Jellson serves notice
Selangor’s
powers to victory NATIONAL elite diver Chew Yiwei laboured to his sixth and final Malaysia Games gold medal as 15year-old Jellson Jabillin of Sabah stole the show in the men’s platform final yesterday.
Jellson trailed Yiwei (Selangor) by only 14 points going into the last round at the Sarawak State Aquatics Complex in Petra Jaya and could have taken an unexpected win had the latter botched his final dive.
The experienced Yiwei, however, held steady to win on a 349.80 total with Jellson’s 333.50 earning him the silver. Perak’s Syafiq Puteh (306.00) completed the podium.
Jellson, who has been training with the national backup squad under coach Huang Xiang since last year, said he was happy to make progress at the Games.
“I had only managed to win the bronze in this event in Perlis, it was
at the Sarawak State Aquatics Complex yesterday. Chan Jie clocked 54.80s to better the meet record of 55.04s. my only medal. I was less experienced then as it was my first Malaysia Games,” said Jellson.
“To win two silver here is a good improvement for me and I was quite satisfied with my performance.”
He added that he is hoping to go all the way in the sport.
“My brother Jordan was a Malaysia Games diver for Sabah as well and he first taught me how to dive at the Likas Aquatics Complex when I was 10.
“He did not get to represent Malaysia but I hope to do so and maybe go to the Olympics one day.
“I will continue to work hard and if the coach feels I am worthy, maybe I can join the elite squad in the future.”
Jellson had won silver in the 3m springboard synchro with Gabriel Gilbert Daim on Monday.
Yiwei, who turns 21 in October, admitted that he was not at his best but was impressed by the huge potential shown by Jellson.
“I have been sick these past few days and today was one of my worst performances for some time,” said Yiwei.
“I can see a lot of raw talent here, especially in Jellson. He had a great performance today.
“He (Jellson) is part of a new group of divers coming up and I believe he has the potential to be good in both the platform and springboard events.”
The women’s 3m springboard synchronised saw Selangor’s Adeline Chin-Koh Hui Yan winning the gold with 231.36.
Megan Elizabeth Teoh-Ong Ker Ling (Federal Territories) took silver on 228.90 while Sarawak’s Eilisha Rania Abrial-Kimberly Bong (206.79), who won the women’s platform synchronised event on Saturday, settled for bronze.
The women’s 3m springboard individual event will be held today.