It’s all systems go
Pandelela-Jun Hoong get green light to compete at world meet
PETALING JAYA: Divers Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong have a chance to repeat their Rio Olympic performance at the World Aquatics Championships starting in Budapest, Hungary, tomorrow.
PandelelaJun Hoong were given the nod by head coach Yang Zhuliang to compete in the women’s 10m platform synchro after their first training session at the Danube Arena yesterday.
This is the same event that the duo splashed to a historic silver in Rio de Janeiro last August and it also turned out to be the first medal for the Malaysian contingent.
Pandelela will also be competing in the women’s 10m platform individual as she seeks to defend the bronze medal she won at the previous world meet in Kazan, Russia, in 2015.
Jun Hoong and Wendy Ng Yan Yee will dive in the women’s 1m springboard individual.
There were doubts earlier about Pandelela’s participation after an old right shoulder injury flared up at the final leg of the Diving World Series in Windsor, Canada, in April.
Zhuliang is adopting a relaxed approach to their participation in this year’s world meet.
“It is still an important meet to us but I cannot put too much pressure on them as some divers are carrying injuries.
“It may affect our chances at the next Olympics if they do not take care of their bodies.
“Divers cannot be in top form year in, year out. If we win a medal, it will be a bonus,” said the Chinese coach, adding that seasoned campaigner Leong Mun Yee will now compete in the mixed team event.
The longserving Mun Yee was earlier put on standby in case Pandelela was not able to partner Jun Hoong.
Wendy and Nur Dhabitah Sabri will also focus on the women’s 3m springboard individual and synchro events.
Malaysia have earned three podium finishes in the world meet so far.
Apart from Pandelela’s bronze in Russia 2015, Mun YeePandelela also took the bronze twice in the women’s 10m platform synchro in Rome 2009 and Barcelona 2013.