National diving technical director Bryan Nickson Lomas (pic) has expressed his hope to rebuild the diving team to emulate their glory days under former China coach Yang Zhuliang. – Azim Rahman/Scoop file pic, August 15, 2024
Rebuilding Malaysian diving: Bryan Lomas to scout fresh talent at Sukma
National technical director wants to revive the glory days when coach Yang Zhuliang was in charge by rebuilding programme from ground up
Fabian Peter
Updated 3 hours ago
15 August, 2024
8:00 PM MYT
Rebuilding Malaysian diving: Bryan Lomas to scout fresh talent at Sukma
National technical director wants to revive the glory days when coach Yang Zhuliang was in charge by rebuilding programme from ground up
Fabian Peter
Updated 3 hours ago
15 August, 2024
8:00 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – National diving technical director Bryan Nickson Lomas has acknowledged a decline in the Malaysian diving team’s performance since the days of former China coach Yang Zhuliang.
A product of Zhuliang’s coaching, Bryan is now working towards reviving the glory days of Malaysian diving by rebuilding the programme from the ground up.
To kickstart this effort, Bryan, along with two other national backup coaches, will travel to Sarawak on Saturday to scout new talents at the Malaysian Games (Sukma).
In an interview with Scoop, the three-time Olympian emphasised the importance of establishing a strong foundation and making diving accessible to all Malaysians.
Reflecting on the recent performances of Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Bertrand Rhodict Lises at the Paris Olympics, Bryan noted that while their results were not extraordinary, they were not failures either.
“We have a lot of work ahead. It’s clear that Malaysian diving has experienced a downturn since coach Yang Zhuliang’s days. The culture was different back then,” said Bryan, who assumed responsibility for the diving squad in 2023.
“Looking at the Paris Olympics, I’d say the performances were mixed. Dhabitah (women’s 3m springboard) deserves credit for reaching the final – especially given the limited preparation time she had.
“Naturally, we hoped for higher scores in the final, knowing her capabilities.
“As for Rhodict (men’s 10m platform), we have to admit his performance was below par. It was his debut at the Games, and perhaps nerves played a part.
“In major events like this, the desire to excel can sometimes backfire.”
Bryan further highlighted that Malaysian diving currently lacks depth in its national backup squad and technical expertise, attributing this to the absence of sufficient grassroots development programmes and infrastructure at the state level.
Expressing gratitude for the support from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and the upcoming fast-track program, Bryan stressed the need for more stakeholders to help raise awareness about the sport.
He also urged the public to be patient, as the development of diving in Malaysia is a meticulous process that requires time.
“At present, a few states such as Sarawak, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, and Selangor have their own talent development programmes, but this is not enough.
“We need qualified coaches – both local and foreign – with high levels of technical expertise in every state. Additionally, states must have the necessary facilities to support their programmes.
“Right now, we lack depth in our backup squad, and it would be unrealistic to expect miracles in Los Angeles 2028.
“However, with the support from the sports minister and the new fast track programme, we hope to develop divers capable of competing for medals at the 2032 Olympics and beyond,” added Bryan, who holds a master’s degree in sports administration from the Russian International Olympic University.
Zhuliang, who first arrived in Malaysia in 2001 to coach the national squad, left four years later for Australia.
He returned for a second stint in 2008 and was pivotal in the rise of divers like Yeoh Ken Nee, Datuk Pandelela Rinong, Datuk Leong Mun Yee, and former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong.
Reportedly, former sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin claimed that Zhuliang’s coaching style promoted fear among the athletes, which led to the ministry not renewing his contract in 2017.
kt comments: 2 Manja-Babes somehow convinced KJ to end the contract, so we are at where we are, all because of those 2 ungrateful thin-skin Manja-Babes. Look at disciplined Cheong Jun Hoong who even became World (FINA) Champion for the 10-metre springboard in 2017.
A product of Zhuliang’s coaching, Bryan is now working towards reviving the glory days of Malaysian diving by rebuilding the programme from the ground up.
To kickstart this effort, Bryan, along with two other national backup coaches, will travel to Sarawak on Saturday to scout new talents at the Malaysian Games (Sukma).
In an interview with Scoop, the three-time Olympian emphasised the importance of establishing a strong foundation and making diving accessible to all Malaysians.
Reflecting on the recent performances of Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Bertrand Rhodict Lises at the Paris Olympics, Bryan noted that while their results were not extraordinary, they were not failures either.
“We have a lot of work ahead. It’s clear that Malaysian diving has experienced a downturn since coach Yang Zhuliang’s days. The culture was different back then,” said Bryan, who assumed responsibility for the diving squad in 2023.
“Looking at the Paris Olympics, I’d say the performances were mixed. Dhabitah (women’s 3m springboard) deserves credit for reaching the final – especially given the limited preparation time she had.
“Naturally, we hoped for higher scores in the final, knowing her capabilities.
“As for Rhodict (men’s 10m platform), we have to admit his performance was below par. It was his debut at the Games, and perhaps nerves played a part.
“In major events like this, the desire to excel can sometimes backfire.”
Bryan further highlighted that Malaysian diving currently lacks depth in its national backup squad and technical expertise, attributing this to the absence of sufficient grassroots development programmes and infrastructure at the state level.
Expressing gratitude for the support from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and the upcoming fast-track program, Bryan stressed the need for more stakeholders to help raise awareness about the sport.
He also urged the public to be patient, as the development of diving in Malaysia is a meticulous process that requires time.
“At present, a few states such as Sarawak, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, and Selangor have their own talent development programmes, but this is not enough.
“We need qualified coaches – both local and foreign – with high levels of technical expertise in every state. Additionally, states must have the necessary facilities to support their programmes.
“Right now, we lack depth in our backup squad, and it would be unrealistic to expect miracles in Los Angeles 2028.
“However, with the support from the sports minister and the new fast track programme, we hope to develop divers capable of competing for medals at the 2032 Olympics and beyond,” added Bryan, who holds a master’s degree in sports administration from the Russian International Olympic University.
Zhuliang, who first arrived in Malaysia in 2001 to coach the national squad, left four years later for Australia.
He returned for a second stint in 2008 and was pivotal in the rise of divers like Yeoh Ken Nee, Datuk Pandelela Rinong, Datuk Leong Mun Yee, and former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong.
Reportedly, former sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin claimed that Zhuliang’s coaching style promoted fear among the athletes, which led to the ministry not renewing his contract in 2017.
kt comments: 2 Manja-Babes somehow convinced KJ to end the contract, so we are at where we are, all because of those 2 ungrateful thin-skin Manja-Babes. Look at disciplined Cheong Jun Hoong who even became World (FINA) Champion for the 10-metre springboard in 2017.
Zhuliang, however, returned for a short stint, only this time to guide Jun Hoong to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. – August 15, 2024
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