No SEA Games but Dhabitah resets for bigger Asian Games push

Sweet diver: Nur Dhabitah Sabri is ready to bring back the smile as she gets ready to make a return. - GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s back to basics for Malaysian woman diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri (pic), who has returned to daily training drills after a lengthy break from the sport.

The three-time Olympian diver is not part of the SEA Games campaign next month as hosts Thailand have only allowed the women’s 10m platform synchro to take place.

Malaysia are thus banking on Sarawak newcomers Nur Elisha Rania and Nur Farisya Alia Affendi to keep the flag flying high on the SEA Games stage.

The absence of a SEA Games assignment, however, hands the 26-year-old the opportunity to reset her programme as she slowly shift her focus to the Asian Games in Japan next year.

Dhabitah took part in the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil early this month where she managed to win a gold with Ong Ker Ying in the women’s 3m springboard synchro and silver in the mixed team event (3m springboard and 10m platform).

The six SEA Games-bound divers – Elisha, Farisya, Yong Rui Jie, Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohd Nazim, Elvis Priestly Anak Clement and Mohd Syafiq Puteh – leaves for South Korea this weekend for a month-long training stint but training continues in Bukit Jalil for the others, including Dhabitah and fellow Olympian Pandelela Rinong.

“I’ve gone back to building up the fundamentals (in springboard). When I returned to training recently, I had no basics at all.

“The Malaysian Open competition was just about getting back the competition feeling. I just want to see where I stand after being away for so long,” said the 2022 World Championships medal winner.

“Now I’m rebuilding my basic skills properly before even thinking on raising difficulty levels.

“If my foundation is strong again, I will be in a good position to be consistent,” said Dhabitah, who has picked up a total of SEA six gold medals between 2013 and 2022.

Dhabitah may have tied the knot two years ago but she is not ready to step away from the sport that she has made many sacrifices over the years to be where she is today.

Looking ahead, Dhabitah is open to represent Malaysia when the SEA Games returns to home soil in two years time.

“If I am still training and if given the chance, I want to represent my country of course.

“But I’m just taking one day at a time.”