Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: After a brief delay, Tokyo finally managed to host the FINA Diving World Cup (May 1-6), which also served as a qualifier and test run for this year’s Olympic Games. Egypt’s Ishaq Mohab put on an impressive performance, reaching the semifinals.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t qualify for the final,” he told Arab News Japan. “But I qualified for the semifinals, which no one from Egypt has done. I am flattered that I could be the one to do it. I was practicing so hard for this and I am just so happy that I could do that.

“In the semifinals, I was hoping for a better result than in the prelims but I missed my dives. I missed my first dive and I didn’t hope for that, but it’s fine. I came here for the experience.”

The experience wasn’t quite what the athletes had hoped for. The event was run on a “bubble” system, which meant the athletes and staff couldn’t go anywhere except the venue and the hotel, so they didn’t see much of Tokyo or Japan.

“This is my first time in Japan and I was hoping to go out and see Japan itself or Tokyo, but because of what’s been happening in the world, I couldn’t,” Mohab said. “But I am looking at the positive side and I am thankful that we are able now to travel and compete, and even come to Tokyo right before the Olympics.”

The other downside was the lack of spectators. The brand new Olympic Pool remained empty of spectators and created a hollow atmosphere for the competitors.

“It’s the same for every athlete of course, but it’s devastating because you know when you have your team meets you have everyone cheering for you and this makes a difference in your performance,” Mohab said. “Now, I am going to head back home and prepare myself for the Olympics because it is pretty soon, so I have a lot to do back home.”

The event was held at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre with the participants of 235 athletes from 46 countries.