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Nearly a dream start for Chan

SINGAPORE — Diver Jonathan Chan (picture) may have won the bronze medal in the men’s 10m individual platform yesterday, but he was ultimately left to rue a poor performance in his fifth round that robbed him of a perfect debut at the SEA Games.

Singapore's Jonathan Chan. Photo: Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee / Action Images via Reuters

Singapore's Jonathan Chan. Photo: Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee / Action Images via Reuters

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SINGAPORE — Diver Jonathan Chan (picture) may have won the bronze medal in the men’s 10m individual platform yesterday, but he was ultimately left to rue a poor performance in his fifth round that robbed him of a perfect debut at the SEA Games.

The 18-year-old Singaporean had a good first dive (73.50 points) that put him in second in the eight-strong field, and found himself sandwiched in the standings between Malaysia’s 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ooi Tze Liang and Asian Games bronze medallist Chew Yiwei.

It was the nerves, however, that eventually got to him as he recorded a lacklustre 54.45 in his fifth dive. That setback saw him finish with 356.55 points and a bronze medal after his sixth and final dive.

Ooi won the gold with a score of 415.50 points, while her compatriot Chew nabbed silver with 393.65.

Despite losing out on the silver, Chan was happy with his overall showing. “I was quite nervous at first, but I calmed myself down,” he said. “I was quite surprised to find myself in contention for silver at the beginning, but I just told myself to focus on each dive ... Unfortunately, I slipped up and did not get those last two dives right.”

Chan also lamented about a series of injuries that left him less than 100 per cent. He had sustained a back injury during training in March which affected his preparations.

Last August, just a week before heading to Nanjing for the Youth Olympics, Chan suffered a tricep injury and eventually finished 10th out of 11 divers in the 10m platform.

“I’ve gained a lot of experience just by watching the Malaysians and other top divers perform,” he said. “I have been very unlucky with injuries ... I like to see how (I can perform) if I’m fit at a competition.”

Burmese diver Htet Zaw Myo pulled out after falling on his back in his fourth dive and was carried off on a stretcher yesterday. TODAY understands that he was sent to the hospital for observation on advice by the medical team on ground.

Singapore heads into the last day of the SEA Games diving competition today with one silver and three bronze medals. Twins Mark and Timothy Lee will be in action in the men’s 3m synchronised springboard final while Freida Lim will compete in the women’s 10m platform. ADELENE WONG

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