Nur Dhabitah eager to be injury-free to regain competetive mood

KUALA LUMPUR - National diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri wants to ensure she is free from injury and regain her competitive mood to face several international championships this year.

The 2022 Budapest World Championship bronze medallist shared that her left knee was improving, although she did sprain her left wrist recently during dive training in Bukit Jalil.

"My left knee has been injured for nearly a month. I am not sure why it’s taking a long time to recover as it’s only an inflammation, but I’ve had to take injections there after discussing the matter with the doctor.

"Actually, I’ve been training with my injury, but I can’t make an entry dive because I’ve just recovered, so I don’t feel ready to push myself. I’m taking it one step at a time,” she said when met by Bernama recently.

She added that the FINA World Cup in Canada, from May 5 to 7, would be the first championship she’ll most likely compete in this season after her last showing at the FINA Diving Grand Prix last November.

"In my current situation, it’s hard to place any targets so I’m only focused on regaining my competitive mood as I’m more concerned about my injury and want to recover quickly.

"I’m not thinking about other competitors as I feel it’s unhealthy to focus on that. I just want to do what’s best for myself,” the 24-year-old said.

On her being selected for the Road To Gold (RTG) project, along with dive queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong, Nur Dhabitah admitted that she was excited even though she felt the pressure of what lies ahead.

She said she would take up the challenge by the Youth and Sports Ministry to remain committed in her diving career and qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The RTG project was introduced by the ministry a month ago as a national project to coordinate national efforts to win Malaysia’s first gold medal at the 2024 Olympics and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. - BERNAMA