Slay the Glasgow ghosts

● Diver Yiwei out to make amends for costly poor dives

PETALING JAYA: The unpleasant memories of the 2014 Commonwealth Games are still fresh in diver Chew Yiwei’s (pic)mind.

And the 22yearold will be out to bury the ghosts of Glasgow with a medalwinning outing in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast from April 415.

Yiwei, a debutant back then, was at fault as one poor effort cost him and partner Ooi Tze Liang the gold in the 10m platform synchro.

The pair were in the lead with just two dives to go, but flopped in their last two dives to miss out on a medal altogether despite finishing third. The bronze was not awarded as only four pairs took part.

“Glasgow 2014 ... it was a big letdown, a debut to forget,” said Yiwei.

“We were leading the field but I made a mistake and did not dive well. We went from gold medal position to no medal.

“I was just a young athlete who was eager to prove myself on the world stage. So the way things panned out was just really disappointing.

“It has been four years now, and I finally have a chance to make amends. I will give my all to forget the Glasgow nightmare by winning a medal in Gold Coast. I can’t bear another miss after training so hard for the Games.”

Yiwei will resume his partnership with Tze Liang but only in the 3m springboard synchro, as the latter has been told by the coach to focus only on the springboard discipline.

YiweiTze Liang are touted as one of Malaysia’s best medal hopes in the men’s competitions, apart from Tze Liang’s title defence in the 3m springboard individual.

The pair will be up against the likes of defending champions Jack LaugherChris Mears of England, Canada’s Philippe CagneFrancois ImbeauDulac and Australia’s Dominic BedggoodMatthew Carter.

YiweiTze Liang have several notable achievements under their belts in the event. Besides finishing 10th in the 12pair finals at the Kazan World Championships in July last year, they also bagged silver in the Malaysian Diving Grand Prix (last November) and were bronze medallists at the German GP last month.

“Davis (Tze Liang) and I are in tiptop shape and I believe the tough challenge in Gold Coast is set to bring out the best in us,” said Yiwei.

“We have teamed up long enough, from platform to springboard, the trust and chemistry are already there.

“It’s all up to us now to bring glory to the nation.”

Yiwei will also compete in the 3m and 10m individual events, but is unlikely to contend for a podium spot.