MUN YEE’S SEA GAMES SWANSONG
Much decorated Ipoh lass wants a splashing finale
LEONG Mun Yee is back in business after a long absence from diving meets. The 33-year-old is now on course for a 11th Sea Games appearance in Kuala Lumpur as she returned to competition after more than a year to win a silver medal in the Asian Diving Cup in Macau yesterday.
Mun Yee paired up with Sarawakian Traisy Vivian Tukiet for a five-dive total of 276.78 points to finish second in the women’s 10m platform synchro.
China grabbed the gold through Zhang Rui-Liu Xin, who garnered a 312.42 series, while Singapore’s Freida Lim-Myra Lee took third on 244.44.
Mun Yee’s promising return to competition since the Kazan leg of the World Series in April, last year, has now given national coach Yang Zhuliang more options to rotate his divers in the KL Sea Games in August.
A total of 13 events will be contested in the biennial games.
Zhuliang said Mun Yee showed composure and determination yesterday.
“I am happy with Mun Yee’s progress... she is ready for her 11th Sea Games outing,” said Zhuliang in Macau yesterday.
“Mun Yee and Traisy will definitely pair up to defend their platform synchro title in the KL edition. I am also looking at trying her out in the 3m springboard and 10m platform mixed team disciplines.
The Ipoh-born is one of the most decorated divers in Malaysia. She has won countless medals but never a gold in the World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
Mun Yee made her Sea Games debut in Jakarta in 1997 as a 13-year-old but did not win a title until 2001 in Kuala Lumpur where she made a clean sweep of four gold. She will be aiming for her 16th Sea Games title in KL.
“I have plans to retire and will make a decision after the Sea Games.
“This, however, will likely be my last Sea Games. I am looking forward to a memorable outing,” said Mun Yee in a recent interview.
Compatriot Nur Dhabitah Sabri continued her fine form in the Asian Cup with a bronze in the women’s 3m springboard individual final after amassing a 314.10 total in Macau
As expected China took the top two positions through gold medallist Xu Zhihuan (351.70) and silver medallist Qu Lin (324.55).
Chew Yiwei produced a decent effort for a bronze in the men’s 10m platform individual final after posting a 402.20 series.
China’s Xiaohu Tai won the event with 470.45 while compatriot Yang Ling finished second on 469.35.
In the 1m springboard final, Ooi Tze Liang finished third with 343.90 points behind China’s Liu Chengming (425.85) and Chen Linhai (410.10).
Malaysia have so far won four silver and five bronze in the Asian Cup.