Veteran diver Mun Yee ready to rock in Jakarta
PETALING JAYA: When it comes to multi-sport Games, no national athlete can brag about having more appearances than national woman diver Leong Mun Yee.
The 33-year-old has competed in five Olympics, five Commonwealth Games, 11 SEA Games and is poised for her fifth Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, from Aug 18-Sept 2.
Mun Yee aims for podium finishes as she knows that having impressive statistics alone is not enough.
She has done well – winning a bronze at the 2002 Busan Games, followed by two silvers (2010 Guangzhou), two bronzes (2006 Doha) and one bronze (2014 Incheon).
And Mun Yee is still highly motivated after winning two bronze medals at last month’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
“I can’t wait to go to Jakarta for my fifth Asian Games as I’m in tip-top condition,” said Mun Yee.
“The two bronze medals I won in Gold Coast last month have boosted my confidence. It made me realise that things are possible if you try really hard.
“I still train hard like I did 10 years ago, there’s never a day that I’ve slowed down. I try to stay away from injuries.
“Due to my age, my recovery is slower and I need to take good care of my body.
“I still have plenty to offer. So, it will be nice if I can come back with another medal from Jakarta.”
There is only one snag for Mun Yee. The return of Wendy Ng Yan Yee from doping suspension, however, could jeopardise her plan.
Mun Yee had earlier replaced Wendy and teamed up with Nur Dhabitah Sabri en route to two bronze medals in Gold Coast.
A nation can only field one pair in the Asiad.
Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong are inseparable for the platform synchro discipline, so Mun Yee is left to fight for a spot in the springboard synchro with Dhabitah and Wendy.
“I don’t know if the coach wants me to continue partnering Bitah (Dhabitah) for the Asian Games but I’m hopeful,” she said.
“I have a chance of winning a medal in the synchro event. It all depends on how coach (Zhang Yukun) decides.”