NATIONAL coach Yang Zhuliang has admitted that it has been a tiring season for his divers after ending their campaign in the just-concluded Malaysian leg of the World Grand Prix in Bukit Jalil.
The divers competed in several events including the World Grand Prix, Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Incheon Asian Games this season.
Despite not achieving their targets in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, Zhuliang said his divers have made progress.
“The divers are now tired. It has been a tiring season and I am giving them a break.
“Pandelela Rinong needs to recover from her shoulder and knee injuries so too others who are carrying minor problems,” said Zhuliang yesterday.
“Our priority will be next year’s World Championships in Kazan in July, where the top divers will earn automatic berths for the 2016 Olympics.
“The top 12 divers from the 3m spirngboard and 10m platform individual events at the world meet will qualify so too the top three in the synchro events.”
Zhuliang said he is confident his female divers will qualify easily for the Olympics.
“Our women divers are progressing and furthermore, I have options in youngsters. But I am worried about our three-member men’s team in Ooi Tze Liang, Ahmad Amsyar Azman and Chew Yiwei.
“The trio need to push harder in the world meet as it could be tough for them in the 3m individual synchro and the 10m platform individual.
“I have three divers in the men's back-up team. They are too young. We will have to scout for more divers as Bryan Nickson Lomas will not return to the national team for the Olympics,” said Zhuliang.
Zhuliang singled out Tze Liang and Loh Zhaiyi as the most promising divers this season.
“Tze Liang showed his mettle by winning gold in Glasgow while Zhaiyi made her mark in platform events in several competition.
“I believe Zhaiyi will challenge Pandelela as the new platform champion in Malaysia soon.
“Pandelela, however, is still young and I am confident she will make more progress,” Zhuliang added. By Ajitpal Singh