Dhabitah out to clinch her first Asiad medal

TEENAGER Nuur Dhabitah Sabrii does not want to be left without a medal at the Asian Games when the divingg competition begins at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Centre today.

Dhabitah is the only one out of eight divers under the Podium Programme who has not won an Asian Games medal yet.

The other members – Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Chew Yiwei, Ahmad Amsyar Azman and Ooi Tze Liang – have stood on the podium either in Guangzhou (2010) or in Incheon (2014).

Jun Hoong is not with the squad in Jakarta after she pulled out earlier due to a knee injury.

Dhabitah has been entered for three events – 3m springboard synchro, 1m springboard and 10m platform individual events – in her second Asiad campaign.

Dhabitah will make her first appearance with Wendy in the 3m springboard synchro tomorrow and she aims for a top-three finish.

“I’m focusing to win my first medal in either the 3m springboard synchro and 1m springboard individual,” said the 19-year-old, who is a three-time bronze medal winner at the Commonwealth Games stage.

“I’ve a better chance in the 3m springboard synchro if we do not make any big mistakes.

“It’ll be tougher in the 1m springboard individual as China are almost certain to occupy the top two positions.

“I’ve to compete with Japan and Wendy.

In Incheon four years ago, Dhabitah marked her Asian Games debut with a sixth place in the 1m springboard individual.

Malaysia’s status as the second-best nation behind diving powerhouse China is under threat in Jakarta if the male divers fail to contribute this time.

Malaysia failed to win a medal in the men’s competition at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Yiwei-Tze Liang will be under pressure to beat either South Korea or Japan to take a medal in the men’s 3m springboard synchro.

In Incheon, diving contributed two silvers and three bronzes for Malaysia.