Boon for Jun Hoong

Award fires up diver to perform better at world series

PETALING JAYA: Diver Cheong Jun Hoong (pic) rues not being able to pick up her Sportswoman of the Year Award in person.

The 27-year-old was away in Japan to prepare for the second leg of the Diving World Series which starts in Shizuoka today.

Nevertheless, the Ipoh-born diver who was the outright favourite following her World Championships triumph last year, is now feeling extra motivated after a mixed start to the season.

Jun Hoong started well in the women’s 10m platform synchro with Pandelela Rinong as they took silver in the first leg of the world series in Beijing last week.

But her reputation as world champion came under fire after she failed to reach the final of the individual 10m platform event, finishing fifth in the semi-finals.

Jun Hoong has, however, looked beyond it and is now eager to put up a better showing in the second leg, especially with the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next month in mind.

“I am really grateful to be honoured with the Sportswoman award. I need to thank the National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Institute (NSI) and everyone who have supported me so far,” said Jun Hoong.

“It is quite a dream to be awarded with the highest recognition for Malaysian sports and I believe all my hard work in the past is paying off.

“It is a shame though that I am unable to be back home to collect the award myself because I am still overseas for competition.

“I do hope though that I will rediscover my form following this award. It is a good motivation for me and I definitely hope to come back stronger to fight for medals at the Commonwealth Games,” added Jun Hoong.

Jun Hoong, who is the reigning Rio Olympic silver medallist with Pandelela, will once again start with the 10m platform synchro event before the individual 10m platform on Friday.

The other Malaysians in the fray are Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Leong Mun Yee.