Latest news with #MalaysiaAquatics
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysian women's springboard divers will be missing for the first time
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will, for the first time, not be represented in women's springboard at the World Aquatics Championships, to be held in Singapore from July 11-Aug 3. With three-time Olympian Nur Dhabitah Sabri on an indefinite break from competition, there is no suitable replacement. As none of the back-up divers met the Minimum Qualifying Standard (MQS) set by Malaysia Aquatics (MAS), it has opted not to field anyone in the springboard events. "It's a different selection process this time. Divers had to meet the MQS at two out of three designated competitions," said MAS diving technical director Yeoh Ken Nee. "Unfortunately, none of the back-up divers qualified for the women's springboard events, so we will not be sending anyone." Identifying a successor to Dhabitah has proved to be challenging, especially after Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin withdrew from the national back-up programme earlier this year due to a back injury. Ken Nee said last month that MAS was in the process of transitioning senior platform divers to the springboard discipline to strengthen a department currently lacking depth and quality. MAS will be sending its smallest contingent to the World Championships in years, with only seven divers selected. Pandelela Rinong and Sea Games gold medallist Lee Yiat Qing will carry the country's hopes in the women's 10m individual and synchronised platform events. In the men's 10m platform, Enrique Harold Maccartney and Elvis Priestly Anak Clement will compete in the individual event and team up for the synchronised discipline. Veteran Syafiq Puteh will lead Malaysia's charge in the individual men's 3m springboard event. Juniors Nurqayyum Nazmi Nazim and Yong Rui Jie are set to make their World Championships debut, featuring in the 3m synchronised and 1m springboard events, respectively. "They're not going just for experience — we're hopeful they can reach a few finals," added Ken Nee.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysian women will be missing for the first time
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will, for the first time, not be represented in women's springboard at the World Aquatics Championships, to be held in Singapore from July 11-Aug 3. With three-time Olympian Nur Dhabitah Sabri on an indefinite break from competition, there is no suitable replacement. As none of the back-up divers met the Minimum Qualifying Standard (MQS) set by Malaysia Aquatics (MAS), it has opted not to field anyone in the springboard events. "It's a different selection process this time. Divers had to meet the MQS at two out of three designated competitions," said MAS diving technical director Yeoh Ken Nee. "Unfortunately, none of the back-up divers qualified for the women's springboard events, so we will not be sending anyone." Identifying a successor to Dhabitah has proved to be challenging, especially after Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin withdrew from the national back-up programme earlier this year due to a back injury. Ken Nee said last month that MAS was in the process of transitioning senior platform divers to the springboard discipline to strengthen a department currently lacking depth and quality. MAS will be sending its smallest contingent to the World Championships in years, with only seven divers selected. Pandelela Rinong and Sea Games gold medallist Lee Yiat Qing will carry the country's hopes in the women's 10m individual and synchronised platform events. In the men's 10m platform, Enrique Harold Maccartney and Elvis Priestly Anak Clement will compete in the individual event and team up for the synchronised discipline. Veteran Syafiq Puteh will lead Malaysia's charge in the individual men's 3m springboard event. Juniors Nurqayyum Nazmi Nazim and Yong Rui Jie are set to make their World Championships debut, featuring in the 3m synchronised and 1m springboard events, respectively. "They're not going just for experience — we're hopeful they can reach a few finals," added Ken Nee.
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
MAS looks to reassign divers in a bid to strengthen springboard department
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) is looking to encourage senior women's national platform divers to switch to the springboard discipline due to a shortage of strong talent in the latter. MAS diving technical director Yeoh Ken Nee said there is currently an imbalance of talent in the women's squad. Traditionally, the platform discipline has delivered more medals for Malaysia in global competitions such as the Olympics and the World Championships through divers such as Pandelela Rinong, Cheong Jun Hoong and Datuk Leong Mun Yee. "We have to admit that we currently don't have strong female divers in the springboard discipline," said Ken Nee recently. "We have more female divers coming through the ranks in the platform at the moment. "So we are looking to encourage senior divers, who may no longer wish to compete in the platform, to consider switching to the springboard. Ken Nee added that switching to the springboard discipline, which places a lesser physical strain on the body, could help extend the careers of the senior divers. He, however, stressed youth development remains a priority across both disciplines. "At least they (seniors) can continue their careers in the springboard," said Ken Nee. "But at the same time we are also pushing for young divers development to ensure we have a more even distribution of talent across the two disciplines in the future." On a separate note, Ken Nee said Elvis Priestly Clement-Enrique Maccartney Harold have essentially secured their spot in the squad for the Singapore World Championships (July 11-Aug 3). The duo dominated the field at the recent National Diving Trials on Saturday (May 10) in the men's 10m platform synchronised event. They clinched gold on a six-dive total of 400.11 which comfortably exceeded MAS's Minimum Qualifying Standard (MQS) of 360 points. "They've surpassed the MQS more than three times, so they are certainly qualified to represent the country at the World Championships," said Ken Nee. "However, we still need to deliberate with the diving committee before finalising the squad for Singapore." To put their achievement into perspective, their score would have secured fourth place at last year's World Championships in Doha and sixth at the Paris Olympics.
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pandelela still the one to beat, wins tune-up ahead of world meet
KUALA LUMPUR: Senior diver Pandelela Rinong has been competing in the National Trials to add variety to her dives ahead of the World Championships in Singapore, scheduled from July 11-Aug 3. At the trials today (May 11), the 32-year-old topped the women's 10m platform event with a total score of 270.20, finishing ahead of national junior diver Nur Eilisha Rania Abrar Raj (249.65) and Phnom Penh SEA Games champion Lee Yiat Qing (242.85). Although her score fell short of the Minimum Qualifying Standard (MQS) of 290, Pandelela said the meet was a mental and physical tune-up for the upcoming world meet. MQS is a qualifying standard that Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) have introduced to ensure that divers sent for competitions abroad are in good form. "I'm using the National Trials to prepare mentally for the World Championships," said Pandelela after the medal ceremony. "I've already surpassed the MQS twice (in previous meets) but still chose to compete here to avoid getting stuck in repetitive training routines. "I need to work on my physical and mental fitness, as well as my consistency, in the lead-up to the world championships." Pandelela had previously met the MQS at last year's National Trials in September and again at the Malaysia Open in November, confirming her eligibility for international competition. She expressed satisfaction with her performance, especially for completing the competition injury-free, and also praised the progress shown by junior divers. "My performance today was just okay. I think I was a bit lucky to win," she admitted. "But I'm really happy with how the juniors are coming along. Give them another one or two years and they'll be challenging me for my spot." The win marked her second triumph at the National Trials, having also clinched the synchronised 10m platform title on Saturday (May 10) with partner Yiat Qing. In the men's 10m platform event, national backup squad member Elvis Priestly Clement caused a major upset by outscoring Paris Olympian Bertrand Rhodict Lises. Elvis delivered a steady performance to amass 375.50 points, finishing ahead of Podium Programme diver Anilrian Normatrud (350.50) and Bertrand (350.40). His score also exceeded the junior MQS mark of 320. "I'm pleased with my score, which is above the junior MQS," said Elvis. "I still need to work harder to achieve better scores in the future. "I had a poor dive at a previous event that left me with pain in my face and ribs, but I managed to push through and win today."
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.
