Former gymnast Ayu stuns established rivals to clinch diving gold
SHAH ALAM: Former gymnast Ayu Syuhaida Khairul had only joined the Selangor diving squad in January but just eight months later, is now a gold medallist in the sport at the Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Shah Alam: Former gymnast Ayu Syuhaida Khairul has stunned her established rivals to claim the gold in the women's 3m springboard individual event at the Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma). The 14-year-old joined the Selangor diving squad just eight months ago, and now she is a gold medallist. Ayu scored 43.20, 48.60, 50.40, 51.80, and 43.20 for a total of 237.20 in the final at the Darul Ehsan Aquatics Centre on Sunday.
Dayang Nurshazyra Awang Nasaruddin from Sarawak came in second with a score of 223.20, while Lee Yiat Qing from the Federal Territories finished third with 216.10. Ayu expressed her disbelief at winning the gold, admitting she was competing against strong divers. She credited her coach, Rossharisham Roslan, for convincing her that she could excel in diving despite her previous success in gymnastics.
The transition from gymnastics to diving was not difficult for Ayu as the movements are similar. She hopes to compete at the Olympics in the future. Ayu also won bronze in the mixed platform synchronised event with her teammate Aeriel Riezqi Abdullah, scoring 213.78. Sarawak's national team divers Nur Eilisha Rania Abrar, Raj-Elvis Priestly Clement, and Federal Territories' Yiat Qing-Nurqayyum Nazmi Nazim took the top three spots in the men's 3m springboard individual event.
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