Jun Hoong Finally Lands Elusive Springboard Goal Medal After Eight Years, Wendy Takes Silver

Proud: Malaysia’s Cheong Jun Hoong (right) and Ng Yan Yee posing with their gold and silver medals after the women’s 3m springboard event at the Jakabaring Aquatic Centre in Palembang

PALEMBANG: Diver Cheong Jun Hoong finally captured the gold medal that has eluded Malaysia for the last eight years as she led team-mate Wendy Ng to a glorious one-two in the women’s 3m springboard final at the Jakabaring Aquatic Centre yesterday.

Jun Hoong swept through the five-dive routine to finish in style with 310.70 points for her first individual success at the Games.

Wendy, who partnered Leong Mun Yee to gold in the women’s 10m platform synchronised on Sunday, settled for silver with 290.10 points.

Indonesia’s Sari Ambarwati took bronze on 270.60.

Jun Hoong in action en route to the gold medal.

Wendy could have snatched the gold but she blew her chance after a poor twist rotation in the third dive.

Malaysia last captured the women’s 3m springboard individual title through Mun Yee at the Hanoi Games in 2003.

Filipina Sheila Mae Perez won the event in Manila 2005 and successfully retained it in Korat two years later. Vietnamese diver Tranh Tra Hoang was crowned champion in Laos 2009.

But it was Jun Hoong’s turn to bask in the limelight as challengers Sheila and Tra Hoang finished only fourth and sixth respectively this time.

Jun Hoong was not satisfied with her performance despite earning a breakthrough for Malaysia in the discipline after three failed attempts.

“I still need to improve on my technique and consistency,” said the 21-year-old from Ipoh.

“I need to score better marks to compete at higher levels. I’m still happy, however, as I managed to handle the pressure well.

“We have not won the 3m springboard gold for a long time and the coach was aiming to take it back from these Games.”

Jun Hoong has won two gold medals in previous SEA Games but from the synchronised events.

She won her first with Mun Yee in the 10m platform synchronised in her debut in Manila and again, with Pandelela Rinong, in Laos.