Rui Jie-Nurqayyum Dive to Synchro Bronze as Pandelela Pair Narrowly Miss Podium
Yong Rui Jie and Nurqayyum Nazmi won Malaysia's first diving medal of the Asian Games, taking bronze in the men's 3m synchronised springboard.
Malaysia opened its diving medal account at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on Saturday, 26 September, as Yong Rui Jie and Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohamad Nazim claimed bronze in the men's 3m synchronised springboard.
Competing at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, the 20-year-old pair scored 345.81 points to finish behind powerhouses China and hosts Japan.
Consistency pays off
After a steady start, the Malaysian duo found their rhythm from the third dive onwards. According to RTM, their scores across the six rounds were:
- Dive 1: 40.80
- Dive 2: 46.20
- Dive 3: 69.30
- Dive 4: 62.10
- Dive 5: 64.17
- Dive 6: 63.24
Men's 3m synchronised springboard podium:
- Gold: Wang Zongyuan-Zheng Jiuyuan (China) - 465.87
- Silver: Senri Ikuma-Haruki Suyama (Japan) - 355.56
- Bronze: Yong Rui Jie-Nurqayyum Nazmi (Malaysia) - 345.81
Kosmo noted that the result matches the bronze won by Syafiq Puteh and Ooi Tze Liang in the same event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
It also continues an encouraging run for the young pair, who won gold in the same event at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand with 359.85 points, according to RTM.
Pandelela's pair agonisingly close
Earlier in the day, Datuk Pandelela Rinong and Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj came within touching distance of a medal in the women's 10m synchronised platform.
The pair finished fourth with 247.29 points. Their fourth dive was a highlight, earning 66.99 points, but theSun reported that a mistake on their final dive cost them a place on the podium.
For veteran Pandelela, it was a painful near miss. The New Straits Times reported that coach Yeoh Ken Nee rued the fourth-place finish.
A new generation steps up
The bronze from Rui Jie and Nurqayyum is a significant moment for Malaysian diving, which has long relied on established names such as Pandelela. Seeing two 20-year-olds hold their own on the Asian Games stage will be welcome news for the national programme looking towards future major Games.
The medal also adds to a productive Saturday for the Malaysian contingent, which also collected a squash bronze through C. Ameeshenraj and Rachel Arnold in the mixed doubles.
More diving events remain on the programme in Tokyo, giving Malaysia's squad further opportunities to add to the medal count.
Key takeaways
- Yong Rui Jie and Nurqayyum Nazmi won bronze in the men's 3m synchro springboard with 345.81 points.
- China won gold (465.87) and Japan took silver (355.56).
- It is Malaysia's first diving medal of Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
- Pandelela Rinong and Nur Eilisha Rania finished fourth in the women's 10m synchro platform with 247.29 points.
FAQ
Who won Malaysia's first diving medal at the 2026 Asian Games? Yong Rui Jie and Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohamad Nazim, with bronze in the men's 3m synchronised springboard.
How did Pandelela Rinong do in the synchronised platform? She and Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj finished fourth with 247.29 points after an error on their last dive.
Where is the Asian Games diving being held? At the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
Sources: Kosmo, RTM, theSun, New Straits Times