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Pandelela to compete in three events at London Games

PETALING JAYA: Diver Pandelela Rinong is not just among the youngest of the Malaysian athletes bound for the London Olympics — she has the most daunting task ahead of her as well.

The 19-year-old National Sportswoman of the Year has got the nod from head coach Yang Zhuliang to compete in three events in her second Olympic appearance.

Besides the 10m platform individual and synchro, where she combines with regular partner Leong Mun Yee, Pandelela is also joining forces with Cheong Jun Hoong for the 3m springboard synchro.

Tough task: Pandelela Rinong will be the only Malaysian diver to participate in three events at the London Olympics.
 
The Olympic Council of Malaysia met yesterday to finalise the names of athletes who have already earned Olympic quota spots for the country from eight sports so far.

Pandelela, runner-up in the prestigious four-leg World Diving Series recently, will be the only Malaysian down for three events and she definitely needs to be mentally as well as physically strong for the challenge.

Zhuliang said he has no choice but to put Pandelela, who also won the Canadian Open gold medal in the individual platform earlier this month, down for three events.

“No diver does three events at the Olympics but there is no one else as capable as Pandelela. We also took the schedule into account.

“She not only has a chance to do well in the 10m platform individual and synchro but there is also the possibility of her partnership with Jun Hoong succeeding in the 3m springboard.
“They finished sixth in the London World Cup in February to earn a place for Malaysia at the Olympics despite that being their first outing together.

“There is a chance for a medal if they perform well at the Games. They are putting in equal focus in training for the synchro as well in China now.

“Before this, Pandelela didn’t even train for the synchro but did well in the World Cup. That’s why I’m optimistic they can do better,” said Zhuliang, who was instrumental in Malaysia having their biggest team of nine divers for the Olympics.

Also in Pandelela’s favour is the schedule for the diving competition from July 29 to Aug 11.
Pandelela and Jun Hoong will be the first to see action in the 3m springboard synchro on July 29. She then returns to the pool with Mun Yee for the 10m platform synchro two days later.

“The final for the synchro events is held straight away with eight pairs competing and the schedule is not tiring for her.

“Pandelela has a one week break after that as she will only return to action for the preliminary round of the individual 10m platform on Aug 8,” Zhuliang said.




THE STAR

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