Bitah’s good luck charm inspires her to two golds

Gold medallist Nur Dhabitah Sabri of FT in action during the 3m springboard event at the Sukma Games on Saturday. - BERNAMA

KANGAR: National diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri’s grandmother may just be her lucky charm when it comes to the Malaysia Games (Sukma).

On Saturday, Dhabitah bagged two gold medals – in the women’s 3m springboard individual and platform synchro events – with her 88-year-old grandmother Che Dara Daud cheering from the stands at the State Aquatic Centre in Kangar.

In the 3m springboard, Dhabitah scored 298.90 points to win the gold medal, with Selangor’s Adeline Chin Wei Ling (244.65) trailing in second and Perak’s Jasmine Lai Pui Yee (223.65) third.

The 15-year-old Dhabitah then partnered Loh Zhiayi to bag the gold medal in the women’s platform synchro.

Dhabitah-Zhiayi scored 261.78 points against the young Sarawak duo of Kimberly Bong Qian Ding, 12, and Tracia Irene Erik, 10, who scored 193.38 for a credible silver while Selangor’s Min Lim-Erica Pan Ying Xin finished third with 157.86.

“I did well in the springboard ... but the platform was a different story. I think we could have done better,” said Dhabitah.

“My grandmother has been supporting me at every Sukma since I made my debut in Kuala Terengganu in 2008. This is my fourth Sukma ... it’s nice to have her here again.”

Dhabitah has won a medal at every Sukma since 2008 – amassing a total of four golds, one silver and five bronzes.

Meanwhile, Perak’s Muhammad Syafiq Puteh piped Selangor’s Chew Yi Wei to the gold medal in the men’s 1m springboard yesterday.

Nineteen year-old Syafiq scored 319.10 poins to nick the gold ahead of Yi Wei (317.60) after a close battle.

Yi Wei led at the halfway mark with 220.60 points against Syafiq’s 213.30.

However, poor dives in the fourth (41.40) and fifth (45.00) caused Yi Wei to drop to second behind Syafiq.

Yi Wei’s sixth and final dive of 52.00 was enough to secure the silver medal, ahead of Sarawak’s Carlyse Chan Wee Chiek (315.70).