Four Divers Receive Incentives For Winning Medals At Universiade 2011

PUTRAJAYA, 12 SEPTEMBER, 2011: Four divers who won medals at the recently concluded World University Games (Universiade 2011) in Shenzhen, China received incentives from the Higher Education Ministry.

Pandelela Rinong, was the highest recipient with RM17,500 for winning a silver and two bronze medals from the women's 10m platform individual, synchronized and team events respectively.
   
Leong Mun Yee, winner of two bronze medals from the women's 10m platform synchronized diving and the team events received RM10,000.
   
Ng Yan Yee and Cheong Jun Hong who won a bronze medal each through the women's team event received RM2,500 each.
   
"I will save the money for a good cause and for my future," said Pandelela after receiving the incentive from Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin here today.
   
Diving was the only sport that contributed medals in the Universiade.
   

-Bernama

Mun Yee And Yan Yee Help Diving Team Secure Bronze Medal

 PETALING JAYA: National divers Leong Mun Yee-Wendy Ng Yan Yee finished fifth in the women’s 3m springboard synchro final at the World University Games (Univer­siade) but there was still joy for Malaysia as a third medal was pocketed in Shenzhen.

Mun Yee-Wendy’s fifth place finish was enough for Malaysia to secure the bronze in the women’s team event.

The podium positions for the women’s team were based on the points earned from the performances of the divers in the three individual and two synchro disciplines.

Good enough: Leong Mun Yee (left) and Wendy Ng Yan Yee finished fifth in the 3m springboard synchro.

Only the scores during the preliminary rounds counted towards determining the placings and Malaysia garnered third placing with 2336.23 points behind United States, who amassed 2373.03 points.

China won the gold comfortably with a total of 2674.18 points.

Mun Yee-Wendy needed to overtake the American pair of Bianca Alvarez-Carrie Dragland by 17 points or more to snatch the silver medal for the team. However, the Malaysian pair could only manage a total of 272.40 points in the end as the Americans took the bronze instead with 292.50 points.

Ukraine’s Olena Federova-Anna Pysmenka had the silver with 301.50 points while China’s He Zi-Wang Han romped to the gold with 334.20 points.

It was the third medal for Malaysian contingent at the Universiade with the Games coming to a close today.

Pandelela Rinong won the first medal when she finished with silver in the women’s 10m platform individual last Thursday and she went on to partner Mun Yee for the bronze in the 10m platform synchro the following day.

All the medals came from diving and head coach Yang Zhuliang was satisfied with the overall performance of the women divers.

“This is the first participation of the diving team at the Universiade and we are happy to contribute three medals.

“We missed out on the gold as Pandelela was just three points behind the Mexican diver (Paola) Espinosa at the end of the 10m platform individual competition.

“But I’m still happy as she has proved to be consistent now after finishing fifth in the World Championships in Shanghai last month,” he said.

Malaysia finished sixth in the men’s team event with 2533.38 points.

The one silver and two bronze medals have assured the Malaysian contingent their best ever result in their participation at the Universiade.

Previously, the best achievement was in the 2007 edition in Bangkok when Che Chew Chan won a silver in women’s taekwondo.

National shooter Nur Ayuni Farhana finished out of the podium in the women’s 50m rifle three-position final and thus the shooting team will return home without achieving their target of contributing a medal.

Chen Hon Kit will be the final Malaysian in action today when he competes in the men’s below 63kg taekwondo event. He will find it tough to reach the medal rounds as South Korean favourite Jang Min-ho in the same half of the draw.

World University Games: Duo Secure Bronze

Divers Leong Mun Yee (left) and Ng Yanyee in action in the women’s 3m synchronised event at the World University Games yesterday.

A FIFTH place finish by national divers Leong Mun Yee and Ng Yanyee in the women's 3m synchronised event yesterday helped Malaysia clinch the bronze medal in the women's team event at the World University Games (Universiade), Shenzhen.Mun Yee-Yanyee, who managed scores of 46.80, 38.40, 62.10, 63.90 and 61.20 for a 272.10 total at the Shenzhen Natatorium, failed to win a medal in their event.

Their mid-table performance, however, helped Malaysia secure third place in the women's team event with 2,336.23 points as a major slip-up could have seen them overtaken by fourth placed Ukraine (2,231.81).

China (2,674) took gold while the United States (2,373.03) finished in second place.
"It was a decent rather than superb performance from us today (yesterday) but we are happy to help the team win the bronze," said Mun Yee.

"Considering the lack of preparation we had for this event and the pressure of competing last, it was also a relief to be able to do it," added Mun Yee.

National diving coach Yang Zhulian said he was pleased with his charges performances at the Games which comes to a close today.

"Actually, we were not aware there was going to be a team event here but I am happy everyone did well and contributed to winning the bronze," said Zhulian.

"With a little more luck in some of the events, we could maybe have got ahead of the United States and won the silver, but unfortunately they (United States) were in good form today (yesterday)."

