Why Asok, Fabriga failed to finish dive

GUANGZHOU—There’s finally a story to diving’s DNF (did not finish) record in the 16th Asian Games here. 

Jaime Asok and Rexel Fabriga registered a DNF Monday afternoon during the men’s synchronized 10m platform event of diving at the Aoti Aquatics Center, leaving reporters puzzled as to how exactly does one not finish a dive. 

Turns out, the answer was serious. 

Asok and Fabriga were involved in a road accident on their way to the venue Monday when the bus they were riding rammed into a car. The collision and the hard brakes the bus driver applied forced passengers to lurch forward, causing the divers’ heads to whiplash. 

“I spoke to our medical team and they said that sometimes, the effects of whiplash don’t manifest right away,” said chief of mission Joey Romasanta. 

The divers, after a cursory self-check, were then herded to the venue for their competition. Asok and Fabriga did manage to perform three dives before feeling the pain. They pulled out from the rest of the competition. 

But the story isn’t quite done yet. 

Romasanta wants to know exactly why the divers were even allowed to continue without going through thorough medical examination first. He said he has questioned coach Lawrence Ifurong regading the incident. 

“I asked the coach to submit a report as to who made the decision to continue competing,” said Romasanta. “I hope to be able to get that report soon.” 

The divers underwent a magnetic resonance imaging test Tuesday to reveal the extent of the injuries. 

Meanwhile, Sheila Mae Perez kicks off her campaign in these Games when she participates in the final of the women’s 1-meter springboard. Nino Carog and Zardo Domenios also vie Wednesday in the men’s 1m springboard final. 

“I just hope to be able to do my best,” said Perez. “With our lack of preparation, the only way I can tell if I was successful or not will depend more on the performance and less on the finish.”