Diver Pandelela Puts On A Classy Display To Bag Silver At The Universiade

PETALING JAYA: Diver Pandelela Rinong put on a classy show to end the country’s wait for a medal at the World University Games (Univer­siade) at Shenzhen Natatorium yesterday.

Pandelela served up one of her best performances in the women’s 10m platform individual to secure the silver and in the process, emerging as the first Malaysian diver to make the podium at the Universiade.

Pandelela chalked 381.75 points to finish second with Mexico’s Paola Espinosa, the world champion in 2009, taking the gold just ahead at 385.25 points.

It could have been gold for Malaysia but a second dive was not properly executed and Pandelela notched 65.25 to slip to fifth.

But Pandelela came back strongly by scoring the highest marks in the field for her third (78.40) and fourth (84.80) dives to move into silver medal position.

Strong show: Pandelela Rinong became the first Malaysian diver to win a medal at the World University Games in Shenzen yesterday.

Pandelela confirmed the silver with 76.80 to bring cheers to the Malaysian contingent after six days of competition so far.

China’s Wang Xin, who partnered Chen Ruolin to the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, fought back to take bronze with 370.55 points.

Ruolin, the reigning world champion, pulled out of the event at the eleventh hour but is expected to be in action in the women’s 10m platform synchro with Wang Xin today.

Pandelela, who had qualified early for the London Olympics in the same discipline at the World Championships in Shanghai last month, was thrilled to win the first medal for Malaysia.

Pandelela had qualified for the final with the second highest marks (356.30) behind Espinosa (366.60), the bronze medallist at the world meet last month.

The 19-year-old Sarawakian was the third best finisher in the preliminaries in the morning (329.15) behind Wang Xin (334.50) and Espinosa (347.60).

“I did not expect to win a medal as I thought it will be tough as most of the divers who took part at the world championships stayed back in China to prepare for this competition.

“This is the best scores I’ve attained in a major competition so far.

“I improved on my scores at each stage until the final and it gives me confidence to look forward to tomorrow’s platform synchro.

“I hope we can get another medal tomorrow,” said the reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the 10m platform.

Pandelela will partner Leong Mun Yee for the women’s 10m platform synchro today while Ahmad Amsyar and Fakhrul Izzat will dive in the men’s 1m springboard individual.