KUALA LUMPUR – There is no definitive timeline from Malaysia’s diving sweetheart, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, on her break from diving.
Speaking to Scoop shortly after arriving from Paris, Dhabitah reiterated her decision to take a break from diving after feeling the weight of representing the country for more than a decade.
Moreover, Dhabitah’s hopes of securing a medal at the Paris Olympics were dashed as she finished last in the women’s 3m springboard final, a disappointing outcome compared to her fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
As a result, following her unsuccessful campaign in Paris, she cannot personally determine how long she will need to rest or when she will return to the national squad.
“I don’t have a specific timeframe; it depends on my wellbeing. I can’t force myself to commit to a set period; it just isn’t possible.
“It’s up to me. If I’m ready to return, I’ll come back (to the national squad) and continue. But I need this break because, after all these years, it seems I haven’t had proper rest. I feel like I’ve been injuring myself and need to reset,” said Dhabitah when met at Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.
Dhabitah’s decision also means that the 25-year-old diver will not participate in the Malaysia Open Diving Championships, set to take place on November 1.
It has been a gruelling season for Dhabitah, as she faced numerous challenges before receiving a last-minute call to compete in her third Olympic Games.
In February, she and the diving team faced severe criticism for failing to qualify on merit at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.
During the event, Dhabitah competed in three disciplines but fell short of her usual standards. In her signature event, the 3m springboard, she was eliminated in the first round, finishing 24th overall.
Her partnership with Datuk Pandelela Rinong also failed to secure a spot for Paris 2024, as they finished 12th in the synchronised 10m platform.
Additionally, her pairing with Wendy Ng did not achieve a qualification slot for the prestigious Games, ending in ninth place in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard.
After the competition, Dhabitah revealed that she had suffered a triceps injury and faced difficulties with her previous coach, Li Rui, before being replaced by another Chinese coach, Mao Ling. – August 13, 2024