Tze Liang to focus on springboard events
KUALA LUMPUR: Diver Ooi Tze Liang has decided to concentrate on the 3m springboard discipline at the Commonwealth Games.
The 24-year-old was the toast of the diving team at the 2014 Glasgow Games four years ago with two brilliant individual performances – a gold in the men’s 3m springboard and a silver in the 10m platform.
Penang-born Tze Liang took advantage of two mistakes by favourite Jack Laugher to become the first Malaysian male gold medallist in diving.
In the 10m platform individual, Tze Liang nailed the silver with his last dive to finish behind Tom Daley of England, who is the reigning world champion.
“It takes much effort and time to focus on the springboard and platform.
“In Glasgow, only three of us went (including Chew Yiwei and Ahmad Amsyar Azman). There was no choice but to spread out the events among the three of us.
“Now we have brought along some youngsters, so give them the chance to show what they can do.
“I will dive in the individual events for the 1m and 3m springboard as well as the 3m springboard synchro partnering Yiwei.
“I’m not sure about the 10m platform synchro as the coaches will make a decision later,” said Tze Liang, who is already in Gold Coast.
The diving competition will be held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre from April 11-14.
“Mentally and physically, I have to prepare myself to execute my dives as well as possible.
“I can’t worry about what my competitors are doing as it’s not under my control,” added Tze Liang, who bagged bronze with Yiwei in the 3m springboard synchro in the German Open in Rostock last month.
Diving coach Christian Brooker is optimistic Tze Liang has what it takes to rise to the occasion.
“He has not changed his set of dives as we don’t have the time to do that. Tze Liang is on the same level of difficulties as the other top divers.
“He has never missed his dives lately and confidence-wise, this is good for him,” said the Australian.
Ten gold medals are at stake in diving. The medals were spread out among four countries in Glasgow – England (4-3-3), Canada (3-2-2), Australia (2-3-3) and Malaysia (1-2-1).