SHAH ALAM: Three days of training together was all national diver Elvis Priestly Clement and Jared Aiden Harold needed to strike gold for Sarawak in the men's 10m platform synchro at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) at Akuatik Selangor on Thursday (Aug 20).
Despite their limited preparation, Elvis and Jared were in control as they lead throughout the five-dive competition to win with 330.51 points.
Selangor’s Haziq Muizzudin Mohd Asri and Arfa Zikry Muhammad settled for silver with 305.28 points, while Mohd Ayron Shadwaz-Mohd Anilrian Normatrud Abdullah from Sabah took bronze with 288.78.
For Elvis, the victory was especially satisfying as it came two years after he won the same event at the Sarawak Sukma with Jared’s elder brother, Enrique Maccartney Harold.
It also made up for his disappointment in the 3m springboard individual event on Wednesday, when he had to settle for bronze instead of defending his title.
"I managed to redeem my status as a national diver. I was disappointed with my performance in the 3m springboard competition. I fared better today but there are still some aspects we need to improve on," said Elvis.
The lack of preparation made their victory even more impressive, with Elvis based with the national team in Bukit Jalil while Jared trains separately in Kuching.
"It was not an easy task to win as I didn’t have the chance to train together with Jared," said Elvis.
It was double joy for Sarawak as Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin and Awang Sharzan Nasaruddin won the mixed 3m springboard synchro competition with 235.32 points.
Yong Rui Jie, who had won the 3m springboard individual event on Wednesday (Aug 19), earned his second medal after combining with Teng Hui Xue for the silver for Federal Territories (224.13).
Uzlifatil Jannah Ashraf and Mohd Aeriel Riezqi Abdullah got the bronze for the hosts with 216.36 points.
RESULTS
Men's 10m platform synchro: 1. Elvis Priestly Clement-Jared Aiden Harold (Swk) 330.51, 2. Haziq Muizzudin Mohd Asri-Arfa Zikry Muhammad (Sel) 305.28, 3. Mohd Ayron Shadwaz-Mohd Anilrian Normatrud (Sab) 288.78.
Women's 1m springboard: 1. Uzlifatil Jannah Ashraf (Sel) 216.30, 2. Mya Yumna Schakeera (Swk) 210.60, 3. Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin (Swk) 209.15.
Mixed 3m synchro: 1. Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin-Awang Sharzan Nasaruddin (Swk) 235.32, 2. Teng Hui Xue-Yong Rui Jie (FT) 224.13, 3. Uzlifatil Jannah-Mohd Aeriel Riezqi (Sel) 216.36.
