BUOYED by the performances of the Sea Games-bound divers in recent competitions, national coach Christian Brooker is confident his team will achieve a clean sweep in the Philippines on Nov 30-Dec 11.
Malaysia closed their campaign in the Kuala Lumpur leg of the Fina Diving Grand Prix in Bukit Jalil yesterday by securing a third gold medal through Syafiq Puteh-Wendy Ng in the mixed 3m springboard when they posted 299.22 points.
Russia’s Ilia Molchanov-Elizaveta Kuzina were second (287.40) while Switzerland’s Jonathan Suckow-Michelle Heimberg (232.62) finished third.
Malaysia’s other titles were in the men’s springboard individual (Ooi Tze Liang) and synchro (Tze Liang-Chew Yiwei).
The Sea Games, this time, will only offer gold in the men and women’s springboard individual and synchro.
Malaysia’s only rivals in the diving event, which will be held in Clark, are Singapore and Indonesia.
“Our Sea Games divers have been producing consistent performances in competitions and our target is four gold,” said Brooker.
“The men’s springboard individual and synchro are the only events we need to be wary as Singapore’s Lee brothers (Mark and Timothy) are currently doing well.”
Syafiq, who won the 3m mixed synchro with Jasmine Lai at the 2017 KL Sea Games, said he will be competing in the springboard individual in the Philippines.
“I will try my best to help Malaysia achieve their Sea Games target,” said Syafiq.
Tze Liang is likely to focus on the synchro event with Yiwei.
Wendy Ng, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Jasmine and Loh Zhiayi have been picked for the women’s events.
Malaysia added another bronze through Jasmine-Zhiayi when they posted 255.72 points in the women’s springboard synchro.
Huang Xiaohui-Wei Ying of China (291.30) topped the event, followed by Russia’s Karina Shkliar-Marina Shishkanova (255.90).