SELAMAT DATANG

SELAMAT DATANG KE BAHAGIAN SUKAN, KOKURIKULUM & KESENIAN, KEMENTERIAN PENDIDIKAN MALAYSIA

Sunday, 6 September 2015

Perfect Day For Dhabitah To Earn Olympic Ticket (updated)

Malaysian diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri in action in the 10m platform event at the Asian Cup in Bulit Jalil on Saturday. - FAIHAN GHANI/ The STAR
Malaysian diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri in action in the 10m platform event at the Asian Cup in Bulit Jalil on Saturday. - FAIHAN GHANI/ The STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Young diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri could not have asked for a better setting to check into next year’s Rio Olympic Games.
With her parents, Fadzidah Jaafar and Sabri Hashim, watching from the stands at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil, the 16-year-old qualified for the Olympics in stunning fashion – winning the women’s 10m platform individual final at the Asian Diving Cup.
Kuala Lumpur-born Dhabitah pulled off a superb final dive of 78.40 points to beat China’s Suo Miya to the gold medal with a five-dive total of 383.10.
The China girl did not have a clean entry in her final dive and relinquished her lead after collecting just 70.40 points. That saw her settle for the silver with a 380.10 total.
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Malaysia’s 2014 Youth Olympics silver medallist Loh Zhiayi took the bronze with 346.10 points.
Dhabitah, who rushed up the stands to celebrate with her parents, described the win as “unexpected” as she could only finish fourth with 314.05 points in the preliminaries on Saturday morning.
“My parents have been my biggest supporters all this while ... they’ve always believed that I would come good in diving one day,” said a teary-eyed Dhabitah, who won a bronze with Pandelela Rinong at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last year.
“Without them, I don’t think I’d be here. They hardly see me in action as most of the competitions are outside the country ... and I think their presence here today comforted me. They gave me the thumbs-up sign each time I finished my dives.
“I didn’t want to disappoint them.
“I’m not celebrating yet as I still have one more event tomorrow (in women’s 3m springboard individual with Cheong Jun Hoong).”
The Asian Diving Cup is a continental qualifying event for the Olympics, but only the four individual winners – men’s and women’s 3m springboard and 10m platform – are assured of places in Rio.
Dhabitah is the fourth Malaysian diver to qualify for the Rio Olympics and Malaysia have now secured the maximum two slots in the women’s 10m individual platform, with Pandelela Rinong having made the cut at the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan last month.
Wendy Ng Yan Yee has qualified for the women’s 3m springboard while Ooi Tze Liang stole the limelight when he won the men’s 3m springboard competition here on Friday.
RESULTS
All finals
Men's 3m springboard synchro: 1. Kim Yeong-nam-Woo Ha-ram (Kor) 396.48, 2. Zhong Yuming-Huang Bowen (Chn) 379.02, 3. Adityo Restu Putra-Andriyan Andriyan (Ina) 336.21.
Men's 1m springboard individual: 1. Peng Jianfeng (Chn) 382.70, 2. Zhong Yuming (Chn) 358.10, 3. Woo Ha-ram (Kor) 345.90, 4. Muhd Syafiq Puteh (Mas) 320.75.
Women's 3m springboard synchro: 1. Xu Zhihuan-Wu Chunting (Chn) 297.90, 2. Jasmine Lai-Kam Ling Kar (Mas) 265.83, 3. Kim Na-mi-Kim Su-ji (Kor) 264.36.
Women's 10m platform individual: 1. Nur Dhabitah Sabri (Mas) 383.10, 2. Suo Miya (Chn) 380.10, 3. Loh Zhiayi (Mas) 346.10.
Mixed 10m platform synchro: 1. Tai Xiaohu-Lian Jie (Chn) 341.28, 2. Chew Yiwei-Traisy Vivien Tukiet (Mas) 296.82, 3. Son Tae-lang- Cho Eun-bi (Kor) 286.20.

