WENDY TO MARK RETURN FROM DOPING BAN IN WUHAN

Wendy’s return a boost for Malaysia in Diving World Series

The return of Wendy Ng Yan Yee (pic) to competitive action should boost Malaysia’s hopes of a strong outing at the FINA Diving World Series in Wuhan, China, from June 5-10.

Wendy tested positive for sibutramine, a substance commonly found in slimming products, at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year and had to return the two gold medals she won (in the 3m springboard individual and synchro with Nur Dhabitah Sabri).

The KL-born diver served out an eight-month ban for her doping violation and has been training with the rest of the national team members in Guangzhou, China since the beginning of the month.

Rio Olympics finalist Wendy is set to renew her partnership with Dhabitah in the 3m springboard synchro.

Both have been entered for the 3m springboard individual event as well.

The nation’s brightest hope for a medal should come from Pandelela Rinong-Cheong Jun Hoong in the women’s 10m platform synchro event where they will be fighting with China’s Zhang Minjie-Zhang Jiaqi, Canadians Meaghan BenfeitoCaeli McKay and Mexicans Alejandra OrozcoGabriela Agundez Garcia.

North Korea will debut an untested combination of Kim Kwang-hui-Kim Mi-hwa in place of their top pairing Kim Mi-rae-Kim Kuk-hyang.

Diving coach Zhang Yukun said Pandelela and Jun Hoong will also compete in the 10m platform individual but it will be harder for them to shine with the likes of China’s Ren Qian – the reigning Olympic champion – and Zhang Jiaqi competing.

Australia will also field newcomers Teju Williamson and Emily Meaney as they rest newly-crowned Gold Coast Commonwealth Games winner Melissa Wu.

“I think Pandelela-Jun Hoong have a better chance to fight for a medal in the 10m platform synchro.

“They have been consistent in all four legs of the Diving World Series and they also claimed the gold at the Commonwealth Games last month.

“Wendy-Dhabitah also have a chance in the 3m springboard synchro but we are not putting pressure on them.

“Wendy has to get her confidence back again after not going for competitions for sometime.

“The medal chances should come from the women’s side as the men’s are still trying to find their footing,” said Yukun.

Jellson Jabillin will partner Leong Mun Yee for the 10m platform mixed synchro event while Dhabitah will combine with Muhd Syafiq Puteh for the 3m springboard mixed synchro event.

Jellson and fellow youngster Hanis Nazirul Jaya Surya will compete in the men’s 10m platform synchro while Ooi Tze Liang will join forces with Chew Yiwei for the 3m springboard synchro.

Tze Liang will also dive in the 3m springboard and 10m platform individual events.

Huang Qiang-Bryan Nickson Lomas made history by winning Malaysia’s first medal at the Diving World Cup in London in 2012 – a bronze in the men’s 3m springboard synchro.

Mun Yee claimed the silver with Jun Hoong in the women’s 10m platform synchro at the 2014 edition in Shanghai, China. Pandelela-Jun Hoong repeated the feat in Rio de Janeiro two years ago.