PETALING JAYA: Divers Wendy Ng Yan Yee and Nur Dhabitah Sabri’s (pic) sixth spot is not bad, considering that they had only a short time to prepare for the World Championships.
The duo, who were hoping to spring a surprise, only managed 282.45 in the women’s 3m springboard synchro final to finish sixth at the Duna Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday.
They had only reunited for the world meet after competing with different partners at the SEA Games in Hanoi in May.
They started with 48.00 points in the first jump but dipped in the second with 42.60. They showed composure in the third with 66.60 and maintained the over-60 mark with 60.45 and 64.80 in the last two jumps.
Their score in the final was better than in the semi-finals when they registered 275.46 to finish seventh.
Wendy also revealed that the outing in Hungary was their best score after four years in a major competition.
They had posted 298.23 in the 2018 Asian Games where they won the silver medal.
“It’s good that we are improving. I’m quite happy with our performance, and I do hope this will give an indication to the coaching staff that they should keep us together,” she said.
“We hope to be paired for the Commonwealth Games. I believe we can further improve before the Games (July 28-Aug 8).”
As expected, China’s Chen Yiwen-Chang Yani won gold with a score of 343.14 while Japan’s Mikami Sayaka-Kaneto Rin took silver with 303.00.
Australia’s Madison Keeney-Anabelle Smith took bronze with 294.12.
Malaysia wrapped up their campaign with two bronze medals, via Pandelela Rinong in the 10m platform and Pandelela-Dhabitah in the 10m platform synchro.
