Divers capable of delivering Olympic medals — Asum

0

KUALA LUMPUR: The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) believes national divers, especially those who have been in action in previous Olympics, stand a fair chance of delivering medals in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Asum honourary secretary Edwin Chong said the divers could live up to their billings on paper if they do not commit too many errors in the preliminary rounds to enter the final in their respective events.

“Even though national diving queen Pandelela Rinong could deliver Malaysia’s first Olympic gold medal, other divers are equally strong for a medal winning performance,” he said.

At the moment, eight divers and national open water swimmer, Heidi Gan have booked their berths to the London Games.

Apart from Pandelela (10m individual, 3m synchronised springboard and 10m synchronised platform), other divers going to London are Traisy Vivien Tukiet (10m individual platform), Cheong Jun Hoong (3m synchronised springboard) as well as Wendy Ng Yan Yee (3m individual springboard).

Other qualifiers are Bryan Nickson Lomas (10m individual platform, 3m individual and synchronised springboard), Yeoh Ken Nee (3m individual springboard), Huang Qiang (3m synchronised springboard) and Leong Mun Yee (10m synchronised platform).

Chong said the eight divers are now undergoing training in China while Heidi is training in Perth, Australia.

He also said the International Swimming Federation (FINA) would be announcing the list of qualified swimmers to London by June 22.

“Our swimmers are now in action at the Southeast Asian Swimming Championships in Singapore from June 13 to 17 and it will be the last meet to seek qualifications to London.

“We are hoping for at least two swimmers to make it. I think our long distance swimmers stand a chance,” Chong said. — Bernama