Her training regimen has always been rigorous, but the recent announcement has intensified her focus. “My training was consistent even before I found out that I would be able to go to the Olympics, so right now, I’m trying to focus on perfecting the execution part. There are also some other things that I will need to get used to, like the new springboards that they will be using at the Olympics,” she explains. “Part of my training here in London is actually to familiarise myself with the elasticity of the springboard so I can be more prepared for the Olympics.”

See also: Malaysia’s Olympic deputy chef de mission Nicol David on 4 anticipated highlights of her first Olympics

And as the Games approach, Dhabitah acknowledges the pressure she feels. “I am very grateful to have this chance to represent my country, but I do also feel some pressure to perform well as only one of two divers from Malaysia. Finding a good mental space that helps me turn this pressure into something productive is something I am working on,” she shares.

Reflecting on her previous Olympic experiences in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Dhabitah sees each as unique and formative. “Each Olympics experience has been unique to me, and I think Paris 2024 will be just as memorable. It feels especially different this time now that Bertrand and I are seniors, so I want to use this opportunity to encourage my teammates and inspire them to keep going,” she says.

Her focus has shifted from merely aiming for medals to personal improvement and enjoyment of the sport. “I think I have learned how to manage my focus better. At first, it’s easy to just aim for the medal, but for me, I have found that just focusing on the results makes diving more stressful rather than enjoyable, and that impacts my performance,” she explains. “Instead, I try to focus on always improving and doing my best, and that way, my passion for diving can come through in my actual performance on competition day.”

Don’t miss: How Olympic Villages evolved into sustainable urban legacies

Dhabitah’s personal goal for the Paris Olympics is clear: to improve on her score from Tokyo. “The scoring system will be even stricter this time around because of the new rules from World Aquatics, so if I can improve on my score despite that, I think that would be very meaningful to me,” she says. The opportunity to represent Malaysia on such a prestigious platform fills her with pride.

“Every time that I have gone to the Olympics, I have been so grateful to have had a chance to represent my country in a sport I love on this level. I hope that Malaysians back home will be able to cheer me on, and I will be doing my best for my nation.”

NOW READ

Meet the Olympians who displayed great sportsmanship at the Games

Editor’s pick: Favourite shopping sites for retail therapy

Asia’s 50 Best Bars revealed for 2024, Bar Leone in Hong Kong wins first place