By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 23: The Sarawak diving team nearly achieved a clean sweep at the 21st Malaysian Games (SUKMA) 2024, emerging as the overall champion with an impressive haul of 9 out of 12 gold medals at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya.
Exceeding their modest target of just two golds, the team’s outstanding performance, which totalled 14 medals, including three silvers and two bronzes, marked a historic moment for Sarawak in this prestigious biennial national event.
The team’s final medal push was highlighted by the dynamic duo, Muhammad Lutfir Rahman Mohammad Razak and Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi, who clinched gold in the mixed synchronised 10-metre platform event with a score of 234.66.
They outperformed Perak’s pair, Megat Azim Hakimi Megat Nor Ismail and Cecelia Olivia Christopher Leoneil, who secured silver with 209.94 points, while the Federal Territory’s Ng Jia Gee and Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohamad Nazmi claimed bronze with 203.97 points.
In the women’s 3-metre springboard, Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin delivered a stellar silver-medal performance with a score of 228.25, narrowly missing out on gold, which was won by the Federal Territory’s Lee Yat Wing with 231.20 points. Sarawak’s Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj rounded out the podium with a bronze, scoring 225.70.
On the final day of the diving competition, the Federal Territory finished second overall with two golds, four silvers, and four bronzes, while Terengganu secured third place with two silvers and three bronzes.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu and Deputy Minister of Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Ricky @ Mohd Razi Sitam were present for the prize presentation ceremony.
Sarawak diving head coach Shi Yang from China, who has been with the team since 2019, expressed immense pride in his athletes, lauding their exceptional performance throughout the competition.
“I am incredibly proud of them and proud to be the coach for Sarawak. Initially, we set a target of two gold medals, but achieving nine is beyond incredible. Sarawak divers are truly hardworking, and even when pushed to their limits, they never give up. Their attitude and passion for diving are commendable,” he said.
Looking ahead, Shi emphasised the need for continued dedication in training, with aspirations for the team to compete in international arenas such as the SEA Games, Asian Games, and even the Olympics.
“There is strong potential for our divers to excel in international tournaments, and we will strive even harder to reach those heights,” he added.
The Sarawak diving squad’s gold medal triumphs at Sukma included victories in the men’s 3-metre springboard (Elvis Priestley Clement), women’s synchronised 10-metre platform (Nur Eilisha and Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi), mixed synchronised 3-metre springboard (Awang Sharzan Nasrin Awang Nasaruddin and Dayang Nursharzyra), women’s 1-metre springboard (Dayang Nursharzyra), men’s synchronised 10-metre platform (Elvis and Enrique Maccartney Harold), women’s 10-metre platform (Nurul Farisya), women’s synchronised 3-metre springboard (Dayang Nursharzyra and Nur Eilisha), and men’s 10-metre platform (Enrique).
The team also earned silver medals through Muhammad Lutfir in the men’s 1-metre springboard and Elvis in the men’s 10-metre platform, with another bronze secured by Nur Eilisha in the women’s 10-metre platform. — DayakDaily