Tze Liang Redeems Himself With Second Olympic Spot (updated)

National diver Ooi Tze Liang executing one of his dives in the 10m platform event at the Asian Diving Cup in Bukit Jalil on Sunday. - ROHAIZAT MD DARUS/ The STAR
National diver Ooi Tze Liang executing one of his dives in the 10m platform event at the Asian Diving Cup in Bukit Jalil on Sunday. - ROHAIZAT MD DARUS/ The STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: With just one plunge, Malaysian diver Ooi Tze Liang has laid to rest the ghosts that have been haunting him since the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia last month.
It also earned him a second Olympic spot in the men’s 10m platform individual. He had won the 3m springboard contest in the Asian Diving Cup on Friday to earn a quota spot for next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Competing in the 10m platform at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil on Sunday, Tze Liang executed his fourth dive – a three-and-a-half back somersault with a 3.3 difficulty degree – well to earn 74.25 points.
That was enough for the 20-year-old, who flunked the dive at the world meet in Kazan, to go on and win the event.
Tze Liang finished off with two more scores of 86.70 and 81.60 for a 482.15 total to hold off China’s Cao Lizhi.
His Chinese rival earned 83.20 for the last dive for a 481.60 total.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling nervous today. It’s not easy performing on home soil. I flunked the fourth dive at the world meet in Kazan last month and missed out on the semi-finals,” recalled Tze Liang.
“I got a very low score (only 24.75 points) ... I was so disappointed with myself.
“Thankfully, my execution was good in all six dives in the final today. I can’t be any happier.
“I have to thank my coaches, Asum (Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia) and NSC (National Sports Council) for guiding and supporting me to make this possible,” added the Penang-born Tze Liang, who just missed out on qualifying for the London Olympics in 2012.
Malaysia are now assured of representation in all four individual events for diving.
Malaysia have earned the maximum two spots for women’s 10m platform through Nur Dhabitah Sabri, the winner of the 10m platform on Saturday, and Pandelela Rinong, who qualified via the bronze she won at the world meet in Kazan.
Wendy Ng Yan Yee got her Olympic ticket in the women’s 3m springboard after finishing eighth in Kazan.
Nur Dbahitah could have made it a golden double for Malaysia on Sunday but came up just short.
The 16-year-old put up a good fight to take silver in the women’s 3m springboard final with 351.80 points.
China’s Wu Chunting won the event with 354.70 points while Cheong Jun Hoong, making her competitive comeback after recovering from heel injuries, took the bronze.
Dhabitah returned to the pool later to win another silver with Chew Yiwei in the team event. The pairing chalked up 364.35 points in the new event, which sees the divers taking turns to dive from the 3m springboard and 10m platform.
RESULTS (all finals)
MEN
10m platform individual: 1. Ooi Tze Liang (Mas) 482.15, 2. Cao Lizhi (Chn) 481.60, 3. Woo Ha-ram (Kor) 477.35. Selected: 7. Chew Yiwei (Mas) 329.30.
WOMEN
3m springboard individual: 1. Wu Chunting (Chn) 354.70, 2. Nur Dhabitah Sabri (Mas) 351.80, 3. Cheong Jun Hoong (Mas) 319.95.
Team event: 1. Bowen Huang-Si Yuji (Chn) 405.55, 2. Chew Yiwei-Nur Dhabitah Sabri (Mas) 364.35, 3. Kim Jin-yong-Ko Eun-ji (Kor) 339.30.

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Dhabitah To Curb Jitters In Bid To Secure Olympic Spot

National diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri training at the National Aquatic Centre in preparation for the Asian Cup starting on Friday. - IBRAHIM MOHTAR/ The STAR
National diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri training at the National Aquatic Centre in preparation for the Asian Cup starting on Friday. - IBRAHIM MOHTAR/ The STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Teenager Nur Dhabitah Sabri is hoping to keep her nerves in check as she bids to secure an early Olympic ticket in the Asian Diving Cup, which begins at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil on Friday.
The Cup is a continental qualifier for next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics but only the four individual winners – men and women’s 3m springboard and 10m platform – will make the cut.
China have already secured their full quota of eight spots (two for each individual event) at the World Aquatics Championships in Russia in July, but they are still taking the Cup seriously.
The Chinese were the first of the foreign teams to arrive on Tuesday and diligently went through a training session in the morning.
With Cheong Jun Hoong just coming back from a heel injury, Malaysia’s hopes lie on Dhabitah in the women’s 3m springboard.
“I am using the same difficulties that I used at the worlds,” said Dhabitah.
“The pressure is on me to deliver. It’s not going to be easy as the Chinese are here. It’s important for me to stay calm and not make any mistakes,” said Dhabitah.
The 16-year-old admitted nerves got the better of her at the worlds where she failed to make the top-12 final.
Dhabitah finished 14th in the semi-finals to miss the cut for the Olympics. Compatriot Wendy Ng Yan Yee qualified for the Rio Games after reaching the final. Yan Yee eventually finished eighth.
“I came so close to making it to Rio. I was just two spots away. The coach (Yang Zhuliang) said I performed to my level, but I was still disappointed,” said the Kuala Lumpur-born Dhabitah, who partnered Pandelela Rinong to win the bronze in the 10m platform synchro at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last year.
Dhabitah and Jun Hoong main rivals will be China’s Wu Chunting and Liu Tian.
Chunting won the gold at the Mexico leg of the Diving Grand Prix in April while Liu Tian grabbed silver at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea, in July.
Besides China and Malaysia, the other countries participating are South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Macau and Qatar.

