National diver Ooi Tze Liang has finally made the cut to 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after trying for three years.
Ooi, 21, booked his slot to Rio after winning the gold medal in the men’s 3m springboard with 484.45 points in six jumps at the 2015 Asian Diving Cup championship at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil today.
Ooi, who hailed from Penang was the only elite diver who failed to make it to the London Olympics in 2012.
“I feel I am still dreaming…its like a dream comes true. With the support of the coach and the diving team, I finally made it to Rio. This will be my first Olympics.
“As the third national diver to qualify for Rio, I hope more divers would also make it,” he told reporters here, today.
Ooi said he would intensify training to continue improving his performance as preparations to Rio.
Commenting on his performance at the three-day meet, Ooi said he tried to stay mentally calm to have a more consistent and confident performance.
“Fortunately, I did not make any major mistakes and as the host we were given the privilege of testing the springboard before the competition begins. It was helpful,” he said.
Ooi will be participating in the men’s 10m platform on Sunday.
The 3m springboard silver medal went to compatriot Ahmad Amsyar Azman with 469.65 points, while Peng Jiang Feng of China (388.10) took the bronze medal.
Ahmad Amsyar said he made an error in the third jump and collected only 45.90 which eventually affected his hopes of winning the event.
“My hopes of qualifying for the Olympics may have fizzled out this time, but I will try again to qualify at the World Championships in Brazil in February next year,” he said. – BERNAMA
