MALAYSIA’S hopes of securing early qualification for the Tokyo Olympics in the men’s 3m springboard individual event were dashed at the Asian Cup in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Japan spoiled what would have been a party for the national squad as Ken Terauchi secured victory and the only qualifying spot on offer for the discipline with a commendable 426.10 (69.00, 67.50, 77.55, 67.50, 74.80).
Yiwei, competing with a heavily-strapped left knee, settled for second on 409.05 (77.50, 73.10, 63.00, 66.00, 47.85, 81.60) while Ooi Tze Liang completed the podium with 408.75 (72.85, 54.00, 79.20, 73.50, 52.70, 76.50).
Yiwei and Tze Liang will have to wait until the World Cup in Tokyo next year for another shot at qualifying for the Olympics.
In the women’s 1m springboard, national junior diver Ong Ker Ying edged her senior Jasmine Lai for the gold medal.
Ker Ying, who will be sitting for her SPM examinations later this year, scored a 43.20, 41.80, 46.80, 37.95, 45.60 series to emerge victorious on 215.35.
Jasmine came in a close second on 212.20 (46.80, 41.80, 39.00, 41.40, 43.20) while Indonesian Linadini Yasmin completed the podium with 153.65.
Despite her win, Ker Ying believes she still has much room for improvement.
‘I don’t think today (yesterday) was my best performance. This is my first time competing in this tournament.
So I felt quite nervous,” said the Tsun Jin High School student.
‘My entries were not very good. I still have a lot to improve on and will work harder in training.”
The women's 3m springboard individual event will be the main focus for Malaysia today with Nur Dhabitah Sabri set to fight it out for the gold and Olympic qualification in the event.