Kimberly retires from national diving team

KUALA LUMPUR: Kimberly Bong, the gold medallist from the Sea Games, has left the national diving squad.

She made it plain that she is eager to start “another chapter,” but she did not share the rationale behind her choice or her intentions for the future.

She posted on social media yesterday, saying, “15 years of diving, all the laughter, sweat, and tears will never be forgotten.”

“I am grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way in my profession. This chapter will be closed officially.

“It is time for me to move on to another chapter.”

Kimberly, who turns 22 in July, had tremendous potential as a junior, but repeated injuries prevented her from moving up the ranks.

Last year, she had a great season. At the Phnom Penh Sea Games, she won gold in the 3m springboard individual, and at the Chengdu World University Games, she won bronze in the 3m synchronised event with Ong Ker Ying.

Andy Low, secretary-general of Malaysia Aquatics, stated that the organisation will try to hasten the advancement of springboard divers.

“We have a number of (springboard) divers in the backup programme whom we will look to fast track their development.”

Nur Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin, 17, a gold medallist in the 3 metre springboard individual event at the Malaysian Invitational Age-Group Championships earlier this month, is one of the bright young athletes in the backup programme.