Bronze finish for duo

Pandelela RinongCheong Jun Hoong produced another superb performance for a podium finish yesterday in the second leg of the World Diving Series in Guangzhou, China.

The Malaysian duo, who won silver in the first leg in Beijing last week, scored a total of 332.46 points for the bronze medal in the women’s 10m platform synchro.

The Rio Olympic Games silver medallists could have won their second silver but two low scoring dives in the end allowed North Korea’s Kim Kuk Hyang-Kim Mi Rae to overtake them.

China’s Ren Qian-Chang Yani, as expected, claimed the gold with 347.82 points.

Malaysia are now level with North Korea on the overall standings with 45 points after two podium finishes.

Favourites China lead the eight-nation standings on 54 points.

National coach Yang Zhuliang, when contacted, said: “The performance today (yesterday) is better compared to the first leg in Beijing where they only scored 316.08.

“The North Koreans executed a very clean final attempt to deny us the silver.

“The North Korean pair may be new but I think they are a threat to us in the coming events.”

The remaining legs of the Diving Series after Guangzhou will be in Kazan, Russia on March 31April 2 and Windsor, Canada on April 21-23.