National diver Yong Rui Jie attributes his double title win at the National Trials to new coach Ooi Tze Liang, boosting his Asian Games selection hopes
KUALA LUMPUR: National diver Yong Rui Jie has credited new coach Ooi Tze Liang for his improved performance after clinching a double title at the National Trials Championships.
The 20-year-old said his consistency and technique have advanced significantly under Tze Liang’s guidance since February.
“I feel I was more consistent today and have improved a lot,” Rui Jie said after the event at the National Aquatic Centre.
He highlighted improvements in his take-off height and overall consistency as key factors boosting his confidence.
The Kuala Lumpur-born athlete won the men’s 1m springboard event with a total of 341.10 points.
He also secured victory in the 3m synchronised springboard event alongside partner Nurqayyum Mohamad Nazim, scoring 364.62 points.
The victories strengthen Rui Jie’s case for selection to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
“I hope to be selected,” he said, acknowledging he must maintain his current momentum.
His immediate focus is the upcoming Malaysian Invitational Age Group competition in Sarawak.
That event will serve as another important platform to collect qualification points.
National diving technical director Yeoh Ken Nee said the squad’s Asian Games shortlist will be finalised in May.
He confirmed the national trials and the MIAG are the key evaluation platforms for selection.
“Athletes must achieve the minimum qualifying score set to be considered for the Asian Games,” Yeoh said.
A three-week national training camp in China is also being planned to prepare the selected athletes.
