Injured diver unable to complete routines

GUANGZHOU – Philippine aquatic sports president Mark Joseph said yesterday Ryan Fabriga injured his shoulder and tricep, disallowing the Phl 10m synchronized diving duo that included Jaime Asok to finish their routines in their event at the Aoti Aquatics Center Monday.

Joseph said Fabriga was taken to the hospital and they’re awaiting results of tests on whether the Filipino diver is healthy enough to compete in the 10m platform solo dives.

“Ryan Fabriga and Jaime Asok were performing well. Until the third dive, they were ranking third overall,” said Joseph.

The POC secretariat said Fabriga figured in a vehicular accident with his coach on the way to the competition venue. He decided to proceed to the venue instead of seeking medical help.

At the same time, Joseph denied claims by Filipino divers that they didn’t get enough training due to, among others, lack of water in the pool or the water being infested by dead frogs.

“Diving training occurs in and out of the pool. Our divers have a world-class indoor diving pool, diving boards and an indoor dry-land diving gym complete with diving boards, trampolines, spotting belts and simulation rigs,” said Joseph.

“Instead of diving into water, they dive into sponge filled fits. This allows their coaches to spot the divers and give them immediate feedback. This specialized training equipment is available at Trace College for our divers,” Joseph added.

Joseph said the Filipino divers didn’t get the chance to train in China prior to the Guangzhou Asiad since China “closed its doors to Philippine divers in 2009 and 2010.”

“The reason for this was because ex-PSC chairman Harry Angping refused to pay the PSC’s dues to the Xian Training Center for the divers’ pre-Beijing Olympics training stint,” said Joseph.

“While the amount was allocated by the PSC board and covered by an approved PSC board resolution, Angping refused to pay the bill,” Joseph added.

The aquatics sports head said they instead hired Chinese coach Zhang Dehu to come to the Philippines for a pre-Asian Games late-phase training camp.

Meanwhile, the Phl duo of Niño Carog and Zardo Domenios finished fifth in a field of eight in the men’s synchronized 3m springboard.

Luo Yutong and Qin Kai topped the event as the Chinese continued to dominate, cornering all four events disputed in diving so far.

Carog and Domenios performed better than bets from Iran, Hong Kong and Kuwait.