Latest news with #PodiumProgramme
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."
The Star
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Divers under pressure to meet MQS at trials or miss chances for world meet
KUALA LUMPUR: The heat is on the divers to meet the Minimum Qualifying Score (MQS) during the national trials today in Bukit Jalil. Whether the divers are from the Podium Programme or from the back-up squad, they will have to hit the MQS or kiss goodbye to their chances to represent the country in the upcoming World Championships in Singapore from July 11-Aug 3.
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.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
It's not about the money for Wani – bowler eyes personal achievement
PETALING JAYA: Former world youth bowling champion Nur Syazwani Sahar is determined to go all the way in the Kuala Lumpur International Open (KLIO), which is set to return to Sunway Mega Lanes from May 25 to June 1. The Podium Programme bowler is eyeing a stronger performance this year after finishing second overall last year.
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Snooker, billiard players capable of contributing gold medal in SEA Games
GEORGE TOWN: Snooker and billiards players, especially from Penang, are expected to contribute gold medals to the national contingent at the 2027 SEA Games, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. She said Penang indeed has outstanding players in the sport of snooker and billiards, so with the availability of specialized training facilities such as the Northern Region Billiards and Snooker Academy in Bayan Baru, it can produce more champions in the sport. 'For the SEA Games, we are indeed hopeful that athletes from this state will help us get gold medals,' she told reporters after inaugurating the Northern Region Billiards and Snooker Academy in Bayan Baru near here, today. Also present were Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman, Penang Billiards and Snooker Association President Datuk Michael Tan Cheong Heng and Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tsin. Elaborating further, Hannah said Penang had also offered to host the 2027 SEA Games and she hoped that snooker and billiards would also be contested in the state depending on the decision of the organising committee. Commenting on the development of the sport, she said training centres such as the Northern Region Billiards and Snooker Academy allow athletes to train consistently without having to move places, thus helping the development of talent from an early stage. In addition, she said currently only three national players in the sport of snooker and billiards are in the Podium Programme, but it is estimated that there are around 300,000 active players in the sport nationwide. 'Snooker and billiards is suitable for all ages, and we even promote them for the elderly because it does not depend on weather factors,' she said. Meanwhile, Hannah said the proposal to open more snooker academies in other states depends on the commitment of the state government and also the level of activity of the association at the state level. 'To create a center like this is not cheap. The National Sports Council (MSN) has allocated RM500,000 for equipment while the state government has provided RM1.3 million for renovation works. So I can't promise that it will be opened in all states,' she said. On the issue of licensing snooker and billiards centres, Hannah said there were still constraints since the sport has been categorised as entertainment by some local authorities (PBT), hence it was subject to entertainment tax. 'I have raised this issue to all state Youth and Sports Exco, but the action is still not comprehensive because it depends on the policies of each state and their respective local authorities,' she said. She said her ministry is also always ready to provide support and confirmation letters to centres that are eligible to carry out snooker and billiards sports activities to facilitate the licensing process.