Monday, 31 August 2015

Malaysian Divers Face China Hurdle In Asian Cup Meet

Chinese diver He Zi who won silver in the 3m springboard event at the World Championships in Russia in June. - AFP
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.

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Malaysia’s Next Gen Divers Sweep The Board In Taiwan

Wendy Ng, one of the national divers who took part in the Taiwan Diving Invitational in Taipei over the weekend. - Filepic
Wendy Ng, one of the national divers who took part in the Taiwan Diving Invitational in Taipei over the weekend. - Filepic
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s next generation of Olympic hopefuls impressed with a 10-gold sweep at the Taiwan Diving Invitational in Taipei over the weekend.
And following their good performances, four juniors – Muhammad Syahmi Mohd Rezal, Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya, Muhd Syafiq Puteh and Jellson Jabilin – are set to get a piece of the action in the Asian Diving Cup at Bukit Jalil from Sept 4-6.
Syafiq impressed with a three-gold feat in Taipei. Besides clinching the men’s 3m springboard individual title, the 20-year-old also partnered Wendy Ng Yan Yee to win the mixed 3m springboard synchro and combined with Nazirul for the men’s 3m springboard synchro crown.  
Wendy also won the women’s 3m springboard title. She is set to feature in the Rio Olympics next year after finishing eighth in the 3m springboard individual at the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan recently.
Jasmine Lai-Kam Ling Kar took the women’s 3m springboard synchro title while the other gold medals came from Syahmi (boys’ platform), Hanis (boys’ 3m springboard), Jellson (boys’ 1m springboard), Ling Kar (women’s 1m springboard) and Traisy Vivien Tukiet (women’s 10m platform),
The Asian Diving Cup is a continental qualifying event for the Olympics, with the respective four individual winners – men and women’s 3m springboard and 10m platform – making the cut for the Olympics.
China have already earned the full quota of eight spots at stake (two for each individual event) from the world meet in Kazan and will not be sending their national divers for the Asian Diving Cup.
“This is the chance for our top divers, like Ooi Tze Liang, Cheong Jun Hoong and Dhabitah Nur Sabri, to try to fight for an Olympic ticket at the Asian Diving Cup,” said Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Mae Chen.
“We’re likely to expose our juniors like Syahmi, Hanis, Syafiq and Jellson in the Asian Diving Cup. We want them to experience competing in a major event as they are our hopes for the future.” 

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Diver Tze Liang Goes Solo In Olympic Push

