DIVING: Happy With New Partner

AFTER their exploits at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games recently, up and coming diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri is keen on continuing her winning ways with Pandelela Rinong at the Incheon Asian Games next month.

Nur Dhabitah said she has not been told of what plans national coach Yang Zhuliang has in mind for her in South Korea but is hoping to strengthen her combination with the Olympic bronze medallist.

She was unexpectedly selected to partner Pandelela, ahead of veteran Leong Mun Yee, in the women’s 10m platform synchronised event in Scotland.

Despite Nur Dhabitah carrying a hip injury and Pandelela troubled by a nagging knee injury, the duo clinched a respectable third place finish.

“I did not expect to be partnered with Pandelela at the games and I did feel a considerable amount of pressure when I was told that I was paired with her,” said the 15-year-old, when met at an appreciation ceremony yesterday for Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) students that had competed in Glasgow.

“Pandelela is a star and it was somewhat intimidating for me at first as I was not ‘very close’ with her before this.

“But she has proved to be a very good mentor for me. She taught me a lot during our time together and we get along well.

“Although she is a lot more senior than me, she listens to what opinions I have and we discuss a lot about our dives.

“I would definitely like the opportunity to partner her again at the Asian Games but it is up to the coach (Zhuliang) to decide.”

Nur Dhabitah, who partnered Mun Yee to a gold at the Myanmar Sea Games last year, added that the Commonwealth Games was an eye opening experience which has given her the confidence that she can mature into a world class diver.

“My confidence levels were not really that high going into the games as the standard of competition in Glasgow was on a much higher level compared to the Sea Games.

“But our performance there has given me the belief that I can reach that kind of standard. My goal is to win a medal at the Asian Games. It does not matter if it comes in the platform or springboard events.”

The other BJSS students that competed in Glasgow were Yap Sean Yee, Iskandar Alwi (both athletics), Loh Zhiayi (diving), Amy Kwan Dict Weng, Fatin Zakirah Jalany Zain Zalany (both gymnastics), Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri (hockey), Eddy Chew (shooting), Tern Jian Han, Welson Sim (both swimming) and Lee Rou You (table tennis).

Bukit Jalil Sports School students at the appreciation ceremony yesterday. Pic by Hasriyasyah Sabudin

Dhabitah Relishes Another Chance To Partner Pandelela

Dhabitah (right) will jump at another opportunity to partner Pandelela again. - GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri will jump at the chance to partner Pandelela Rinong again in the future.

The 15-year-old Dhabitah was thrust into the unknown when she was asked to partner 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Pandelela in the women’s 10m platform synchro at the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games. And they did not disappoint, winning a surprise bronze.

“Lela’s the star of our team ... I was never close to her before the Games. But in Glasgow, I learnt so much from her. She taught me a lot of things. I’d love to be paired with her again if given the chance,” said Dhabitah, who was one of the 11 student-athletes honoured by the Bukit Jalil Sports School at its appreciation ceremony in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The others were Yap Sean Yee and Iskandar Alwi (athletics), Loh Zhiayi (diving), Amy Kwan and Fatin Zakirah Jalany Zain Jalany (rhythmic gymnastics), Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri (women’s hockey), Eddy Chew (shooting), Tern Jian Han and Welson Sim (swimming) and Lee Rou You (table tennis).


Apart from Dhabitah, the others who medalled at the Games were Rou You (silver in the women’s table tennis team event) and Amy and Fatin (team bronze in the rhythmic gymnastics competition).

Dhabitah has had a good run at multi-sport events.

She made a stellar debut at last year’s Myanmar SEA Games, winning the 10m platform synchro gold with Leong Mun Yee.

Now, she is working hard to make an impact at the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea from Sept 19-Oct 4.

She confessed that winning the bronze in Glasgow was more “special” compared to the SEA Games gold.

“Before going to Glasgow, I had doubts about my own ability. But after winning the bronze, my confidence level went up another level. I know can reach the highest level in world diving. I just have to keep working at it and hopefully come good in the Asiad,” said Dhabitah.