Latest news with #KualaLumpur-born
New Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Divers Nurqayyum, Rui Jie shine at national trials
KUALA LUMPUR: Nurqayyum Nazim Nazmi suffered a fever recently but that did not stop him and partner Yong Rui Jie from emerging victorious in the men's 3m springboard synchronised event at the National Diving Trials today (May 10) here today (May 10). The national backup duo posted a six-dive total of 343.80 points to edge out Podium Programme divers Syafiq Puteh-Gabriel Gilbert Daim (340.62) and Sarawak's Awang Sharzan Nasrin Awang Nasaruddin-Soh Tze Kang (295.86). Nurqayyum-Rui Jie's score surpassed the Minimum Qualifying Standard (MQS) junior mark of 340.00 points - set by Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) - for the event. Nurqayyum, a world junior bronze medallist in the 3m springboard, said he was worried he might not be able to compete. "I was worried I wouldn't be able to compete as I had only just recovered from a fever," he said. "Overall, I'm proud of our performance and happy we achieved our target of surpassing the junior MQS mark. "But we'll aim to fight for the senior mark (370.00) in our next outing." Rui Jie added: "I was a little tired during the event as I had competed earlier this morning in the 1m springboard. "We didn't make too many mistakes, so I'm satisfied with the win." Earlier today, Rui Jie won the men's 1m springboard with a total of 312.75 points, finishing ahead of Awang Sharzan Nasrin (282.35) and Syafiq (279.75). The Kuala Lumpur-born diver surpassed the junior MQS of 280 points for the event. The standout performers of the day were Enrique Maccartney Harold-Elvis Priestly Clement, who surpassed the senior MQS of 360 points in the men's synchronised 10m platform. The duo amassed 400.11 points to secure gold ahead of Jared Aiden Haroid-Anilrian Normatrud (340.86) and Perak's Megat Azim Hakimi-Asyraaf Haikal Asyrad (244.14). In the women's 3m springboard synchronised event, Sarawak's Mya Yumna Schakeera and Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin took gold with a five-dive total of 200.88 points. National backup pair Cecelia Olivia Christopher Leoneil-Nur Ikmas Darwisyah were a close second with 200.64 points while Sarawak's Fabiana Anderianna teamed up with national junior Siti Nurul Jannah Malik for bronze (159.66). Dayang Nursharzyra said: "Mya and I have only recently partnered — we've only trained together a few times. "I'm proud of Mya, but I'm not satisfied with my own dives," added the former national backup diver. Nursharzyra claimed her first gold of the day in the women's 1m springboard with 217.30 points, though the mark fell short of the MQS score of 225. Podium diver Ong Ker Ying was second with 216.40 points, while national junior Teng Hui Xue completed the podium on 191.55. In the women's synchronised 10m platform, Lee Yiat Qing-Pandelela Rinong surpassed the senior MQS of 270 points to bag gold on 281.61. National juniors Eilisha Rania Abrar Raj-Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi (260.70) and Cecelia Olivia-Nur Aryna Balqis (219.81) came in second and third.