National diver Ooi Tze Liang (second from left) and artistic gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi with their prize during the incentive presentation for the Singapore SEA Games medal winners at Putrajaya on Wednesday. - MOHD SAHAR MISNI/ The STAR
National diver Ooi Tze Liang (second from left) and artistic gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi with their prize during the incentive presentation for the Singapore SEA Games medal winners at Putrajaya on Wednesday. - MOHD SAHAR MISNI/ The STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Ooi Tze Liang will only focus on the men’s individual 3m springboard and 10m platform at the Asian Diving Cup in Bukit Jalil from Sept 4-6 to realise his Olympic dream.
Tze Liang led the divers to receive RM159,000 under the National Sports Council’s (NSC) incentive scheme for their total haul of eight golds and three bronzes at the Singapore SEA Games in June.
Tze Liang collected a handsome cheque of RM50,000 for his four-gold sweep in Singapore.
The 20-year-old from Penang won two synchro titles – with Chew Yiwei in the 10m platform and Ahmad Amsyar Azman in the 3m springboard. Tze Liang also retained his 3m springboard individual title and finished off by winning the 10m platform to chalk his best-ever achievement at SEA Games level.
The SEA Games contingent were feted to a reception to celebrate their success in bagging 62 golds, 58 silvers and 66 bronzes at Putrajaya on Wednesday night.
For Tze Liang, he will now focus his attention on the Asian Diving Cup.
“It’s the continental qualification event for the Rio Olympics next year. But I will only focus on the individual events this time as only the individual winners get to qualify for the Games.
“China have already earned the full quota of eight individual spots at the World Aquatics Championships (in Kazan, Russia, early this month), so they’re not sending their divers. In their absence, I hope to take full advantage of earning an Olympic spot,” said Tze Liang.
Tze Liang had a disappointing outing in Kazan. He botched one of his dives in the 10m platform individual preliminaries and could only finish 22nd. Only the top 12 finalists qualify for Rio and Tze Liang rued the missed chance.
“I would have reached the top 18 semi-finals if I did not mess up my landing on the fourth dive.
“But I’m not giving up my dream of making my Olympic debut. I will learn from my mistakes.”
Besides the Asian Cup, Tze Liang can still qualify via the World Cup in Rio next February.
THE PAYOUT 
By Sport: Diving (RM159,000), swimming (RM76,000), synchronised swimming (RM33,500), archery (RM111,000), badminton (RM60,000), basketball (RM60,000), billiards and snooker (RM40,000), bowling (RM127,000), cycling (RM33,000), equestrian (RM24,000), fencing (RM2,000), floorball (RM5,000), artistic gymnastics (RM81,000), rhythmic gymnastics (RM44,500), hockey (RM180,000), judo (RM5,000), netball (RM9,000), pencak silat (RM69,000), petanque (RM39,000), rowing (RM1,000), rugby Sevens (RM9,000), sailing (RM162,000), sepaktakraw (RM43,250), shooting (RM70,000), squash (RM86,000), table tennis (RM6,000), taekwondo (RM12,000), tennis (RM2,000), triathlon (RM3,000), waterski (RM38,500), wushu (RM53,000)
Top individual recipients
1. Ooi Tze Liang (diving) - RM50,000 (four golds)
2. Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh (archery) - RM35,000 (three golds)
3. Rafiq Ismail (bowling) - RM34,666 (three golds, one silver)
4. Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah (waterski) - RM34,000 (two golds, one silver)
5. Farah Ann Abdul Hadi (artistic gymnastics) - RM30,000 (two golds, one silver, three bronzes)
6. Mohd Harrif Saleh (road cycling) - RM30,000 (two golds)

Friday, 31 July 2015

Wendy In For 3m Springboard Final, And Rio Olympics!

Wendy seen from underwater as she makes an entry into the pool after her 3m springboard dive in the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia. - Reuters
Wendy seen from underwater as she makes an entry into the pool after her 3m springboard dive in the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia. - Reuters
PETALING JAYA: Wendy Ng would probably be bunking together with Pandelela Rinong in Rio next year.
Wendy (inset) has earned an early Olympic ticket after finishing 11th in the women's 3m springboard individual semi-finals at the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia.
The Kuala Lumpur-born diver finished with 296.10 points to be joint 11th with Ukraine’s Olena Fedorova.
The top 12 divers who have qualified for Saturday’s finals are assured of places in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next year.
Wendy finished 12th in the preliminaries with 294.60 points to reach the top-18 semi-final stage while team-mate Nur Dhabitah Sabri was eliminated.
The 16-year-old Nur Dhabitah missed the cut after finishing 19th with 276.65 points.
Wendy will be making her second appearance at the Olympics. Her efforts came after Pandelela Rinong had bagged a bronze in the women's 10m platform individual event on Thursday.
Pandelela became the first Malaysian athlete to check into next year’s Rio Olympics after finishing eighth in the top-18 field for the women’s 10m platform semi-finals on Wednesday.
Coach Yang Zhuliang was a happy man.
“I thought our chances of winning an Olympic ticket was slim after Cheong Jun Hoong got injured and could not come. But Wendy has proved that she deserves her place in the individual springboard event,” he said.
“She can still do better. Anyway, it's a good attempt from her to qualify for her first World Championships final.”
Ooi Tze Liang and Chew Yiwei will be aiming to earn their Olympic spots when they compete in the men's 10m platform individual, Saturday.

