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Pandelela on course for another medal in Edinburgh

In-form: Pandelela Rinong scored a total of 366.90 points in the women’s individual 10m platform preliminaries at the third leg of the FINA Diving World Series in Edinburgh, Scotland, yesterday. In-form: Pandelela Rinong scored a total of 366.90 points in the women’s individual 10m platform preliminaries at the third leg of the FINA Diving World Series in Edinburgh, Scotland, yesterday.
 
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could achieve their best-ever outing in the FINA Diving World Series after Pandelela Rinong raised hopes of another medal finish with a strong performance in the women’s individual 10m platform preliminaries at the third leg in Edinburgh, Scotland, yesterday.

The London Olympic bronze medallist confidently strode into the final after winning semi-final B.
The 20-year-old Sarawakian, the two-time national Sportswoman of the Year, performed well in all her five attempts to garner 366.90 points. It was her highest score since she returned to action this year.
Russia’s Yulia Koltunova (349.55) and Mexico’s Alejandra Orozco (339.25) made up the top three standings to advance to the top-six final.

China’s second stringers Liu Huixia (373.50) and Si Yajie (371.05) finished first and second respectively in semi-final A. Also making the final six is Britain’s Tonia Couch (356.00). Olympic silver medallist Brittany Broben of Australia exited the competition after finishing last with 327.45 points.

If Pandelela can improve further on her performance, she may even stand a chance of grabbing her first-ever gold in the series as reigning Olympic and world champion Chen Ruolin of China and Meaghan Benfeito of Canada are not competing. Ruolin and Benfeito were the gold and silver medallist respectively in the first two legs in Beijing and Dubai last month.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia secretary Edwin Chong said Pandelela should be able to win her second medal in Edinburgh.

Pandelela partnered Leong Mun Yee to win the silver in the 10m platform synchro on Friday. Malaysia earned their second medal after Cheong Jun Hoong-Wendy Ng Yan Yee clinched the bronze in the 3m springboard synchro.

“Pandelela won a bronze in Beijing but she finished fifth in Dubai. We hope she can finish well on the podium this time as it will be a good reflection of her chances in the World Championships in Barcelona in July.

“The Chinese divers have always dominated the platform event in the series and we hope for a major breakthrough,” said Edwin.



LIM TEIK HUAT - THE STAR

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