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Zazzleen's role model is her mum
SHE is the most-talked-about single mother in Malaysian entertainment, at least since she emerged on the music scene with the rebirth of Media Prima's original reality talent show 'One In A Million' (OIAM) late last year. Zazzleen Zulkifli Zain, 38, has been branded a "hot mama" with an Amy Winehouse-like voice. The Kuala Lumpur-born singer and part-time actress has also been hailed as a role model being a single parent who endured two failed marriages, yet gave her best in bringing up three healthy and happy children. Sadly, Zazzleen has put up with her fair share of naysayers and detractors who have called her "too masculine in sound" and "unattractively past her prime", throughout the eight-week OIAM Season 4 or Calpis Soda One In A Million (CSOIAM). She took such talk stoically, worked extra hard to give stellar performances in each concert, and earned glowing praise from the show's judges Ziana Zain and Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim. At the end of her two-month journey, she finished fourth and was the only other woman in the top four besides the champion, Sabahan sweetie Marygrace Jane Penserga. ROYALTY Zazzleen is regarded as "showbiz royalty" as her parents were major showbiz icons. Her father is the late actor Datuk Zulkifli Zain and her mother is veteran singer-actress Datin Normala Omar. She also has a well-known elder sister, Dr Norzizi Zulkifli, a respected performing arts lecturer and theatre director, whose works have won or been nominated for numerous awards over the years. Zazzleen is the fourth of five siblings and has one younger brother. She has three children, Bunga Hanania Adnan, 16, Zayan Rahman, 8, and Zia Zayani Rahman, 5. She is paternally from Alor Star and maternally from Bayan Lepas in Penang. "Growing up, I was the most manja daughter to my parents. In fact, they always said that I was cute and adorable like a Siamese cat!" said Zazzleen. "Back in her heyday, my mother was a great singer and she released a self-titled album containing a dozen songs which I grew up listening to and memorising," she said. Normala's best known songs include 'Citra Cinta', 'Ringgit' and 'Opah'. "Mum acted, danced and sang, and I had always wanted to follow her footsteps, which I eventually did. "I owe my fame to mum, and I'm thankful that she is still in good health and joined me at most of the weekly CSOIAM concerts," said Zazzleen. Zazzleen sang in school talentimes during her days in Sekolah Menengah Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur. "While in secondary school, I also learnt dance and led the school choir. "I learnt traditional dance from the late Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zain or Pak Ngah, my parents' dear friend," she said. BAND Zazzleen later became a Malaysia Tourism Information Centre (MATIC) dancer who accompanied live performances by her favourite female artiste, pop queen Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza. "Just as Pak Ngah became the maestro behind Tok Ti's rise to stardom, I'd credit him for bringing me up as an entertainer, too." Zazzleen has always shared her problems with her mother who is a very good listener. "It was mum who encouraged me to try my luck in CSOIAM, because it does not have age limits. "Furthermore, it does not fully rely on Short Messaging Service (SMS) votes, but marks from professional judges." During her nightclub days, Zazzleen helped form The A Street Band, which she served as lead vocalist for 10 years. "We had seven members, and while the band has since disbanded, we still keep in touch and my bandmates gave me 100 per cent support in CSOIAM," said Zazzleen. PILLAR Zazzleen describes Normala as her pillar of strength and her moral support after two failed marriages which brought her a lot of emotional pain. "Mum is a fantastic role model. She was firm and wanted her children to be independent and respectful of others. "At the same time she loved to play with us and make us happy," she said. Zazzleen, who raised her children with a little help from her elder sisters, has one regret — her former husbands have refused to reconnect with their children. "It was pretty harrowing at first, they tried hard to re-establish contact with their dads, to no avail. "But gradually, with support from their grandmother, they began to accept reality. "And today they've resigned themselves to the fact that their dads have their own lives to live," said Zazzleen. Zazzleen is currently promoting her single 'Merah' which was composed and written by Audi Mok and Shazee Ishak. "I hope to have a showcase for my mother one day. I plan to sing cover versions of her favourite songs, as well as my late father's favourites. "Mum is especially fond of 'Dia', the solemn yet hopeful breakup song made popular by Fauziah Latiff, a well-known former OIAM judge," said Zazzleen.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Justin upsets defending champ Chun-yi to reach Taiwan Open quarters
PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh sealed his first quarter-final berth of the year in style, toppling defending Taiwan Open champion Li Chun-yi of Taiwan. Despite going up against the tournament's fourth seed and world No. 17, Justin showed no signs of being overawed. The Kuala Lumpur-born shuttler was sharp and composed throughout, outmaneuvering Chun-yi at every turn and leaving the Taiwanese ace short of answers. After 46 minutes of intense action, Justin wrapped up a well-earned 21-17, 21-18 victory. Earlier, he had also impressed in the opening round with a confident 21-16, 21-13 win over another local player, Su Li-yang. He will play the winner of the match between Jeon Hyeok-jin of South Korea and Wang Tzu-wei of Taiwan.
