SHAH ALAM: Years of early starts and relentless training finally paid off as Yong Rui Jie of Federal Territories struck individual gold at Malaysia Games (Sukma) for the first time.
The 20-year-old Rui Jie, making his last Games appearance, finally topped the men's 3m springboard competition with 391.85 points at the Akuatik Selangor pool.
Selangor's Haris Rezal pushed him all the way before settling for silver with 387.45 points while Sarawakian Elvis Priestly Clement, the winner when his state hosted the last Sukma two years ago, finished third on 368.30 points.
For Rui Jie, who brought back a silver from Sarawak two years ago, the victory also completed a redemption mission in his third Sukma stage.
"The first person I would like to dedicate this gold to is myself because I worked hard every day, waking up at 5.30am for training.
"I have to get into the cold water, then I have to go to class, and after class I come back for training again.
"I felt that if I didn't win this medal, I would feel sorry for myself. I feel like I deserve this medal.
Rui Jie, who had won gold with Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohd Nazim in the men's 3m springboard synchro at the Thailand SEA Games last December, thanked his coach Ooi Tze Liang.
"It was redemption. I also want to thank my coach for playing a major role in developing me into a better diver over the past year.
"He helped not only in training but also mentally. I think that has been very important to my improvement."
Thailand SEA Games champions Nur Eilisha Rania-Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi had no problem securing the girls' 10m platform synchro gold medal for Sarawak.
The duo finished the five-dive competition with 259.74 points ahead of Perak pair Siti Nurul Jannah Malik-Trisya Ann Voon, who garnered 216.18.
RESULTS
Men's 3m springboard individual: 1. Yong Rui Jie (FT) 391.85, 2. Mohd Haris Mohd Rezal (Sel) 387.45, 3. Elvis Priestly Anak Clement (Swk) 368.30.
Women's platform synchro: 1. Nur Eilisha Rania-Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi (Swk) 259.74, 2. Siti Nurul Jannah Malik-Trisya Ann Voon (Prk) 216.18, 3. Noor Qaisara Dayana-Nur Aisy Innara (Pah) 215.94.
