Dhabitah (left) will partner Wendy Ng (right) in the 3m springboard synchro at the Diving World Series meet.
She is set to feature in the Diving World Series for the first time as the withdrawal of Australia’s Maddison Keeney-Annabelle Smith has paved the way for Malaysia to earn a slot in the women’s 3m springboard synchro in the two upcoming rounds in Kazan, Russia (April 24-26) and in London (May 1-3).
Keeney-Smith were the bronze medallist at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last year.
The 15-year-old will partner Wendy Ng Yan Yee in their first participation in the series.
Coach Yang Zhuliang said the World Series will be a good platform for Dhabitah to stamp her mark as one of the country’s rising star in the sport.
“It is only for the top six pairs in the world. Dhabitah partnered Wendy to finish seventh in the World Cup in Shanghai last year and they were the first reserves for the World Series,” said Zhuliang.
“We will likely bank on Dhabitah and Wendy to defend our SEA Games gold medal for the 3m springboard in Singapore, so I hope they take the opportunity to polish up their routines.”
The timing of the World Series could not have been better for the pint-sized Dhabitah, who stands at 153cm, as Kazan will also host the World Championships in July.
Besides Pandelela, Cheong Jun Hoong will dive in the 10m platform synchro with Leong Mun Yee and the 3m springboard individual while Pandelela will participate in the 10m platform individual.
Malaysia have two medals to show after the first two rounds in Beijing and Dubai. Jun Hoong-Mun Yee delivered silver in Beijing and bronze in Dubai last month.
