FROM a last-minute wildcard entry to qualifying for the final, Nur Dhabitah is proving why she deserves to be at the Paris Olympics.
Although she only got her ticket to the Olympics at the 11th hour thanks to an unused quota by other countries, Dhabitah showed that she belongs in the same league with the best divers in the world.
Dhabitah booked her spot in the final of the women’s 3m springboard event by finishing in eighth position out of 18 divers in the semi-final at the Paris Olympics Aquatics Centre yesterday.
“I have a point to prove that although I am here because of an unused quota, I belong here.
“I am an Olympian and I deserve to be competing here,” she said.
The 25-year-old scored a total of 286.95 in her semi-final run yesterday, but Dhabitah admitted that it wasn’t a smooth run for her.
“The semi-final was a roller coaster ride. My first dive was awesome, and the second one wasn’t that bad.
“But I trembled a little after that for my next two dives,” she said.
Dhabitah started strong with her first dive scoring 67.50, and her second dive earned her 55.60.
The third dive saw only 46.50 for Dhabitah, but words of encouragement from coach Nor Aznizal Najib gave Dhabitah the confidence to bounce back.
“My coach had the trust in me to come back in my last dive. He said what’s done is done, time to think forward, and wanted to see how I could recover.
“He gave me support and positive encouragement,” she said.
With only the top 12 divers qualifying for the final, Dhabitah bounced back in the last two dives, scoring 57.00 and 60.45 respectively, which was enough to see her through to the final.
In the semi-final yesterday, China’s Chen Yiwen finished on top with 360.85 points, while Australia’s Maddison Keeney was close behind in second with 334.70. Chiara Pellacani from Italy came in third with 324.75.
Although this is her third Olympics appearance, Dhabitah said she still feels nervous going up against the best divers in the world but is slowly finding her footing.
“I’m still struggling with my nerves but I’m slowly trying to adapt.
“I haven’t had many big competitions for a while and the competition here is tough, everyone wants that medal.
“Everyone has their fight here, and I have my fight as well,” added Dhabitah, who finished fourth in the same event at the last edition in Tokyo.
