The Star : Diver Loh Zhiayi sets sights on Olympics after returning from eye injury

AFTER returning from a left eye injury that almost ended her career, Loh Zhiayi has set her sights on qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The promising diver showed she’s back on the right track after ending her Malaysia Games (Sukma) campaign on a high by splashing to the girls’ 3m springboard gold medal at the Tuanku Zara Aquatic Centre in Ipoh.

One for the album: Nurul Izzah Anwar (Permatang Pauh MP) and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Steven Sim (front right) posing with 3m springboard gold medallist Loh Zhiayi (back, centre), silver medallist Adeline Chin (back, left) and third-place Koh Hui Yan at the Tuanku Zara Aquatic Centre yesterday.

The Federal Territories lass finished with a score of 267.25 while Selangor’s Adeline Chin scored 260.65 for the silver. Adeline’s teammate Koh Hui Yan won the bronze with 251.55.

It was Zhiayi’s second gold at the Games after winning the synchronized 3m springboard with Ong Ker Ying on Thursday.

“I’ve been injured for almost two years and I only returned to diving again earlier this year, so I was rather doubtful,” said Zhiayi.

“As this is my first competition, I needed time to fully adjust myself, so I feel great to win two golds in my last Sukma.”

Her return to form is a success story as the first doctor she had consulted said she would not be able dive or swim again. But another doctor gave her hope.

“I almost gave up diving. The first doctor said I wouldn’t be able to dive anymore if I go through the operation as the chlorine could affect my eye,” she said.

“But the second doctor helped me insert something into my retina which allowed me to enter the water again.”

The 21-year-old has already made a name for herself at the Youth Olympics in 2014 when she took home a silver in the 10m platform and bronze in the 3m springboard.

And now that she has marked her return in style at the Games, Zhiayi has renewed vigour to achieve much more in the future.

“I still have much more I want to achieve. Next is the Olympics and I hope that I can qualify for it as it is my life’s mission.”


Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/diving/2018/09/22/zhiayis-vision-2020-diver-sets-sights-on-olympics-after-returning-from-eye-injury/#sKtXIMFioCPd0KlO.99