HANGZHOU: Three days of competition which saw Nur Dhabitah Sabri earn two medals, finally took its toll on the Malaysian diver.
A worn-out Dhabitah had to settle for fourth place in the Asian Games women’s 1m springboard final on Monday.
The 24-year-old had looked set to win the bronze but was overtaken by South Korean Kim Su Ji, a bronze medallist in the 2018 edition, in the fifth and final dive.
Dhabitah, who won a a bronze (with Pandelela Rinong) in the women’s 10m platform synchro on Saturday and a silver (with Wendy Ng) in the women’s 3m springboard synchro on Sunday, posted 261.85 points to finish behind Su Ji (267.10).
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more Former world champion Li Yajie of China bagged the gold on 317.55 while her compatriot and reigning world champion Lin Shan (303.80) snatched the silver.
Dhabitah said: “I know I can be better, but since the start of the diving competition, I’ve been competing back-to- back in three different events.
“I feel tired and I haven’t had the best recovery. It’s quite stressful.”
Dhabitah, who won two bronzes and one silver at the previous Games, added: “I wasn’t expecting much and just wanted to try my best, I have no regrets.” Another Malaysian, debutant Ong Ker Ying finished seventh out of 12 divers with a 219.45 total.
Dhabitah also confirmed that she will be skipping the women’s 3m springboard event on Wednesday, leaving Kimberly Bong as the sole Malaysian to compete in the event.
Meanwhile in athletics, the national men’s 4x100m quartet ran a good race Monday morning to qualify for the final at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium.
Khairul Hafiz Jantan, Muhammad Arsyad Md Saat, Jonathan Nyepa and Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi clocked 39.40 seconds to finish third in Heat 1 of round one, behind China’s Chen Guanfeng, Xie Zhenye, Yan Haibin and Chen Jiapeng (38.62s) and South Korea’s Lee Jeontae, Kim Kukyoung, Lee Jaeseong and Park Wonjin (38.75s). The Malaysians were placed fourth overall in the first round Monday to enter the final.
Their timing was slightly slower than the national record of 39.09s set by Muhammad Azeem, Muhammad Arsyad, Muhammad Haiqal Hanafi and Muhammad Zulfiqar Ismail at the Hanoi SEA Games in May 2022.
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