Malaysian women will be missing for the first time
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will, for the first time, not be represented in women's springboard at the World Aquatics Championships, to be held in Singapore from July 11-Aug 3.
With three-time Olympian Nur Dhabitah Sabri on an indefinite break from competition, there is no suitable replacement.
As none of the back-up divers met the Minimum Qualifying Standard (MQS) set by Malaysia Aquatics (MAS), it has opted not to field anyone in the springboard events.
"It's a different selection process this time. Divers had to meet the MQS at two out of three designated competitions," said MAS diving technical director Yeoh Ken Nee.
"Unfortunately, none of the back-up divers qualified for the women's springboard events, so we will not be sending anyone."
Identifying a successor to Dhabitah has proved to be challenging, especially after Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin withdrew from the national back-up programme earlier this year due to a back injury.
Ken Nee said last month that MAS was in the process of transitioning senior platform divers to the springboard discipline to strengthen a department currently lacking depth and quality.
MAS will be sending its smallest contingent to the World Championships in years, with only seven divers selected.
Pandelela Rinong and Sea Games gold medallist Lee Yiat Qing will carry the country's hopes in the women's 10m individual and synchronised platform events.
In the men's 10m platform, Enrique Harold Maccartney and Elvis Priestly Anak Clement will compete in the individual event and team up for the synchronised discipline.
Veteran Syafiq Puteh will lead Malaysia's charge in the individual men's 3m springboard event. Juniors Nurqayyum Nazmi Nazim and Yong Rui Jie are set to make their World Championships debut, featuring in the 3m synchronised and 1m springboard events, respectively.
"They're not going just for experience — we're hopeful they can reach a few finals," added Ken Nee.
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