Cover Bertrand Rhodict Lises became the first Malaysian athlete to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024
Bertrand Rhodict Lises became the first Malaysian athlete to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024
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Meet Bertrand Rhodict Lises, the 18-year-old diving sensation who is making waves as the first Malaysian to dive into the spotlight at the upcoming Paris Olympics
At just 18 years old, Bertrand Rhodict Lises has created a splash in the realm of diving. Carrying the weight of expectations on his shoulders, his unexpected advancement to the final of the men’s 10-metre platform individual event at the World Aquatic Championships 2023 in Fukuoka not only made headlines but also distinguished him as the first Malaysian to clinch a spot in the forthcoming Paris Olympics.
Rhodict’s journey into the world of diving had a whimsical start. Initially coerced into swimming, a sport that failed to ignite his passion, fate intervened. Next to the swimming pool lay a diving pool, and it was there, at the age of four, that Rhodict found his true calling.
“I actually have a family background (in sports); most of my family members are into sports. I started swimming because my brother and sister were swimmers. And then my mother was like, ‘just send me together to at least have something to do’ because I’m that energetic kind of person; I cannot sit still. So my mother sent me to swim,” recalls Rhodict.
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Above Rhodict was raised in a family where athleticism was a birthright
Above Diving initially started out as a hobby
Rhodict was raised in a family where athleticism was a birthright
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What began as an escape from the monotony of swimming lessons soon blossomed into an enduring love for the art of diving. “I actually started diving as a hobby. I went there to kill time and have fun. After I turned seven years old, I started to take things seriously because when Pandelela Rinong made her name, and it was all over Malaysia, I realised there’s a future in diving, so I started taking it seriously,” he says.
Raised in a family where athleticism was a birthright, Rhodict’s path was shaped by familial sporting prowess. With siblings who were accomplished swimmers and parents who had left their mark on the sports field, the young diver was born into a legacy of competition and excellence.
“My mother represented her school and almost represented her state while my father played football, so I got full support from my parents in sports,” Rhodict reminisces. “When my siblings and I were in SUKMA, we’d compete for how many medals we’d bring back. It’s kind of like a healthy competitive relationship.”
Above Rhodict started to take diving seriously at seven
Rhodict started to take diving seriously at seven
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Managing the trifecta of academics, relentless training schedules, and navigating his teenage life is a challenge that Rhodict faces head-on. His parents, recognising his boundless energy, crafted a meticulous timetable that allowed him to excel both academically and athletically.
“When I was younger, my parents managed my personal time. They were always the ones who made sure I got to training and school on time, and studied well,” he recalls. “For sure, I missed out on a lot. I tend to get jealous when other people are having fun, but I’m there training, sacrificing time for my training and studies. I still feel jealous, but it’s part of my work already, so I don’t get jealous right now.”
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The pivotal moment in Rhodict’s trajectory came at the age of 14 when he received an offer from the National Sports Council of Malaysia. This offer marked not only a shift in geography—from Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur—but also a leap onto the national stage. Joining the national team became a strategic move, propelling Rhodict into a realm where Olympic dreams began to crystallise.
But the path to Olympic qualification had its challenges. A significant ankle injury during a lockdown hiatus threatened to derail Rhodict’s momentum. “During the Covid lockdown, I injured my ankle, so I had to go for surgery, and I was out for a year,” Rhodict says, explaining that that age was the peak time for performance, and the injury set back his progress. However, in the face of adversity, he chose resilience. “I couldn’t go for competitions because I was injured, but it pushed me to train harder to prepare for other competitions.”
After I turned seven years old, I started to take things seriously because when Pandelela Rinong made her name, I realised there’s a future in diving, so I started taking it seriously
Qualifying for the 2024 Olympics marked a life-changing moment in Rhodict’s career. The disbelief mingled with exhilaration as he realised the magnitude of his achievement. “I couldn’t believe it, actually. I was so excited and happy, but after that, I knew what challenges were coming, so I had to be fully prepared for the Olympics. Right now, I’m anxious because people expect me to do well, so I will try to do my best and prove to them that I can [perform] well for them.”
He acknowledges the mental stresses that come with his qualification, “For sure, there is some mental setback; when you are young, people tend to judge. They say, why not send the older athletes who have been in this industry for a long time? Then there are some who say it’s good to send a new athlete for bigger games. That’s a [positive] thing; it’s a privilege to be able to perform at the Olympics at such
a young age. I cannot say I’m the youngest because in other sports, there are people representing their own country at a younger age. I think I will take this opportunity to learn and perform well through all my training and everything. I hope I can do well and get a medal or a good spot at the Olympics.”
Above Rhodict plans to be world number one in the future
Rhodict plans to be world number one in the future
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He further talks about the values and principles that guide his life and thought processes, “I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist, but I like to make things perfect. In terms of diving, I like everything I do to be done perfectly because diving is a sport that demands perfection. So your technique needs to be clean, your entry needs to be clean, and the way you dive needs to be clean. I want everything to be perfect and in line towards the future.”
When asked about his aspirations, he confidently stated, “Yes, I do plan to be world number one,” showcasing his ambitious pursuit of excellence in the world of diving.
Credits
Photography: Daniel Adams
Sim Wie Boon is the general manager of Tatler Malaysia. Previously the print and digital editor, Sim hails from the land of the hornbills, Sarawak. Sim is now based in Kuala Lumpur and brings more than a decade of experience in the media industry as a journalist and broadcast producer.
As a self-proclaimed geriatric millennial, he appreciates the finer things in life, from savouring a sip of single malt whisky to relishing in the deliciousness of char siew. While reminiscing about the indie-sleaze era, Sim now finds solace in the soothing tunes of ambient music, staying active through running and occasionally succumbing to the addictive world of doom scrolling.
Follow him on Instagram or Threads at @simwb
