Jasmine picks up her first gold medal

BACK-UP diver Jasmine Lai Pui Yee overcame her disappointment of not seeing action at the Indonesia SEA Games last November by winning the women’s 1m springboard gold for Perak at the Wisma Belia Swimming Complex in Bandar Indera Mahkota yesterday.

Jasmine romped to her first individual success at Sukma after leading from start to finish to garner a total of 228.20 points.

Loh Zhia Yi of the Federal Terri­tories secured the silver in the non-Olympic event with 215.40 points. Selangor’s Adeline Chin took the bronze with a 196.65 total.

Jasmine, 17, was selected for the SEA Games but went to Palembang as a mere spectator.

The win has boosted her confidence ahead of a busy schedule. She has four more events to go.

“I am taking part in all five events and it will be an achievement to win all of them.

“It was frustrating to be there at the SEA Games and not taking part.

“I will try my best to win all the events here,” said Jasmine, who picked Zhia Yi as her strongest rival in the individual 3m springboard and 10m platform.

Chew Yi Wei gave Selangor their first diving gold after coming out tops in the men’s 3m springboard final with 386.40 points.

Three more gold medals will be decided today in the men’s and women’s platform synchro as well as the men’s 1m springboard.