Chinese diver He Zi who won silver in the 3m springboard event at the World Championships in Russia in June. - AFP
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have their work cut out for them in their bid to win extra Olympic spots in the Asian Diving Cup, which begins at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil on Friday.
Giants China are sending their second stringers here, spearheaded by He Zi, who claimed silvers in the women’s 1m and 3m springboard at the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, in June.
And national coach Yang Zhuliang has conceded they’re no pushovers.
Only the four individual winners – men and women’s 3m springboard and 10m platform – will make the cut for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next year.
“China have already earned their full quota of eight spots (two for each individual event) from the world meet in Kazan, but they are still taking the Asian Cup seriously.
“China have sent their juniors with some of them making their debuts. They have also entered 13-year-old Zi Shiyue, who is the national champion for the women’s 10m platform. She is an exciting prospect, having beaten Olympic champion Chen Ruolin.
“Despite sending their second stringers, China are still the favourites in all the events,” added Zhuliang.
To date, Malaysia have earned two individual slots for the Olympics through Pandelela Rinong and Wendy Ng at the World Championships.
Pandelela won a bronze in the 10m platform while Wendy earned her spot after finishing eighth in the 3m springboard.
“It will be great if we can get one or two more divers to qualify. Our focus here is on the four individual events, and not the synchro,” said the coach.
With Pandelela given a break, Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Loh Zhiayi will compete in the women’s 10m platform.
Cheong Jun Hoong, who skipped the world meet to recover from her heel injuries, will return to take part in the women’s 3m springboard with Dhabitah.
Ooi Tze Liang and Ahmad Amsyar will focus on the men’s 3m springboard. Tze Liang will also compete in the men’s 10m platform with Chew Yiwei.
The other nations competing here include Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.