Malaysia hits gold medal target via Tze Liang, Muhammad Nazreen



Gold medallist Muhammad Nazreen Abdullah (centre) of Malaysia, silver medallist and compatriot Ooi Tze Liang (left) and bronze medallist Adityo Restu Putra of Indonesia pose with their medals after the men's 10m platform final

during the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar. — Reuters pic

NAYPYITAW, Dec 21 — Malaysia have met their target of 40 gold at the SEA Games in Myanmar when the diving pair of Ooi Tze Liang/Muhammad Nazreen Abdullah won the men’s 10m synchronised platform event at the Wunna Theikdi Aquatics Centre today.

 

The event today concluded Tze Liang’s outing in the games with three gold and Muhammad Nazreen with two gold.

 

Malaysia is holding high hopes for the eighth gold when Nur Dhabi Sabri/Leong Mun Yee turn out for the women’s 10m synchronised platform later. — Bernama

 

 

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/sports/article/malaysia-hits-gold-medal-target-via-tze-liang-muhammad-nazreen



Pessimism Costs Zhiayi A Medal

By TAN MING WAI

Loh Zhiayi

LOH ZHIAYI did not expect to add on to her medal tally at the 2nd Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China as she finished fourth in the girls 3m springboard final this afternoon.

The 16-year-old, who clinched silver in the platform discipline yesterday, did not think herself worthy of a medal in the event that she hardly practises in.

However, Zhiayi will surely be disappointed with the way the competition ended, considering she did actually have a chance of stepping onto the podium.

In fact she even started off brilliantly and was placed second after her first dive. Although she dropped to third place by the time round two ended, she was still looking comfortable for a bronze medal finish.

Then disaster struck in her third attempt as a bad entry left her with dismal scores.

With Chinese pair Shen Yi and Wang Weijie already cruising ahead for a 1-2 finish, Zhiayi’s third spot was under threat with nearest rival Kim Su Ji of South Korea, just 1.2 points behind.

Zhiayi bounced back with better execution in the fourth and final dive, but she could do nothing to stop Su Ji – who also dived superbly and had the advantage of higher degree of difficulty (DD) routine – from surpassing her and taking over the bronze medal spot.

Zhiayi amassed a total of 434.80, settling in fourth behind Shen Yi (465.75), Weijie (448.20) and Su Ji (441.00).

“It was quite frustrating as one dive ruined it all. I could have won one more medal … wasted again (referring to missing on gold medal yesterday),” said Zhiayi.

“The opponents I faced today, they are all good springboard divers.

“That is why I didn’t think I had a chance. I think I did the best I could, with the exception of my third dive in the final.

“It’s all over now; at least I’m bringing home a silver after all. It’s time to look forward to next competition.”

Meanwhile, in the boys platform final held hours later, Muhd Nazreen Abdullah could only finish fifth after chalking up 442.70 points.

Diving powerhouse China dominated the top two standings, with Yue Qi (539.75) and Zeng Jiajie (517.30) winning the gold and silver respectively.

Bronze went to North Korea’s Ri Hyonju (477.70).

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Zhiayi Settles For Silver

By TAN MING WAI

Loh Zhiayi receiving her runners-up medal.

LOH ZHIAYI did a Pandelela by committing a blunder in her final attempt to only settle for silver medal in the girls platform at 2nd Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China this evening.

It is the first medal for the Malaysian contingent on the opening day of the Games.

The 16-year-old lass could have won a historic gold medal if she did not lose balance when attempting an armstand routine in her fourth and final dive.

She retook the dive and was slapped with point deductions, earning a lowly 43.20 points. She could have earned at least 10 extra points, if not for that mistake.

As the final total scores appeared, Zhiayi, who accumulated 411.90 points, found herself 9.10 behind surprise winner Song Namhyang of North Korea (421.00).

Zheng Qi (404.85) of China, who was the favourite in the event, finished third.

“It was really a huge miss, I almost got it (a gold medal)!”sighed Zhiayi. I suffered a similar fate as Lela (in the World Championships), losing balance and needed to retake the dive and that cost me a lot of points. So near yet so far…just because of one mistake in last dive, I have to be contented with second place.

“Nevertheless, I have achieved my target of winning a medal at AYG, I have no complaints.”

Zhiayi will be competing in 3m springboard tomorrow, but she is not expected to be challenging for a podium finish.

“I hardly practiced on springboard, as my pet event is platform. Furthermore, my DD (degree of difficulty) is low compared to others,” added Zhiayi.

“So I’m not expecting myself to win anything, but I’ll still try my very best and we will see.”

In the boys 3m springboard, Muhd. Danial Sabri (487.15) finished a creditable fourth behind Chinese duo Huang Bowen (571.50) and Zheng Ziqun (568.10) and Zeng Tian Yi (500.30) of Hong Kong.

The competition will end tomorrow with another two events taking place – girls 3m springboard and boys platform.

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London Olympics: Aquatic

Olympic 2012 - Diving

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