Asian Games: Medals drying up for Malaysian divers
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aquatics technical director Yeoh Ken Nee is expecting diving medals to be difficult to come by over the last two days of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's diving prospects for the remaining days of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games appear bleak, according to the country's technical director, Yeoh Ken Nee. The team had initially viewed the opening two days as their best chance to secure podium finishes. During the third day, Malaysia did not claim a single medal at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
Ong Ker Ying, a diver competing in the women's 1m springboard event, finished sixth with 208.85 points. China's Lin Shan claimed gold with 263.05 points, while Long Yi Ping scored 254.25 points for the silver medal. South Korea's Kim Su Ji claimed bronze.
Syafiq Puteh, competing in the men's 1m springboard event, finished sixth with 323.25 points. Kim Ji Wook from South Korea secured fifth place with 336.20 points, while Iran's 17-year-old Sam Vajerhelabad took fourth with 344.40 points. China's Wang Zong Yuan won gold with 442.75 points, followed by South Korea's Kim Yeong Nam (373.30) and China's Liu Cheng Zan (361.45).
Yong Rui Jie, who had previously won a bronze medal in the 3m springboard synchro event on Saturday, finished 14th with 197.75 points after struggling with a poor third dive.
Malaysia's technical director acknowledged that the country's individual divers are behind their rivals, with most making their first Asian Games appearance. The divers lack experience and have not yet reached the level required to compete effectively. Despite the disappointing results, Ken Nee stated that Malaysia had exceeded his pre-Games expectations.
He had initially believed that the country could achieve only one bronze medal, in the men's 10m platform synchro event. However, Malaysia has already secured bronze medals in the men's and women's 3m springboard synchro events. Ken Nee emphasized that Malaysian diving is in a rebuilding phase following coaching changes that disrupted preparations.
He explained that exposing younger divers to the current Asian standard is part of the long-term strategy towards Olympic qualification.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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