Malaysian divers take more golds

The top three divers on the podium for the men’s 1m individual springboard. VNA/- VnExpress News Photo Trọng Đạt

Thanh Hà

Malaysia continued to show their diving prowess, winning two more gold medals on the second day of competition at the SEA Games 31 in Hà Nội.

Ooi Tze Liang came first in the men’s 1m individual springboard event with 377.70 points after six attempts. This was his second gold medal of the Games after the men’s synchronised 3m springboard the day before at the Mỹ Đình Water Sports Palace.

He now has a full collection of gold medals from all five SEA Games events.

The 1m individual springboard was the only gold that Tze Liang had not won prior to the Hà Nội Games.

Since his debut in 2011, he has won the 3m springboard individual and the 3m springboard synchro four times each, twice for the 10m platform individual and once for the 10m platform synchro.

Singaporean Avvir Pac Lun Tham came second with 286.4 points.

Another Malaysian, Bertrand Rhodict Lises, came third with 284.90 points. It proved to be a memorable Games for the 18-year-old Rhodict, who was making his debut.

Việt Nam had two representatives in this category but neither of them could make it into the top three.

Phương Thế Anh and Nguyễn Tùng Dương, who won a silver in the men’s synchronised 3m springboard, bagged 248.25 points and 233.10 points to finish sixth and seventh, respectively. 

Only three teams were competing in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard. 

Malaysian Ng Yan Yee and Ong Ker Ying excelled, taking first place with 276.30 points.

Việt Nam’s Ngô Phương Mai and Mai Hồng Hạnh, and Singapore’s Ashlee Tan and Fong Kay Yian, vied for silver.

The Singaporean pair took the lead from the beginning but the host duo made a perfect last jump to steal second place overall. 

Việt Nam’s Ngô Phương Mai and Mai Hồng Hạnh perform in the synchronised 3m springboard event. VNA/- VnExpress News Photo Trọng Đạt

Mai and Hạnh grabbed 237.57 points while Tan and Yian had 299.41 points.

Mai, who won her fourth SEA Games bronze on May 8 in the women’s individual 1m springboard, burst into tears after taking silver.

“I just thought about a third-place finish but it seems that I am in good mood today, so my result is better than expected,” Mai said.

“I have dreamed of winning more than bronze for a long time. Now, I have made it,” said Mai, who was comforted by many teammates and coaches.

This is her fourth SEA Games, but this result is a career-high after three bronzes previously.

With four golds, Malaysia goes to the top of the medal tally. Việt Nam are second with two silvers and one bronze. Singapore appear on the medal table with one bronze.

On May 8, Việt Nam Chief-de-mission Trần Đức Phấn announced bonuses for athletes who win medals at the SEA Games 31.

Accordingly, the gold medallists will receive VNĐ10 million, silver medallists will get VNĐ5 million and bronze medallists will earn VNĐ3 million. 

On May 10, athletes will compete in the women’s individual 3m springboard and men’s synchronised 10m platform events.