By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Sept 22: At only 18-years-old, Elvis Priestly Clement has come a long way from the serene banks of Sungai Paloh, Sarikei, where life moves at a gentler pace, Elvis’ journey has been anything but ordinary, guided by fervour and fearlessness far beyond his years.
As the only son and the middle child among three siblings, Elvis has always been caught between family responsibilities and his own budding ambitions. Yet, it was a chance encounter at the tender age of seven that would steer him toward an unimaginable future.
The first dive
Elvis’ introduction to the world of diving came as a surprise. It was one day, when Sarawak diving coach, Rosatimah Muhammad, handed him a letter, which young Elvis initially believed to be a letter to obtain leave from school. Excited, he handed the letter to his father, only to find out it was an invitation to the pool—a selection for a sport Elvis had never considered nor thought of.
At the Youth and Sports Complex near Wisma Saberkas in Kuching, Elvis was thrown into the water repeatedly, struggling at first as he barely knew how to swim. He was small for his age, just the size of a five-year-old, but his fearlessness of diving heights and natural flexibility caught the coach’s attention.
“I didn’t know how to swim,” Elvis shared, chuckling at how funny it was to him. Such an experience can be terrifying for someone who doesn’t even know the basics, but that was how he learned—by being thrown into the unknown.
Making his family proud
At just 13, Elvis left his family and moved to Bukit Jalil to join the national sports school. The transition was bittersweet.
“I felt sad to leave my family,” he confessed, “But at the same time, I felt extremely happy because I was chosen. I wanted to make my family proud and carry my family’s reputation higher.”
Being away from home was not easy, but Elvis knew he had to embrace this opportunity. Though homesick, the young boy ceased to cry because deep in his heart, he knew he was fighting a crucial battle for his family. A better purpose, he called it. Even though the days were long and the training gruelling, he found solace in the thought of making his family proud.
Elvis’ journey was not without obstacles as he suffered a knee injury at 13-years-old—a common affliction among divers. For two years, he underwent basic training but was held back from competing. As a result, he missed out on several competitions, and was facing the terrifying prospect of being dropped from the national team.
Fear gripped his heart when he heard that he could possibly be dropped from the national team despite initially wanting to quit as training in the national team was far stricter than what he was used to. Yet, instead of turning away and accepting his fate, it dawned on Elvis that he had to buckle up and overcome his fear. He had to prove himself.
With renewed determination, Elvis threw himself into competitions, knowing it was his final chance to stay on the team. He emerged victorious, proving not only to others but to himself that he belonged in the sport.
A new generation of divers
By the time Elvis took part in his first Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kuala Lumpur in 2022, he had transformed from a boy uncertain of his future into a determined competitor with his eyes firmly on the prize. He earned a gold medal in the men’s 10m synchronised diving, a silver in the individual 10m, and a bronze in the 3m synchronised diving.
While he was already in the national team, Elvis didn’t make an appearance in Sukma Perak in 2018 as there were many athletes to choose from and he wasn’t as skilful back then—with a much smaller body, less strength, and still with a child-like mentality.
Regardless, the victories in the form of medals were proof of his growth, both physically and mentally. Now, with his second Sukma under his belt, Elvis continues to push himself further. In Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024, Elvis achieved two gold medals (3m individual diving, 10m synchronised diving), and a silver (10m diving individual).
Balancing acts
While diving remains his primary focus, Elvis is also pursuing Pre-University studies at Bukit Jalil Sports School, with plans to continue at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Balancing academics and athletics are not easy, but Elvis has learned to navigate it with resilience and great resolve.
His daily life is marked by regiment and commitment, yet he retains diverse interests. With active friends along his side, they are ready to try new sports and experiences. However, if life were to take a different approach, Elvis would like to follow in his father’s footsteps, by becoming a rugby coach.
A family man at heart
Despite his focus on diving, Elvis remains deeply connected to his family. His father, a dedicated army man, and his mother, a housewife, are his pillars of strength. His younger sister, too, has dreams of her own, and Elvis hopes she might take up Muay Thai one day as a sport.
His love for his family runs deep, and he frequently makes calls home to share his victories and struggles with them.
“I miss them. But I know, I’m doing this for them (family),” he said.
As Elvis looks to the future, his focus remains the same—improvement. From a young boy who thought he was getting a leave letter from the school to a national diver who conquered his fears, Elvis’ story so far is one of passion, perseverance, and an unyielding commitment to his dreams. With every dive, he reaches for new heights, knowing that life, much like the diving pool, is deep with potential waiting to be explored. — DayakDaily
