Syafiq hoping to make Games through quota slot

PETALING JAYA: Mohd Syafiq Puteh is Malaysia’s only hope of seeing a representative in the men’s Tokyo Olympics diving competition but the decision will not be in his hands.

Malaysia’s interest in the men’s competition at the Diving World Cup in Tokyo ended with the conclusion of the 3m springboard preliminary round yesterday. The 26-year-old from Perak finished 23rd with 367.35 points.

However, only the top 18 move into the semis and are assured of their spots in the Tokyo Games.

But there are still a few quota slots to be re-allocated by FINA, the world governing body for aquatic, if a country already has the maximum two slots or decide not to take up the offer to send two divers to the Olympics.

In this case, Syafiq will be keeping his fingers crossed until sometime next month to see if he gets to make his Olympic debut.

Meanwhile, Chew Yiwei’s Olympic hopes went up in smoke following two poor attempts in the 3m springboard competition.

The 2018 Indonesia Asian Games bronze medallist was in 10th spot after the first dive but blew it with a 25.50 with a poor execution in the next dive to plummet to 49th.

Another poor effort of 36.75 wiped out any chance of making a comeback as he finished 43rd with 315.10 out of 54 divers.

Britain’s Daniel Goodfellow was the top qualifier with 487.50 points ahead of fellow countryman James Heatly (478.20) and Germany’s Martin Wolfram (446.95).

If Syafiq fails to get the nod, Malaysia will not be represented for the first time in the men’s competition at the Olympics.