Coach wants divers to stop celebration
NATONAL coach Yang Zhuliang wants his divers to stop celebrating their Sea Games success and start focusing on greater challenges for the remainder of the season.
The divers will close their season with three Diving Grand Prix stops in Kuala Lumpur (Oct 2629), Singapore (Nov 2-5) and Gold Coast (Nov 9-12).
The season ending Gold Coast leg is crucial as the event’s venue — Marine Parade — will also stage the diving competition for next year’s Commonwealth Games.
The national team, who also comprised four newcomers, defied the odds at last month’s Sea Games by wresting all 13 gold medals on offer in KL.
Jellson Jabillin was the top performer among the newcomers with two gold medals, while Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya and Gabriel Gilbert Daim won a title each in the men’s synchro and mixed team events.
Kimberly Bong finished third in the women’s 10m platform individual event, won by two-time Olympic Games medallist Pandelela Rinong.
“The youngsters worked very hard during our short stint in China prior to the Sea Games. They performed to their abilities and I am very pleased with them,” said Zhuliang yesterday.
“Unfortunately, the Sea Games is not a platform to gauge the progress of my divers. We are ranked second behind China in Asia and I already expected that my team would win all 13 gold medals in the Sea Games.”
“These youngsters have only mastered basic routines. They still have a lot to learn. I will guide them through as I need more quality options for my diving team.”
Zhuliang confirmed that he will select some of the four newcomers for the three Grand Prix events.
“The divers will report for training this weekend. I expect them to stop celebrating our Sea Games success as I said earlier the games is not a benchmark for the team.
“Depending on the progress in training, I will select some young kids for the Grand Prix events in KL, Singapore and Gold Coast.
“The seniors will also be tested in these events, but I will only name the squad later this month as I need to assess fitness and injuries.
“Of course, the Gold Coast round is very important to us as the venue will also be used for the Commonwealth Games.
“We will be highly rated at the Commonwealth Games as we produced a world champion in Cheong Jun Hoong this year.” Ajitpal Singh