Cry the blues away
Dhabitah restores confidence after best olympics show
PETALING JAYA: The tears flowed freely for Nur Dhabitah Sabri after the women’s individual 3m springboard competition. The 22-year-old could not hold her emotions after coming close to handing Malaysia another bronze medal in the final yesterday.
On Saturday, shuttlers Aaron Chia-soh Wooi Yik came in third in the men’s doubles.
Dhabitah had to be satisfied with fourth place when she finished the five-dive routine with a 326.15 total.
When interviewed in the mixed zone, a teary Dhabitah revealed that she only wanted to enjoy herself in the 12-field final.
“I went out there to just enjoy myself. I was crying but not because I was sad but instead happy with this result,” said Dhabitah, who was struggling to rediscover her form in her pet event after failing to get past the semi-finals at the Diving World Cup in Tokyo in May. Dhabitah finished 14th.
“Before the Olympics, I lost my way, my confidence. Everything went downhill and in fact, a few weeks before the Olympics I was not sure of myself.
“So I’m very proud to finish fourth here,” added Dhabitah, who made her debut in Rio 2016 and finished ninth in the individual 10m platform.
Dhabitah also recalled the hardship that she went through on her road to Tokyo.
“The Covid situation has been really tough on me. It’s not like before when I just train and then go out and meet my family and friends. I miss them a lot, so it’s been very stressful for me.
“Anyway, I’m really thankful that my coach is here as he always keeps me calm. We both worked hard to be here,” said Dhabitah, who could have snatched the bronze if American Krysta Palmer had faltered in her final attempt.
Dhabitah closed with a solid 67.50 but the 29-year-old debutant, diving right after Dhabitah, sealed the bronze with a superb 73.10 for a 343.75 total.
China’s Shi Tingmao won her second gold after leading from start to finish with 383.50.
Teammate Wang Han, who won the 3m springboard synchro gold with Tingmao a week ago, took silver with 348.75.