KUALA LUMPUR – National backup diver Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin defied all odds to defeat Cambodia SEA Games gold-medallist Lee Yiat Qing in the 3m springboard at the Malaysia Invitational Age Group Diving Championships.
Nursharzyra, representing Sarawak, scored a total of 374.60 points from nine dives to emerge as the winner at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil today.
Yiat Qing, representing Kuala Lumpur, was 1.90 points behind with a total of 372.70, earning her the silver medal, while teammate Teng Hui Xue completed the podium by scoring 307.45.
Nursharzyra, who joined the national backup squad in February, attributed her elevated performance to training alongside senior Podium Programme athletes.
“Now that I have joined the national backup squad, I need to work harder. The encouragement and support from the seniors have boosted my confidence. They have been giving me words of encouragement.
“They inspire me to do better, and all of these drive me to push myself,” said the 17-year-old.
Despite her victory, the Kuching-born diver remained humble, acknowledging that her specialisation in the springboard played a role in her win against Yiat Qing, who won the 10m platform at last year’s Phnom Penh SEA Games.
“I don’t think I am better than Yiat Qing; if you look at the score, it was really close.
“I specialise in the springboard, whereas Yiat Qing is more proficient in platform diving,” she added.
Nursharzyra’s next big assignment is Sukma, which will be hosted in her home state of Sarawak.
“(Although) I did well enough today, there were still a few mistakes. But I have plenty of time to train and fix those mistakes for Sukma.
“I want to do my best for Sukma, and if I can win, that would be great,” said Nursharzyra.
Earlier in the competition, she partnered with Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj to win gold in the 3m synchronised springboard.
The duo from Sarawak recorded a total of 218.25 to beat Yiat Qiang-Hui Xue (203.64) of Kuala Lumpur into second place.
Ainslee Kwang-Adrielle Tan (202.44) from Singapore completed the podium. – May 11, 2024