The cheery Malaysian diver may have missed out on bronze, but she has definitely won the hearts of all Malaysians and those watching the Tokyo 2020 diving competitions
Like her diving compatriots, 22-year-old Nur Dhabitah Sabri, otherwise known as Dhabitah, headed to Tokyo 2020 with only one thing in mind—to make Malaysia proud. She brought with her a chock-full of determination, her love for the aquatic sport, and a support system comprising of teammates Pandelela Rinong, Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, and Leong Mun Yee. Little did she expect that she would be the only Malaysian so far to make the finals.
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The multi-medallist, a picture of consistency, tallied a 312.60 total to finish sixth in the semifinals of the 3m individual springboard event at the Olympic Aquatic Centre. Her dedication to the sport and years of hard work were showcased in her form, and her dazzling smile mesmerised viewers at home.
Her habit of smiling, she would later explain, isn’t something that she does on purpose. “I smile a lot because it helps release tension. The pressure is tense before a dive and smiling helps me calm down,” she said.
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Checking in to the event without her compatriot Ng Yan Yee at her second Olympics appearance and maiden appearance in a final meant that the pressure had doubled, if not tripled. Regardless, with her head held high, Dhabitah took a deep breath and dove right in at the finals of the 3m individual springboard event.