Jonathan Chan, a local diver, became the first Singaporean to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
This occurred when he won the Men’s 10m Platform final at the 2019 Asian Diving Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, Sept. 8.
The 22-year-old’s score of 407.90 in the six-round event in Kuala Lumpur saw him beat China’s Wang Zewei (393.45) and North Korea’s Ri Kwon Hyok (347.25). Being the continental champion, Chan earned Singapore a place in the 10m event at the next Olympics.
Talking to The Straits Times, Chan was very happy and for him “it was more disbelief that I felt because there was a Chinese diver and they usually sweep the medals.” Chan admits to still being in shock and that what he has just achieved has not really dawned on him yet.
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In another interview with CNA, Chan said, “”I hope that I will be the first of many more divers to qualify. And to inspire my teammates to work towards qualification as well so that we can go together to Tokyo.”
Chan previously competed at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. He won two silvers and two bronzes at the 2017 Sea Games.
There will be eight events in the diving category at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 which will take place from July 24 to Aug 9. -/TISG
