic test event. To date, 45 countries have confirmed their participation.

Malaysia already have three divers – Pandelela, Bryan Nickson Lomas and Yeoh Ken Nee – who have qualified for the Olympics on merit but are hopeful of increasing the numbers.

Head coach Yang Zhuliang is also aiming for Malaysia to qualify for the syncho events for the first time in Olympic history, especially where the chances to fight for a medal are better considering only eight pairs get in.

Zhuliang, who picked the divers after returning with them from a training stint in Guangdong province, believes Pandelela is up to the task despite the hectic schedule.

“Mun Yee is more experienced in the springboard but Pandelela is much younger and able to recover faster.

“It is a gamble on a new pairing but they have been training together in China. Pandelela will focus on the synchro disciplines as we have not qualified before.

“As for the individual, she has already qualified and the pressure is not so great. There are four more places remaining in the World Cup for all the synchro disciplines and we have to fight it out with six or seven other countries,” he said.

For the synchro disciplines, the first three spots were handed out to the medallists from the world meet in Shanghai last year while the top 12 finalists qualified for the individual event.

For the World Cup, the Malaysian divers need to advance to the semi-finals to claim a place at the Olympics.

The men’s synchro 10m platform sees back-up divers Pardika Indoma combine with Abdul Rashid while Zhuliang is likely to field Huang Qiang with Bryan for the men’s synchro 3m springboard.

“I have not decided yet although Huang is doing much better in training. We still have time to decide and if he is not ready, Bryan goes back to partner Ken Nee,” he added.

The team will leave for London tonight.

Men: Yeoh Ken Nee, Bryan Nickson Lomas, Ooi Tze Liang, Pardika Indoma, Abdul Rashid.

Women: Leong Mun Yee, Pandelela Rinong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Traisie Vivien.