The Star : Dhabitah looks good for glory at Commonwealth Games

PETALING JAYA: Teenage diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri (pic) has the potential to serve up a golden surprise in the women's 3m springboard individual at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, in April.

The 18-year-old got her act right when it mattered most to claim a place in the women's 3m springboard individual final as the best-ranked Com­monwealth diver at the Australian Diving Grand Prix in Gold Coast yesterday.

Dhabitah earned 308.40 points for her five-dive routine to finish second ahead of American Maria Coburn ((262.75) in the first semi-final.

That was enough for her to make the final at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre tomorrow.


Malaysia’s second diver Jasmine Lai missed out after placing sixth (206.45).

Australia have no representatives in the final after both Anabelle Smith (246.30) and Alysha Koloi (267.00) finished fourth in their respective semi-final.

Chen Yiwen of China won the second semi-final (311.15) ahead of American Krysta Palmer (284.80) and New Zealand’s Elizabeth Cui (270.20).

In the preliminaries, Dhabitah was sixth (271.90) and Jasmine 12th (218.60).

Dhabitah should be assured of a place in next year’s Commonwealth Games because Rio Olympian finalist Wendy Ng is set to sit it out due to a doping offence during the Kuala Lum­pur SEA Games in August.

A nation can name up to three divers for the individual events at the Commonwealth Games.

Dhabitah, having recovered from a back injury sustained during the SEA Games, is hoping to close the year on a high at Gold Coast.

“The Australian Diving GP is important to all of us as we want to gauge our chances in next year’s Commonwealth Games. This venue will also host the Games next year.

“I did not stop training after the SEA Games because I needed to prepare for the Malaysian GP (last month) and Australian GP. So I’m happy with my performance level,” said Dhabitah, who will also dive in the mixed 3m springboard synchro with Gabriel Gilbert Daim tomorrow.

Malaysia will not have a representative in the men’s 10m platform individual final tomorrow after youngster Jellson Jabillin could only finish fourth in the first semi-final with 322.35 points.

The Sarawak-born Jellson was eighth (339.60) in the preliminaries.

Teammate Muhd Syahmi Rezal failed to advance after placing 14th (253.05) in the preliminaries.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/diving/2017/11/11/well-worth-a-gold-dhabitah-looks-good-for-glory-at-commonwealth-games/#kAmbdEehCj2gWjV2.99