SEPANG, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- National diving team coach Nor Aznizal Najib is optimistic that Malaysia still has quality athletes and emerging talents in diving but they need to strengthen their mental resilience to achieve their goals ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Nor Aznizal, who was previously under the guidance of Chinese coach Yang Zhuliang, said that the country's diving athletes need to change their mentality by setting higher targets at the Olympic Games, rather than merely aiming to qualify for the biggest sporting event on the planet.
“For me, the future for LA 2028 seems quite positive because we have athletes with potential, but we need to correct their mindset. We can see the quality of our athletes, but in terms of mindset, we need to instill it from the beginning.
“The divers need to set their targets a bit higher, not just aiming to qualify for the Olympics,” he told reporters after arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from Paris yesterday.
Nor Aznizal is the first local coach to lead the diving squad at the Olympic Games after being appointed in March.
Meanwhile, he praised the high fighting spirit displayed by national diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri at the just-concluded Paris Olympics, despite undergoing a tight training schedule and preparations due to her last-minute qualification.
“It was quite surprising for us as well when she (Dhabitah) qualified at the last moment. We were training in Melbourne, and from having no hope, suddenly there was that glimmer of hope.
“I noticed the intensity in the remaining two short weeks before the Olympics (Paris). I saw Dhabitah’s determination; she tried to focus and remain positive in training. However, we don’t know what she was feeling at that time,” he said.
Nur Dhabitah finished in the last position in the women’s 3-metres springboard final at the Paris Olympic Games, marking the second consecutive edition where the diving team failed to win any medals at the Olympics.
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