Elvis Priestley Anak Clement, an 18-year-old diver from Sarawak, has recently come into the spotlight, not just for his impressive diving prowess but also for his unique name. At the 2024 SUKMA Games, the diver made a splash by winning two gold medals – one in the men’s 3m springboard and another in the men’s 10m platform synchronised event, with diving partner Enrique Maccartney Harold. His minimal splash technique has even drawn comparisons to diving greats like Tom Daley and Chinese gold medallist Quan Hongchan.
However, it’s not just his athletic achievements that have people talking. Elvis’s name, which pays homage to the legendary rock and roll icon Elvis Presley, has sparked a flurry of comments online. His father, Clement Merom, revealed the story behind the name saying, “It was a friend’s idea. My father-in-law had already named my daughter Madonna, so when my son was born, a friend suggested I name him after Elvis Presley. I tweaked the spelling to Priestley because if I’d kept the original spelling, he might’ve ended up a singer instead of a diver!“
Growing up, Elvis showed a natural love for water, frequently accompanying his father to swimming training. This passion became evident during his first year of primary school when he eagerly brought home a letter from the Sarawak Sports Council seeking young athletes. His father signed it without much thought, only to discover it was an invitation to dive.
“Elvis showed a strong commitment to training, but it was tough to watch my son endure the intense routines. The training for diving is nothing like football or rugby. I’d know, because I play both sports. It was so intense that sometimes I cried watching him. His coach would tap his head or shoulder when he made mistakes, but I didn’t see it as abuse. It was for his own improvement,” Clement said about his son.
Elvis’s dedication has led him to the national diving program in Bukit Jalil, where he trains rigorously. His father, who used to drive him 45 minutes each day to the Pandelela Rinong Aquatics Centre, now sees his son only once or twice a year. “We hardly see him now. He comes home once or twice a year, and only stays for two or three days,” he shared.
As the diver sets his sights on the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, his family and fans eagerly anticipate his future. Many Malaysians are hopeful for another Olympic medalist from their country. Elvis’s mother, Stephanie Meresit, echoed this sentiment, expressing that qualifying for the Olympics would be the proudest moment of their lives.
With dreams of seeing his name flash across the screen at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Elvis Priestley Clement is not just diving into pools but also into the hearts of many, proving that sometimes, a name can be as impactful as the talent it represents.
Sources: NST Online, 8days
Melissa Royan contributed to this article.
