Malaysian diving champion Wendy Ng to help develop talent in new Singapore Aquatics role

SINGAPORE – Since 2013, Malaysian divers have been peerless in the region, clinching 44 out of 45 SEA Games gold medals.

Over that same period, Singapore’s diving contingent won 15 silvers and 16 bronzes, but attaining gold medals has been more challenging.

One of Malaysia’s former top divers, Wendy Ng, is now on board with Singapore Aquatics as its new national talent development coach for diving. And she believes that with “strategic planning, consistent training and the right mindset”, a SEA Games diving gold is “definitely a realistic target”.

The 31-year-old knows what she is talking about – the decorated former diver won seven SEA Games gold medals, silver medals at the Asian and Commonwealth Games, and competed at three Olympics before retiring in April 2024.

In her new role replacing China’s Xiao Xia, she will focus on nurturing young divers, helping them refine their skills and preparing them for higher levels of competition. Her goal is to help Singapore build a stronger pipeline of athletes who can compete at regional and international levels.

While she did not set a timeline for local divers to reach the top of the podium, Ng is clear about what is required for them to succeed.

She said: “To achieve this, Singapore needs to have more international exposure, as competing against top divers regularly will help athletes adapt to higher levels of competition.

“Success doesn’t happen overnight; it takes years of consistent development with a structured long-term programme, strong support system and athlete commitment.

“Coaches, sports scientists and psychologists must ensure divers are mentally and physically prepared, while divers must be willing to put in the hard work, be disciplined and push beyond their comfort zone.”

These insights are what Ng has gleaned from her years in Malaysian diving, that has seen her country win a silver and a bronze at the Olympics, courtesy of star diver Pandelela Rinong.

She said: “Malaysia has a strong diving culture with years of structured programmes, experienced coaches and a well-established talent identification and development system. The depth of talent in Malaysia is also a big factor – there’s a larger pool of divers, which creates healthy competition and drives progress.”

Since starting its diving programme ahead of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, Singapore has made progress at the South-east Asian level with medals, while Tokyo 2020 Olympians Jonathan Chan and Freida Lim made history by becoming the first Singaporean divers to qualify for the Games.

Ng said: “There is definitely potential to grow further. The key to narrowing the gap with Malaysia lies in building a strong grassroots system, providing more international exposure and maintaining consistency in training and development.

“I have learnt in my short time here that increased support in the school system would also help support the growth and development of diving in Singapore.”

Coincidentally, Singapore received a retroactive women’s 3m synchronised springboard gold from the 2017 SEA Games due to Ng. Ashlee Tan and Fong Kay Yian were bumped up after Ng tested positive for sibutramine, an appetite suppressant which is commonly found in weight-loss supplements, and she and partner Dhabitah Sabri were stripped of their gold.

She maintained she did not know how the banned substance ended up in her system. After serving an eight-month suspension, she returned to win golds at the 2019 and 2021 SEA Games, and silver at the 2018 and 2022 Asian Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Ng said: “I’ve been through the ups and downs of an athlete’s journey, so I know how to guide young divers through challenges, setbacks and victories. I bring first-hand experience of what it takes to succeed and beyond that – passion, patience and a strong work ethic.”

Ng’s appointment in January raised eyebrows across the Causeway, as Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh expressed her concern over the increasing number of its former athletes and coaches being lured overseas.

While she did not directly address the issue, Ng noted that she “felt it was the right time to transition into a new role” and chose coaching as it “allows me to share my experience and knowledge with young divers, while continuing to challenge myself in new ways”.

Daniel Campbell, Singapore Aquatics’ sport director for artistic swimming and diving, is looking forward to introducing diving to a wider audience through the July 11-Aug 3 World Aquatics Championships held here, and seeing Ng take the sport further.

He said: “With Wendy on board, we’re excited to expand the athlete base and help Singapore rise to the competitive level in Asia. Wendy’s fun, professional and supportive coaching will nurture emerging talent, and we’re eager to see how her years of experience will shape the next generation of divers.”