KUALA LUMPUR – National diver Muhammad Syafiq Puteh will be making his fifth appearance at the SEA Games next month, but his focus remains to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Syafiq said he intends to use the Cambodia SEA Games from May 5 to 17 as a stepping stone towards preparing for higher-level tournaments later in the year.
The 27-year-old diver is set to compete at the Fina World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan from July 14 to 30 and the Hangzhou Asian Games in September.
“My main target for 2023 is to qualify for the Paris Olympics next year. I will use the SEA Games as part of my early preparation for the world championships in Fukuoka,” he said when met at the National Sports Council.
Syafiq will be heading to Japan alongside compatriot Ooi Tze Leong where they will compete in the 3m individual event but noted that he is still not on par with the more experienced diver.
“Ooi has been around for longer than me and has more experience. I can’t say we are on the same level yet because he can execute more difficult dives than me.
“But it also comes down to the day of competition. It can really go both ways and depends on who performs better during their dives,” he said.
At the Hanoi SEA Games last year, 29-year-old Ooi brought home two gold medals from the 1m springboard and synchronised 3m springboard, while Syafiq will be looking to defend his 3m springboard title this year.
Meanwhile, Syafiq said he is confident that the junior divers heading to Phnom Penh have what it takes to bring home medals.
“From what I’ve seen during their training, I believe that they can deliver on the podium.
“Even though the SEA Games is their first international tournament, I’m sure they can reach their goals with hard work and confidence,” he added.
Of the eight divers headed to Cambodia, three will be making their debuts, namely Enrique Maccartney Harold, Lee Yiat Qing, and Nur Elisha Rania.
Big name divers such as Datuk Pandelela Rinong, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Ooi Tze Liang, and Wendy Ng Yan Yee were not listed to make way for the young athletes.
Knowing what it is like to debut at the SEA Games, Syafiq recalled his disappointing first outing at the 2015 edition in Singapore.
“That was my worst experience. I was projected to finish on the podium, but I failed to do that as I came in fifth.
“There were some dives that I did not perform my best and fell behind to Indonesia and Singapore. I was definitely nervous that time because I did not have enough experience to control myself,” he said.
At the following SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Syafiq went on to win his first games gold medal in the mixed synchronised 3m springboard together with partner Jasmine Lai.
The national diving team is aiming to bring home three gold, three silver, and two bronze medals from Cambodia next month. – The Vibes, April 8, 2023.