Thursday, 30 July 2015

Pandelela Relieved To Make The Cut For Rio Olympics Next Year

Pandelela is the only Malaysian to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics thus far.
Pandelela is the only Malaysian to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics thus far.
PETALING JAYA: To say Pandelela Rinong was happy to receive a ticket to Rio de Janeiro Olympics would be an understatement.
The diver was relieved to become the first Malaysian athlete to qualify for the Rio Olympics next year after finishing eighth in the semi-finals of the women’s 10m platform individual at the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday.
“I’m just grateful I made it in the individual (event). But it’s not over ... I want to work harder to get ready for the Olympics next year,” said Pandelela, who hopes her achievement will help boost the efforts of her team-mates.
Malaysia failed to qualify early for the synchro events from Kazan and now have to focus on getting the divers to achieve the goal in the individual events in the last two days.
Wendy Ng Yan Yee and Nur Dhabitah Sabri will hope to beat the odds to reach the top-12 final for the first time in the women’s individual 3m springboard on Friday while it will be Ooi Tze Liang and Chew Yiwei’s turn in the men’s 10m platform on Saturday.
Pandelela and Leong Mun Yee finished seventh in the 10m platform synchro in Kazan and failed to book their tickets to the Rio Olympics.
China, Canada and North Korea took the early Olympic spots, leaving Malaysia to wait until the Diving World Cup in Rio de Janeiro next February for another shot at taking one of the four spots still available.
“I’m excited to make it to another Olympics,” said 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist Pandelela.
“It’s not easy to qualify through the world meet ... it’s so competitive.
“Now, I just want to enjoy the competition (in Kazan) and do my best in the final.”
The 22-year-old from Sarawak also feels that Malaysian divers will have to be wary of the North Koreans as well as the usual suspects.
The North Korean divers caught the eyes of many after getting their first medal in the history of the world meet on Monday.
The pairing of Kim Un-hyang-Song Nam-hyang claimed bronze in women’s 10m platform synchro. They were also silver medallists at the Incheon Asian Games last year.
On Wednesday, 16-year-old newcomer Kim Kuk-hyang advanced to the women’s 10m platform individual final behind China’s defending champion Si Yajie and Ren Qian.
“They have been strong competitors in Asia for a long time alongside China. Their youngsters are really making an impression here,” said Pandelela.

Sunday, 7 June 2015

Malaysian Divers Deliver Yet Again In SEA Games (updated)

Golden girls and boy. The Malaysian divers (from left): Leong Mun Yee, Ooi Tze Liang and Traisy Vivien Tukiet pose with their gold medal at the Singapore SEA Games on Sunday. - BERNAMA
Golden girls and boy. The Malaysian divers (from left): Leong Mun Yee, Ooi Tze Liang and Traisy Vivien Tukiet pose with their gold medal at the Singapore SEA Games on Sunday. - BERNAMA
SINGAPORE: Leong Mun Yee collected her 15th SEA Games gold medal after she partnered Traisy Vivien Tukiet to win the women's 10m platform synchro at the OCBC Aquatics Centre.
Mun Yee-Traisy finished the five-dive competition with 306.66 points ahead of Singapore’s Myra Lee-Freida Lim (238.59) and Thailand’s Jiratchaya Yothongyos-Surincha Booranapol (222.12) to take Malaysia's golden tally in diving to four.
Earlier, Commonwealth Games champion Ooi Tze Liang posted 473.55 points to retain his 3m springboard individual title. It was the second gold for Tze Liang, who partnered Chew Yiwei to win the 10m platform synchro on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Mun Yee, Malaysia’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony on Friday, and Tze Liang were whisked off after the prize presentation ceremony as head coach Yang Zhuliang refused to talk to the press.
But team manager Mae Chen later brought Traisy out to be interviewed.
Traisy was pleased to defend the 10m platform synchro gold for Malaysia.
Mun Yee partnered Nur Dhabitah Sabri to win the event at the last Games in Myanmar two years ago.
"I was nervous and afraid that I might disappoint my coach. But thankfully, I didn't do anything silly and we got the gold in the end," said Sarawak-born Traisy, who also paid tribute to Mun Yee for her guidance.
"This is my second SEA Games gold. I partnered Mun Yee to win the 10m platform synchro in Indonesia in 2011. She is very calm. I learn a lot from her as she has competed in many SEA Games,” said the 21-year-old Traisy, who competed in the 10m platform individual at the 2012 London Olympics.
Mun Yee made her SEA Games debut in Jakarta in 1997, but she only won her first medal in Brunei two years later by taking the silver behind compatriot Farah Begum Abdullah in the 3m springboard individual.
Mun Yee finally ended her gold drought in the 2001 Games in Kuala Lumpur. She was a revelation with a four-gold performance, winning the 3m springboard individual and synchro and the 10m platform individual and synchro. She defended her 10m platform individual title in Vietnam two years later.
Mun Yee then contributed two golds each in the next four Games in Manila (2005), Thailand (2007), Laos (2009) and Indonesia (2011).

