Bukit jalil: New coach Ooi Tze Liang has helped improve national diver Yong Rui Jie's performance as he clinched a double title at the National Trials Championships in Bukit Jalil today. Rui Jie said his improved performances over the past two months were largely influenced by the new training approach and techniques introduced by Tze Liang since February.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 20-year-old diver expressed that his consistency and technique have seen significant improvement, attributing these advancements to the integration of new methods under Tze Liang's guidance. Rui Jie highlighted enhancements in his take-off height and consistency, which have bolstered his confidence in pursuing better results.
The victory is expected to enhance Rui Jie's prospects of being selected for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, as the trials are a crucial selection platform for the event. Despite his success, Rui Jie acknowledged the need to further build his confidence and sustain his current performance level to achieve his goal of competing in the Asian Games.
Rui Jie plans to participate in the upcoming Malaysian Invitational Age Group (MIAG) competition in Sarawak, which will be another opportunity to gather qualification points. At the trials, Rui Jie emerged victorious in the men's 1m springboard event, amassing a total of 341.10 points after six dives. Nurqayyum Mohamad Nazim secured second place with 300.15 points, while Muhammad Syafiq Puteh claimed third place with 292.60 points.
In addition, Rui Jie triumphed in the 3m synchronised springboard event with partner Nurqayyum, earning 364.62 points. The duo of Ikmal Abror Ibrahim and Muhammad Haris Bin Mohd Haikal finished in second place with 307.86 points. Meanwhile, technical director Yeoh Ken Nee stated that the national diving squad's shortlist for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is expected to be finalised this May.
He mentioned that the national trials and the MIAG are pivotal competitions for evaluating athletes' qualifications for the Asian Games. 'Both competitions will be used as qualifiers. Athletes must achieve the minimum qualifying score set to be considered for the Asian Games,' Yeoh Ken Nee noted during the trials. Preparations also include a planned three-week national training camp in China to further enhance the athletes' readiness for the Games after the shortlist is completed.