Springboard to higher goals
Syafiq eyes spot in KL SEA Games squad after maiden international title
PETALING JAYA: Diver Muhd Syafiq Puteh has finally come good on his own.
On Sunday, the 20-year-old Syafiq posted 397.65 points to pip Chinese duo Chen Chen (343.00) and Zhang Yu (298.30) to the gold in the 3m springboard individual at the Hong Kong Diving Invitational.
It was Syafiq’s first maiden individual international title. Previously, he was successful only in the mixed synchro with two FINA Grand Prix titles.
“I’m very happy. The win has boosted my confidence although it’s not a big competition,” said the Perak-born Syafiq.
“The experience gained from these small-scale competitions will help me to become a better diver.
“I’ll continue to work hard to make next year’s Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. I want to make up for my failure in Singapore last year,” added Syafiq, who could only manage sixth in the 3m springboard individual in his SEA Games debut.
Syafiq also bagged a silver in the 3m springboard synchro. He combined with Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya to finish second on 329.70. China’s Zheng ZhiqunZhou Xiaokang bagged the gold with a 365.01 total.
Loh Zhiayi was the other gold medallist in the twoday invitational. The 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics silver medallist fended off two Chinese rivals to secure a narrow win with 269.75 points in the 10m platform individual.
Zhou Jiaqi amassed 267.80 for the silver while Wang Weiying finished third on 266.15.
Zhiayi and her 14-year-old partner Kimberly Bong continued to impress as the duo clinched their third podium finish in as many events by winning the silver in the 10m platform synchro.
Having finished third at last month’s Malaysian Grand Prix in Kuching and the Asian Swimming Championships in Tokyo last week, they amassed 235.38 points behind China’s Weiying-Jiaqi (260.13).
Jellson Jabillin also gave a good account of himself in his international debut. The 15-year-old Sabahan bagged the silver in the 10m platform individual with a 315.05 total.
I’ll continue to work hard to make next year’s Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. I want to make up for my failure in Singapore last year. Muhd Syafiq Puteh