Coach sacked in the name of sports science
Published on: Friday, December 22, 2017
KUALA LUMPUR: He already has a proven tracked record of being a "kingmaker" but because "Yang Zhuliang is old school in his techniques, we need to replace him," said National Sports Institute (NSI) Chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Zabidi on the main reason to not renewing the China born contract.Despite producing a world champion and several Olympic medallists, diving head coach Yang Zhuliang has been shown the exit while Abdul Azim has solid grounds to believe that Malaysian sports, especially diving, need to practise sports science to make new inroads, securing a gold medal in the Olympics."The decision was made based on discussion of NSI and Asum (Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia) since three of four months back.ADVERTISEMENT "This is because Zhuliang prefers to apply the old school kind of techniques still whereas we need to enhance performance through sports science."We also discussed the matter with the divers and they agreed to change their coach," he told a special media session.Abdul Azim also added that the 53-year-old coach indeed produced world champions and Olympians but differed in that Malaysia needs to be on par with other countries by starting to institute sports science in its training regimen."We already have his replacement and the new coach is not from the Asian continent.ADVERTISEMENT "If everything goes well, the new coach will arrive next month. In the meantime while waiting, his assistant coach Zhang Yukun will take temporary charge."Yukun however will remain as the deputy head coach to assist the new coach next year as the China-born can accept the sports science," he added.
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Zhuliang's contract has not been renewed and he will be leaving Malaysia by Dec 31.In expressing his feeling, Zhuliang revealed that NSI and Asum never discussed the matter with him."The National Sports Council director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail offered me to stay by coaching the juniors."But I prefer to go back to my country and taking care of my aged parents (both in late 90s). That would be much more better," said Zhuliang.For the record, Zhuliang arrived in 2001 and a year later, guided Yeoh Ken Nee and Leong Mun Yee to three bronze medals at the Busan Asian Games before helping Bryan Nickson Lomas win the platform title at the World Junior Championships in Brazil in 2004.He left for Australia after guiding the divers to the overall title at the 2005 Manila SEA Games.Zhuliang then returned in 2008 and guided Pandelela Rinong-Mun Yee pair to a historic bronze medal at the world meet in Rome the following year.Malaysia has since made the podium two more times in Rome in 2013 (Pandelela-Mun Yee) and in Kazan in 2015 (Pandelela) before the historic win from Cheong Jun Hoong in the women's 10m platform individual in Budapest, Hungary, this year.Pandelela aslo made history with a bronze in the individual platform at the London Olympics in 2012.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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She the partnered Jun Hoong to a silver medal in the platform synchro at the Rio Olympics last year.Malaysia has also produced winners at the Commonwealth Games through Pandelela (women's 10m platform individual in New Delhi in 2010) and Ooi Tze Liang (men's 3m springboard individual in Glasgow in 2014).