There were no runaway wins, but rather tight results, composed performances, and rising challenges. From Pandelela Rinong’s steady return in the 10m platform to a strong showing by 18-year-old Elvis Priestly Clement, the second day reflected a national diving scene that is becoming more competitive — and more balanced.
Pandelela’s Pragmatism and Perspective
In the women’s 10m platform, four-time Olympian Pandelela Rinong emerged victorious with a score of 270.20. But the number tells only part of the story.
It was, by her own admission, a routine performance: steady but unspectacular, and notably below the senior MQS of 290, which she had already surpassed twice in prior meets. What stood out wasn’t the score, but the purpose: this wasn’t a trial for qualification, but one for recalibration.
“I’ve already met the MQS, but I came to this meet to stay sharp and avoid the monotony of training,” said the 32-year-old, who is recovering from a tricep injury suffered at the World Cup in Canada. “I think it was an OK performance, I was quite lucky that I win it”, she added
The win gives her a confidence boost heading into the World Championships in Singapore (July 11–Aug 3), but Pandelela was more focused on the bigger picture, particularly the emergence of 20-year-old Nur Eilisha Rania, who finished second with 249.65.
“In another year or two, they’ll overtake me,” she admitted, not with resignation, but with respect.
It was a candid reflection from a diver who knows that legacy isn’t just about medals, it’s about when and how you make room for those coming next.
Elvis Bounces Back with Composed Platform Win
Elvis Priestly Clement delivered one of the most impressive results of the day in the men’s 10m platform, scoring 375.50 to finish ahead of Mohd Anilrian Normatrud (350.50) and Paris-bound Olympian Bertrand Rhodict (350.40). It was a timely recovery for the Sarawakian, who had suffered a rough training crash just days earlier that left him with bruising to his ribs and face.
“I’m happy with my score today. I didn’t aim for the senior MQS, just to meet the basic mark and get selected for bigger competitions,” he said. While he fell short of his personal best (412 points earlier this year), Elvis noted that the judging here was more stringent, a factor he accepted without complaint. His best moment came on the final dive, a twisting routine that nailed both execution and impact. “That last dive was my strongest. I focused today not on difficulty, but on scoring well,” he reflected.
Syafiq Holds On But the Pressure is Mounting
In the men’s 3m springboard, it was Mohd Syafiq Puteh who edged out the field with a score of 391.25, narrowly fending off backup diver Nurqayyum Nazmi (390.70). The margin is less than one point and was perhaps the most telling result of the day.
While Syafiq remains Malaysia’s leading name in the event, Nurqayyum’s rise cannot be ignored. Just 24 hours earlier, the junior had helped upset Syafiq’s synchro pairing with Gabriel Gilbert Daim. Now, in the individual event, he nearly took him down again.
This isn’t about Syafiq underperforming, his score is solid, and well above MQS. But it does reflect a tightening field, where consistency is no longer enough without technical precision. Rui Jie, the double gold medallist from Day 1, finished third with 360.40, rounding out a podium that now reads more like a battleground than a pecking order.
Yiat Qing Wins Again, Seeks More Refinement
In the women’s 3m springboard, Lee Yiat Qing scored 242.20 to win comfortably over Nur Ikmas Darwisyah (186.20). Her victory came just a day after partnering Pandelela for gold in the 10m synchro, marking her as one of the few divers with podium finishes across both boards.
But Yiat Qing was far from satisfied. “There were mistakes that shouldn’t have happened especially on my take-off,” she said. Her self-assessment wasn’t harsh, just honest, an acknowledgment that technical refinements remain a work in progress.
She plans to work on technical elements like her entry and movement in the air, and increase her dive difficulty when her coach deems it suitable. It’s a clear, structured approach and shows she’s aiming not just to win domestically, but to develop for the long term.
What the Numbers Say: Day 2 Recaps
- Four events were contested, with only one athlete (Syafiq) exceeding the senior MQS.
- Elvis’ score of 375.50, while shy of senior MQS, indicates repeatable international-level potential — particularly given physical limitations.
- Pandelela’s sub-MQS score doesn’t alter her qualification status, but reinforces that her primary battle heading into the World Championships is not physical, but mental.
Takeaway from National Diving Trials: Pressure is Building at the Top
Over two days of trials, one pattern has emerged: the veterans still lead, but they no longer lead by much.
Veterans like Pandelela and Syafiq still have the edge, but they now operate with less room for error. Meanwhile, juniors like Elvis, Nurqayyum, and Yiat Qing aren’t just testing waters. They’re slowly making waves: measured, methodical, and increasingly difficult to ignore.
As the World Championships approach, the focus will be on who can stay consistent, adapt under pressure, and raise the bar because the next wave of talent is no longer just potential… it’s performance!
For full results of National Diving Trials: