No big splash for Malaysia in China

PETALING JAYA: Inconsistency continued to plague Pandelela Rinong-Nur Dhabitah Sabri (pic) as they settled for fourth placing in the women’s 10m platform synchro final in the second leg of the FINA Diving World Series in Beijing, China.

The 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games bronze medallists were lying third with two dives to go but they did not execute the fourth attempt well.

Pandelela-Dhabitah scored 64.32 points in the fourth attempt and dropped one rung. The Malaysian pair remained there after chalking 71.04 for the final dive for a total of 305.76.

China’s new pair Lu Wei-Zhang Jiaqi, who won in the opening leg in Japan last week, continued to impress by winning with a total of 354.06 points.

South Korea’s Kim A-rim-Kim Mi-rae put up a stunning fight before settling for silver with 352.80 points while Canada’s Meaghan Benfeito-Caeli McKay secured the bronze with 313.14.

The 19-year-old Dhabitah was named as the replacement for 10m platform world champion Cheong Jun Hoong, who is still recovering from a knee surgery she underwent in August last year.

It is the second time Pandelela-Dhabitah missed out on a medal as they were fourth in the opening leg in Japan last week.

Pandelela will return to the pool tomorrow where she will be looking to make amends in the women’s 10m platform individual competition.