Don’t lean on me
Tze Liang doesn’t want to overexert himself at KL SEA Games
KUALA LUMPUR: Ooi Tze Liang does not want to be the hero for Malaysia at the Aug 19-31 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
The diver was the most successful Malaysian athlete at the 2015 Singapore SEA Games with a four-gold show.
Besides winning the men’s individual 3m and 10m platform, Tze Liang combined with Ahmad Amsyar Azman for the 3m springboard synchro title. He also emerged as the first diver in SEA Games history to make a clean sweep after partnering Chew Yiwei to win the 10m platform synchro.
But having to focus on multiple events took its toll on Tze Liang. He was constantly plagued by injuries and underwent shinbone operations on both legs after the Rio Olympics last year.
“The rehabiliation took quite some time and it was tough on me.
“Right now, I’m only 80% fit. But I’m optimistic I’ll be in tip-top condition for the Games.
“I hope I don’t get injured again as I want to get stronger and fitter to defend my 3m springboard title at the Commonwealth Games in Australia and the Asian Games in Indonesia next year.
“If I’m not injured, I can learn new routines to bring up my performance and difficulty level. It’s more competitive in the men’s competition.
“There are more events in the SEA Games this time. But I don’t want to be a hero and enter all of them.
“I hope the coach (Yang Zhuliang) let the juniors compete in some of the events,” said Tze Liang, 23.
There will be 13 golds on offer compared to eight in Singapore. The five new additions are the men’s and women’s 1m springboard, mixed synchro for the 3m springboard and 10m platform and the team event.
Tze Liang and the other divers left for China last night for a month-long training stint. Zhuliang has included five juniors Jellson Jabiliin, Gabriel Gilbert Daim, Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya, Muhd Syahmi Mohd Rezal and Kimberly Bong in the 16-member squad.
“The five juniors need this stint more than the seniors. They have no proper place to train due to the renovations at Bukit Jalil.
“And they also have no competitions to compete in. They need to learn all the basic dives before they’re ready for the Games,” said Tze Liang.