KUALA LUMPUR: Nurqayyum Nazmi Nazim, preparing for next month’s Thailand SEA Games, said he is only halfway to reaching his peak form.
The Kuala Lumpur diver is seen as the country’s next generation of stars after he ended Malaysia’s 18-year medal drought at the World Junior Championships in Brazil last year by bagging bronze.
At the recent Malaysia Open, he also won bronze in the men’s 3m springboard and silver in the synchro event with Yong Rui Jie.
The 19-year-old said his preparations were still at about 50 per cent with the real push to come during a two-week training camp in South Korea from Nov 23.
“Right now, I would say I’m only halfway there,” said Nurqayyum.
“We’re not yet at full intensity, but during the camp, we will go all out.”
The Malaysian diving squad are scheduled to return home in early December before leaving for Bangkok, where the SEA Games will be held from Dec 9-20.
Nurqayyum, who will compete in both the individual and synchro 3-metre springboard events, said he was focusing on improving his rhythm and mental stability ahead of the SEA Games.
“It’s not really about technique — it’s more about rhythm and mental focus,” he said.
“I’ll be working on my mental side with the team psychologist to make sure I’m fully ready.”
At the SEA Games, Nurqayyum will partner Ruo Jie in the men’s 3m synchro. The duo have been competing together since they were young and share a strong understanding built over years of training together.
“There’s good chemistry between us, and so far, everything’s been smooth,” said Nurqayyum.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
