Jun Hoong, Wendy In 1-2 finish in 3m Springboard (updated)

Cheong Jun Hoong and Wendy Ng (left) won the gold and silver respectively in the women's 3m springboard event at the SEA Games.

NAYPYITAW: One was relieved after her final dive while the other left the pool with tears in her eyes.

It was the women’s 3m springboard individual final and Cheong Jun Hoong successfully won the competition to hand Malaysia their first gold medal in diving at the Wunna Theikdi Aquatic Centre here.

But it could have been Wendy Ng’s day to celebrate if she had done better with her final attempt on Wednesday.

Wendy was leading from the start until the fourth dive but she only earned 63.00 for her last jump.

That was not enough to overtake Jun Hoong for the gold, leaving Wendy with silver and the consolation of making sure Malaysia had a one-two finish at the Myanmar SEA Games.

Jun Hoong was the first diver to jump in the field and she garnered 69.60 to end the competition with 327.15 points.

Wendy settled for silver with 323.10 points while Indonesia’s Eka Purna had the bronze with 240.35 points.

Jun Hoong was relieved to have won the event for the second straight SEA Games especially as she felt she had not been performing well in training since their arrival in Naypyitaw three days ago.

“Wendy’s lift-off was better and I had a minor problem after we arrived here.

“The pool here is cold and I am not used to adapting fast. So I was actually not so confident of my chances. My last dive was better though and I clinched it,” said 23-year-old Jun Hoong, who has been competing at the SEA Games level since 2003.

Jun Hoong only had kind words for Wendy.

“She was diving well today. I think she did a good job and I congratulated her after we finished the competition,” said Jun Hoong, who hails from Perak.

A teary-eyed Wendy was disappointed not to have nicked her first individual gold medal.

“I wanted to win my first individual gold badly as this was my third SEA Games appearance.

“I improved a lot in training in China before coming here. I was confident but I was just mentally not strong to get the gold. Maybe, it’s just not meant to be mine,” said the exasperated girl, who will have to get over her disappointment fast as she partners Jun Hoong on Friday for the women’s 3m springboard synchro event.