THE much-anticipated Malaysia International Online Diving competition got off without any major hiccups yesterday.
Despite the competition stretching to as far as New Zealand and Japan and with the different time zones taken into account, the opening day of the first-of-its-kind event was quite a success.
And result-wise, it was quite a confidence booster for the national divers as they finally got a chance for competitive action after going mostly without any action this year due to Covid-19.
But former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong got off to a disappointing return to competitions after two years as she failed to make the final of the women's 10m platform individual event,
However, it was a one-two finish in the men's 3m springboard individual event with Ooi Tze Liang taking the gold ahead of Chew Yiwei. The 27-year-old recorded a six-dive 408.05 total with Yiwei notching 365.60 points, followed by Japan's Reo Sakata (342.10) at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.
The success has given him a boost ahead of next year's World Cup in Tokyo, which also serves as the final Olympic qualifying meet.
"It was quite an interesting experience diving in this online meet," said Tze Liang, the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
"As the Covid-19 situation continues to be worrying, we have to take care of ourselves, and this format is really helpful for us to maintain our form.
"Performance-wise, I did not do particularly great as I also made mistakes here and there.
"But getting a taste of competition after so long is important, and this experience will also help me prepare for the next event.
"Hopefully, I can go on and score better in the coming dives," added Tze Liang, who is also slated to compete in the 3m springboard synchro event with Yiwei.
In the women's events, Nur Dhabitah Sabri-Wendy Ng topped the 3m springboard synchro with 298.98 points in an event which featured only three pairs.
Australia's Zara Tullipan-Milly Puckeridge came in second with 239.43, followed by compatriots Harriet Kaan-Ellie Cole (219.15).
"I was feeling a bit nervous as well since it's been such a long time," said Dhabitah.
"It has been a new experience for us as the stadium was empty and so quiet, but we had our teammates cheering us on, so it was not so bad after all."
Perak-born Jun Hoong, who had knee surgery in 2018, scored only 237.05 to finish last in the field of four competitors in the preliminaries with only the top three making the final.
Australia's Olivia O'Rourke won with a 248.60 total, followed by Japan's Mei Nagasawa (247.85) and compatriot Sofia Knight (232.60)
RESULTS (Malaysians unless stated) — Men's 3m springboard individual: 1 Ooi Tze Liang 408.05pts, 2 Chew Yiwei 365.60, 3 Reo Sakata (Jpn) 342.10;
10m platform synchro: 1. Luke Sipkes-Arno Lee (NZ) 273.35.
Women's 10m platform individual: 1 Olivia O'Rourke (Aus) 248.60, 2 Mei Nagasawa (Jpn) 247.85, 3 Sofia Knight (Aus) 232.60;
3m springboard synchro: 1 Nur Dhabitah Sabri-Wendy Ng 298.98, 2 Zara Tullipan-Milly Puckeridge (Aus) 239.43, 3 Harriet Kaan-Ellie Cole (Aus) 219.15.