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Sunday March 1, 2009

Ken Nee bags a first at world diving meet

By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: National diver Yeoh Ken Nee has finally won his first-ever individual medal in the FINA World Diving Grand Prix.

On Friday, Ken Nee bagged a bronze in the men’s 3m springboard final with 452.95 points in the second-leg of the Grand Prix in Rostock, Germany.

China’s Li Shixin continued his domination in the springboard events when he nailed the gold medal with an impressive 486.15 points. Local favourite Pavlo Rozenberg took the silver with 482.55.

Ken Nee: Won a bronze in the men’s 3m springboard event.

Malaysia’s Rossharisham Roslan failed to make the cut for the final after finishing fifth in the first semi-finals with 363.50 points.

For Ken Nee, it was his second back-to-back achievement in a FINA World Diving Grand Prix this year.

He partnered Rossharisham to bag a silver medal in the men’s 3m springboard synchronised event in the opening-leg in Shenzen, China, two weeks ago.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Edwin Chong was full of praise for Ken Nee for his breakthrough — especially in a Grand Prix event that attracted divers from 19 countries.

“Ken Nee missed out on a medal in the same event in the opening-leg when he finished fourth two weeks ago. This time, he got it right with improved performances. This is his first medal in an individual event in a World GP,” Edwin said in a telephone interview from Germany yesterday.

“This is a big achievement for Ken Nee because the quality of the tournament is higher in the second-leg of this Grand Prix series.

“In Shenzen, only six countries competed, including China and Russia. But here, 19 countries, including a strong field from European nations, took part.

“It is a personal breakthrough for Ken Nee to finish among medal winners. Hopefully, he can maintain his good showing in the next event.”

Ken Nee will compete in the men’s 3m springboard synchronised event with Rossharisham in Rostock but it will tough for them to finish among the top three again.

In the women’s event, Malaysia’s hopes will be on Leong Mun Yee to achieve a commendable result in the 3m springboard.

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