No splash from Dhabitah

Key absence: It is going to be a tough challenge for the women divers to finish on the individual podium this time. – GLENN GUAN/The Star

Experienced Olympian diver pulls out due to health reasons

PETALING JAYA: National diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri, who did not take part in the national diving trials last month, has now opted out of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in September.

Malaysia Aquatics secretary Andy Low said Dhabitah had decided to skip the Asian Games on the doctors’ advice.

“We respect the decision of the athlete who chose not to disclose the details of her health problem.

“She has already informed the National Sports Council (MSN) since she is under the Podium Programme and was in the plans for the Asian Games,” he said.

The absence of the Paris Olympian diver will surely weaken the national team’s campaign for the Asian Games.

At the last Games in Hangzhou in 2023, Dhabitah contributed two medals.

The 27-year-old claimed a silver with partner Wendy Ng Yan Yee in the women’s 3m springboard synchro event and a bronze with Pandelela Rinong in the 10m platform synchro event.

Malaysia finished with one silver and four bronze medals in Hangzhou.

Andy admitted it is going to be a tough challenge for the women divers to finish on the individual podium this time.

“Pandelela is the most experienced diver we have but we hope the younger divers can spring surprises in the synchro events.”

The names of the Asian Games diving team have been submitted to the Olympic Council of Malaysia with the selection committee expected to meet later to go through the recommendations.

The divers contending for the Asian Games spots will have another chance to fight their cases when they compete in the Madrid International Diving meet in the middle of the month.