Diver Nurqayyum to compete in 3m springboard alongside Syafiq

Busy, busy: Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohd Nazim (right) will also be taking part in the men’s 1m springboard individual today.

PETALING JAYA: Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohd Nazim is emerging as Malaysia’s next male springboard diving hope, and all eyes will be on the 19-year-old as he steps up to the world stage.

The coaches have entrusted Nurqayyum with a key role at the World Championships in Singapore, where he will compete in the men’s 3m springboard individual event alongside two-time SEA Games champion Mohd Syafiq Puteh.

The 19-year-old has been given the nod by the coaches to compete alongside two-time SEA Games champion Mohd Syafiq Puteh for the men’s 3m springboard individual event at the World Championships in Singapore.

Seasoned campaigner Syafiq is only focusing on the men’s 3m springboard individual event at the world meet this time, placing added responsibility on Nurqayyum, who faces a packed schedule in his debut senior world outing.

He will also be taking part in the men’s 1m springboard individual today, as well as teaming up with Yong Rui Jie for the 3m springboard synchro event.

Nevertheless, Nurqayyum is determined to deliver a consistent performance especially in the 3m springboard event – an Olympic discipline.

“It’s a chance to gauge whether I’m on the right path towards qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” he said.

“If I can break into the top 20 here, it’ll give me the confidence to believe that Olympic qualification is within reach,” said Nurqayyum who made a big splash for Malaysia when he claimed bronze in the boys’ 3m springboard (16-18) event at the World Junior Diving Championships in Brazil last year.

It was the first medal at the world junior stage in 18 years.

The last time Malaysia made the podium was in the 2006 edition in Kuala Lumpur when Elizabeth Jimie and Bryan Nickson Lomas won gold and bronze respectively.

The Kajang-born Nurqayyum, who started diving at six, is looking forward to his first senior appearance and getting the chance to rub shoulders with Paris 2024 Olympic medallists Wang Zongyuan from China, Osmar Olvera Ibarra (Mexico) and Jack Laugher (Britain).

“I’ve watched countless videos of them to learn and improve. Now I get to see them in action before my eyes in Singapore,” he added.

Besides Nurqayyum, Rui Jie and Syafiq, the other divers competing in Singapore are platform divers Elvis Priestly Clement, Enrique Harold Maccartney, Lee Yiat Qing and Pandelela Rinong.