KUALA LUMPUR: National diving rising star Bertrand Rhodict Lises aims to spring a surprise when he makes his debut in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games in China from Sept 23-Oct 8.
The 18-year-old said his personal target is to get on the podium and bring home a medal from the quadrennial Games.
“There is a chance for me to get a medal but if I put too much pressure on myself, it might not happen. I definitely want to get on the podium and win either the silver or bronze… anything can happen.
“Like in Fukuoka (at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships) I did not expect to finish third in the qualifying round, (so) if I can get on the podium, why not?” he said when met during the diving team’s training session at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil here recently.
At the world meet in Fukuoka, Japan in July, the Sarawak diver emerged as the first Malaysian to qualify on merit for the 2024 Paris Olympics courtesy of his 10th placing in the men’s 10-metre (m) platform individual final.
Bertrand had earlier clinched silver in the men’s 10m platform individual at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia in May for his second personal medal, having won a bronze medal in the 1m springboard event in the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, commenting on his participation in Hangzhou, Bertrand aims to compete in the 10m platform individual and 10m platform synchronised event with Enrique Harold.
He is actively training to get back into the rhythm now that he has increased his level of difficulty since returning from Fukuoka.
“We have raised the degree of difficulty for both events. If it works, our chances of winning a medal will be higher, otherwise, we will stick to the same level of difficulty as in Fukuoka,” said Bertrand, who expects stiff competition from divers from China, Japan and South Korea in Hangzhou.
He said the national team will leave for Sichuan, China next week to undergo training before starting their Asiad campaign in Hangzhou.– BERNAMA
