This work is originally published by Cahya Mata Sarawak. DayakDaily has been given permission to share this story on our platforms.
By Martin Yee, Kenny Ee, and Marlynda Meraw
AT just 14 years old, Bryan Nickson Lomas found himself standing on the world’s greatest sporting stage—a boy from Stampin, Kuching, cradling an Olympic dream. The year was 2004, the place, Athens. As the youngest diver to represent Malaysia in the Olympics, Bryan carried not only his nation’s hopes but also the pride of home in Sarawak.
His young heart raced as he walked into the arena, equipped with the Malaysian flag in hand, the cheers of thousands washing over him like a wave. It was a moment that felt nothing short of magical, a childhood dream realised.
Bryan’s debut at the Athens Games wasn’t just about personal glory—it marked the beginning of Sarawak’s legacy in Olympic diving. Alongside him was another Sarawakian, Gracie Junita Terry Pego, both pioneers from a State that would soon become a cradle for diving talent.
Though Bryan did not reach the podium, placing 19th in his event was an achievement for someone so young after been thrusted into the fierce competition of the world’s best. For Bryan, the journey itself was the true reward. Looking back, he described the first Olympic moment as unforgettable.
“Going to the Olympics at 14 was a magical moment and I could feel the goosebumps in front of the thousands of cheering crowds,” he said.
That feeling carried him forward through two more Olympic Games—Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Each time, he dove with the same heart and determination, proving that his journey was more than just about winning; it was about passion, endurance, and personal triumph.
In 2012, Bryan teamed up with Huang Qiang, a neutralised Malaysian diver originally from China. Together, they missed the finals shy of one point, placing 17th in the synchronised diving event. While disappointment lingered, Bryan remained proud of what he had accomplished over the years. Competing alongside global icons like Tom Daley, Bryan knew he was standing among giants, having earned his place.
Born and raised by his father from Stampin, Kuching, and his mother from Bajong, Sebuyau, Bryan’s journey began in the unlikeliest of ways. He couldn’t even swim when he was first scouted by the Sarawak Sports Council. At the Stampark pool, where his diving career would take shape, his coach, Wang Jinlan—a strict yet caring, motherly figure from China—taught Bryan to swim, starting with the dog paddle.
Under her guidance, Bryan’s batch of divers flourished. He trained alongside friends like Zibeon Uzza Beling, who later won bronze at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg, though younger, would one day rise to be Malaysia’s diving queen.
Training was undoubtedly brutal at times, and as youth athletes, they faced not only the physical demands but also the emotional challenges of being away from their families.
“Very few of us managed to stay and continue the training. We needed our parents and they weren’t around,” Bryan recalled the ache of missing home. But that adversity only made him stronger. Ultimately, it boiled down to the strength of perseverance. As Bryan’s career evolved, so did his life’s calling. After leaving the competition, he ventured abroad, taking his passion for diving to new horizons. He spent time in Kuwait, coaching young athletes in development programmes.
“It was a peaceful time,” Bryan reflected. “I had plenty of free time, and the way was great.”
From there, his journey led him to Russia, where he pursued studies in sports administration, broadening his knowledge and skills beyond the pool. Upon his return to Malaysia, Bryan took on a new role—nurturing the next generation of divers.
As the technical director of coaching for the National Sports Council, he now oversees young talents, many from Sarawak, including Bertrand Rhodict Lises, the only male diver headed for the Paris Olympics. Bryan’s coaching, grounded in years of hard-won experience, is his way of giving back to the sport that shaped his life.
Today, Bryan finds joy in watching his students flourish, helping them become both gymnasts and divers. Whether in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, or abroad, Bryan’s love for the sport continues to ripple through every young athlete whose lives he touches.
His journey, from a young boy who couldn’t swim to a three-time Olympian, is a story of fulfilled dreams; not in medals, but in the magical journeys, the power of perseverance, and the beauty of passing on the torch to the next generation. –DayakDaily
