She’s on standby
Dhabitah may step in if Jun Hoong fails to recover in time
PETALING JAYA: Diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri may have an extra role to play if former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong fails to recover in time for the Asian Games in Indonesia from Aug 18-Sept 2.
Jun Hoong is now nursing a left knee injury which had prevented her from going to Guangzhou, China, last week for a threeweek training camp with the rest of the team.
The 28-year-old diver, who suffered the injury in training two weeks ago, will know by tomorrow whether she can compete or miss the Asian Games based on medical advice from the National Sports Institute (NSI) experts.
She was slated to partner Pandelela Rinong in the women’s 10m platform synchro event, where they are considered as strong medal prospects at the Asian Games although they will find it tough to upstage fancied Chinese pair Zhang Minjkie-Zhang Jiaqi.
Jun Hoong-Pandelela are the reigning Olympic silver medallists and gold medallists at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, in April.
Diving coach Zhang Yukun will likely field the younger Dhabitah to partner Pandelela if Jun Hoong is not fit for the Asian Games.
“Jun Hoong has injury concerns and the NSI are treating her. They are recommending her to see a specialist. We’ll wait and see what is recommended before making a decision,” said the Chinese coach.
“We will consider others in the team if Jun Hoong cannot compete.
“It is the 10m platform synchro that we are more concerned about compared to the individual event.”
Dhabitah is not a stranger in partnering Pandelela and seemed to be the ideal replacement.
They combined well to take a bronze medal in the 10m platform synchro at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Dhabitah is already slated to dive with Wendy Ng Yan Yee for the women’s 3m springboard individual and synchro events.
Diving contributed two silvers and three bronzes at the last Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, four years ago.