KUALA LUMPUR — The expertise of local diving coaches continues to gain international recognition, with former technical director of the national diving team, Bryan Nickson Lomas, being lured by an offer from an Asian country.
Bryan’s resignation from his role as technical director comes just a week after former national women’s diver Wendy Ng was appointed talent development coach for the Singapore national diving team.
Bryan confirmed he left the national team on January 22 to further advance his coaching career.
“Yes, I have left the national diving team. I received the offer last December, but I can’t reveal the country just yet. What I can share is that it is an Asian country, and I will update you on any developments in due course,” he told Bernama.
At 34, Bryan made waves in the sport when he became the second youngest athlete in the world to compete at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was also crowned the world junior champion that same year.
After retiring in 2015, Bryan began his coaching career as a part-time coach for the Selangor state team before moving to the Middle East, where he became an instructor at the Kazma Diving Club in Kuwait. He was later appointed technical director of the national diving team in October 2023.
Reflecting on his most memorable moment with the national team, Bryan mentioned the achievement of young diver Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohamad Nazim, who ended Malaysia’s 18-year medal drought by winning a bronze at the 2024 World Junior Diving Championships. Nurqayyum clinched the bronze in the men’s 3m springboard event (16-18 years).
“Although it wasn’t gold or silver, the bronze medal was highly significant as Malaysia hadn’t won a medal at the World Junior Championships for such a long time,” he said.
Looking ahead, Bryan expressed confidence that Malaysia Swimming (MS) would find a suitable successor to lead the national squad, which he believes has the potential to achieve even greater success in the future. – January 30, 2025