Pandelela dreams gold, despite training woes
KUALA LUMPUR: As the preparations for the Tokyo Olympics are interrupted by the current of Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysian diving queen Pandelela Rinong felt winning a gold medal is not a realistic target.
The 27-year-old Kuching born admitted that though it's her hope and dream to clinch an Olympic gold, but a silver or bronze will look more realistic considering the current situation which has affected the training schedules and oversea exposures.
Pandelela, who was the firstever Malaysian diver to win an Olympic medal when she bagged bronze at the 2012 London Games, explained that the Movement Control Order (MCO) and strict standard operating procedures (SOP) have resulted in the reduction of her two-time training sessions daily to one.
“To be honest if I want to compare with preparations for the previous Olympics, the training is just not enough. There are so many things affected (due to the Movement Control Order) not just training as it is only five months away. But we will see how it goes and pray for the best.
“Preparations could have been better but for now we have to adhere to strict SOPs. Hopefully we will be able to perform well in the two major competitions (Diving World Cup in April and Olympics in July),” she told Bernama.
Nevertheless, Pandelela who won silver in the 10m synchronized platform with Cheong Jun Hoong at the 2016 Rio Olympics, promised to work her level best to compete and perform consistently in her upcoming tournaments.
The FINA Diving World Cup in Tokyo scheduled for April 1823, is now the first international competition for the year but it is subject to change as Japan had extended its border restrictions until March 7.