Fu Kang Bags Malaysia’s First Swimming Gold (updated)

National swimmer, 16-year-old Wong Fu Kang after winning the men's 100m breaststroke at the Singapore SEA Games on Sunday. - FAIHAN GHANI/ The STAR
National swimmer, 16-year-old Wong Fu Kang after winning the men's 100m breaststroke at the Singapore SEA Games on Sunday. - FAIHAN GHANI/ The STAR
SINGAPORE: Look out behind… teenage swimmer Wong Fu Kang coming through!
The 16-year-old from Johor swam the race of his life to win the men's 100m breaststroke race at OCBC Aquatics Arena – in new national record time.
It’s no wonder he pumped his fists in the air immediately after looking at the scoreboard. He has just come from behind in the race to hand Malaysia their first SEA Games swimming gold medal in Singapore.
Victory seemed unlikely as the kid trailed in fourth place after the first 50 metres. But he cranked it up after the turn to touch the wall in 1:02.46 just ahead of Thailand’s Matjiu Radomyos, who clocked 1:02.63.
His new time eclipsed his own national mark of 1:02.56 set at the Malaysian Open in March. And more importantly, he became the first Malaysian male breaststroker to take gold in 14 years since Elvin Chia.
Interestingly, it was also Fu Kang who erased Elvin's national mark in the same event that had stood for 15 years.
The Phuket-based Fu Kang said he learned from the mistake he made in the 200m breaststroke final the previous night.
He led at the half-way mark but ran out of steam and finished fifth.
"I went too fast last night. I learnt my lesson and I was saving up my energy for the last 50 metres.
"I knew everyone were feeling the fatigue and I just did my best to beat them. I was so happy when I looked up and saw my name on top alongside the Malaysian flag,” said Fu Kang, who has a chance to claim a double when he swims the 50m breaststroke event on Thursday.
Malaysia also won a silver medal - in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay via Lim Ching Hwang, Daniel Bego, Welson Sim and Kevin Yeap, who finished in 7:30.13. Singapore, anchored by Incheon Asian Games gold medallist Joseph Schooling, proved too fast and won easily in 7:18.14.
United States-based Christina Loh will bid to defend her 100m breaststroke title on Monday night.
RESULTS
Men 
100m freestyle: 1. Joseph Schooling (Mas) 48.58 new Games rec, 2. Quah Zheng Wen (Sin) 49.91, 3. Hoang Quy Phuoc (Vie) 50.60. Selected: 7. Alwyn Tan (Mas) 51.81.
100m breaststroke: 1. Wong Fu Kang (Mas) 1:02.46, 2. Matjiur Radomyos (Tha) 1:02.63, 3. Joshua Hall (Phi) 1:02.87. Selected: 8. Shaun Yap (Mas) 1:04.97.
4x200m freestyle: 1. Singapore 7:18.14 new Games rec, 2. Malaysia 7:30.13, 3. Indonesia 7:35.63.
Women 
50m butterfly: 1. Tao Li (Sin) 26.58 new Games rec, 2. Quah Ting Wen (Sin) 27.02, 3. Jasmine Alkhaldi (Phi) 27.47.
200m backstroke: 1. Nguyen Thi Anh Vien (Vie) 2:14.12 new Games rec, 2. Yosaputra Yessy Venesia (Ina) 2:17.17, 3. Roxanne Ashley (Phi) 2:18.45.
200m individual medley: 1. Nguyen Thi Anh Vien (Vie) 2:13.53 new Games rec, 2. Pawapotako Phiangkhwan (Tha) 2:18.56, 3. Samantha Yeo (Sin) 2:18.77.