It’s her platform
Pandelela wants gold to be Malaysia’s most successful diver
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong has two good chances to strike gold at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, next month.
Pandelela is just hoping her entry into the water will not fail her as she bids to strengthen her status as the most successful Malaysian diver in Commonwealth Games history.
At 25, Pandelela already has four medals, including one gold, from two previous outings. Pandelela was only 18 when she made a golden debut to win the women’s 10m platform individual title in the 2010 edition in New Delhi, India.
She also partnered Leong Mun Yee to take silver in the 10m platform synchro.
In Glasgow, Scotland, four years ago, she narrowly missed out on a successful defence of the 10m platform individual title to settle for a silver.
The Sarawakborn diver secured bronze in the 10m plat
form synchro with Nur Dhabitah Sabri.
Pandelela wants to maintain her 100% record in the platform discipline in Gold Coast.
“I’m progressing to peak in the Commonwealth Games. I don’t want any problem being consistent but what I need to improve on is my entry.
“I hope to execute clean dives and if I can do it, I have a very good chance to be on top.
“My worry is staying clear of serious injuries.
“There are minor ones but it’s taken care with good treatment from the National Sports Institute,” said Pandelela, who won the Australian Grand Prix gold medal in 10m platform individual in her last visit to Gold Coast.
Pandelela will partner Cheong Jun Hoong in the 10m platform synchro on the first day of competition on April 11 where they stand a bright chance to deliver gold.
They are the reigning Olympic silver and World Championships bronze medallists.
“There were plans to increase my degree of difficulty (DD) but it has been put on hold as there is not enough time to train for them.
“I will stick to my usual dive routines,” added the twotime Olympic medallist.
The women’s diving team will leave for Gold Coast on April 5.