THERE was no second medal for diver Mohd Syafiq Puteh in Hangzhou – but he was not complaining.
The 27-year-old can finally go back to be with his wife Norashikin Azman, who is expecting their second child very soon.
Syafiq put up a creditable fight to place fifth in the men’s 3m springboard individual final at Hangzhou Aquatic Sports Centre last night, garnering a total of 379.20 points.
Wang Zongyuan and Zheng Jiuyuan gave China the gold (542.30) and silver (508.55) while South Korea’s Yi Jae-gyeong won the bronze with 426.20 points.
Syafiq will still return as a medal winner, having partnered Ooi Tze Liang to take bronze in the men’s 3m springboard synchro event on Sunday.
It was the first time since 2014 that Malaysia had won a medal in the men’s 3m springboard competition synchro event at the Asian Games. It was also Tze Liang who had partnered Ahmad Amsyar Azman to take silver in Incheon then.
“I tried my best shot to defend the individual bronze won by my former teammate Chew Yiwei tonight but it was not meant to be,” said the Ipoh-born diver.
“The South Korean was very consistent, and he had two higher difficulty dives.
“I’m still very happy with what I’ve managed here as I had a very bad fever three weeks earlier.
“When I returned to training after a week, it was not easy for me. Thankfully, I recovered in time for the Games.
“I will take a break before returning to training as I want to spend time with my family. My wife is due end of October or early November.”
The individual competition will end today with Kimberly Bong taking part in the women’s 3m springboard while Bertrand Rhodict and Jellson Jabillin are down for the 10m platform event.