The men's team, who were at a disadvantage as they did not have a pair competing in the 10m synchronised event, finished sixth with 2,553.38 points.

China were again winners with 3,718.46 points while Ukraine (3,239.83) and Russia (3,239.69) took silver and bronze respectively.

The national diving team contributed all three of the medals won by Malaysia at the Games.

Besides the women's team bronze medal, they also took silver in the women's 10m platform event through Pandelela Rinong and the women's 10m platform synchronised event through Pandelela-Mun Yee.


Read more: World University Games: Duo secure bronze http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/kp_k_wd__we/Article#ixzz1VodyrNom

World University Games: Bryan Eyes 500-point Mark

Bryan Nickson Lomas in action in the 10m platform final yesterday.

BRYAN Nickson Lomas' World University Games campaign ended with a sixth-place finish in the men's 10m platform final yesterday.Bryan took some time to warm up with scores of 68.80, 72.60 and 75.90 in his first three dives before surging to 89.25, 94.35 and 86.40 in his last three attempts for a total score of 487.30.

Bryan, who has qualified for the London Olympics in the 3m springboard, said he was content with his performance in the final but admitted there was work to be done if he was to be more competitive.

"I managed to do better in the final compared to my scores in the semi-finals and and preliminaries earlier today (yesterday) but I feel I still have room to improve," said Bryan.
"My first three dives were a bit disappointing but luckily I managed to improve my scores in the last three (dives).

"The five other divers who finished above me in the final were also finalists at the World Championships last month so competition was tight here. I need to keep on working hard and try to crack the 500-point mark if I am to challenge for a top three place in the future," added the Sarawakian.

Teammate Pardika Indoma, who surprised the field to qualify for the final, drew praise from national diving coach Yang Zhuliang despite finishing in last place in the 12-man final with 387.10 points.

"This is a good result from him. We were not expecting him to do so well in a world class event," said Zhuliang.

China's Wu Jun took the gold medal while Russia's Victor Minibaez and Mexico's Rommel Pacheco finished second and third respectively.


Read more: World University Games: Bryan eyes 500-point mark http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/41fadhfinn/Article#ixzz1VjMFb0zu

No Podium Finish For Bryan In Shenzen

PETALING JAYA: National diver Bryan Nikson Lomas failed in his bid to make the podium in his first participation at the World University Games (Universiade) in Shenzhen yesterday.

Bryan managed a sixth place finish in the men’s individual 10m platform final after collecting 487.30 points.

Despite this, it was still a creditable display from Bryan as the men’s platform was keen contested with Mexican Pacheco Rommel taking the bronze medal just ahead on 492.05 points.

China’s Wu Jin stole the show as he took the gold with 537.00 points ahead of Victor Minibaev of Russia (528.00).

The favourite, Huo Liang, who was the silver medallist at the Guangzhou Asian Games last year, settled for fourth with 488.30 points.

The second Malaysian diver, Pardika Indoma, also made the final but finished last in 12th place with 387.10 points.

Bryan reached the final after finishing fifth best in the semi-finals earlier with 472.80 points.

The 21-year-old Sarawakian was not disappointed with his performance, however.

“The standards were quite close between the top six finishers. It is very competitive in the men’s platform and I’m happy I tried my best.

“I did well in the last three dives but in a major competition, anything fewer than 500 points and one can forget about a podium finish,” said Bryan, who has qualified for next year’s London Olympics in the men’s 3m springboard individual.

Malaysia will wrap up the campaign in diving today when Leong Mun Yee partners Wendy Ng Yan Yee for the women’s 3m springboard synchro event.

Malaysia have won two medals at the Universiade so far and both are from diving.

Pandelela Rinong won the first medal when she won the silver in the women’s 10m platform individual last Thursday and she teamed up with Mun Yee for the bronze in the 10m platform synchro the following day.

Lai Kwan Satisfied With Result

AFTER a slow start by the national swimers at the World University Games (Universiade), Chui Lai Kwan managed to better her own national record on the final day of swimming yesterday.
Lai Kwan clocked 26.02 seconds in the women's 50m freestyle at the Universiade Aquatic Centre to better her own previous national by 0.01s, set at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last year.

The result, however, was not enough to propel her into the final as she clocked the 12 fastest time in the 42-swimmer field.

"I am quite happy with my result as I was not too confident of breaking the record going into the event," said Lai Kwan, 21.
Leung Chii Lin, however, finished 29th in the same event with a time of 27.10s.

In the men's 1,500m, Kevin Yeap clocked 15 minutes 52.29 to finish 11th overall in what was a season's best time.


Read more: Lai Kwan satisfied with result http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/klkowdkl_w/Article/index_html#ixzz1VjPruNx0

Pandelela, Mun Yee Clinch Bronze

DESPITE the burden of high expectations on their shoulders, national divers Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee kept their cool to hand Malaysia their second medal at the World University Games (Universiade) by finishing third in the women's 10m synchronised event yesterday.
The duo racked up scores of 48.00, 50.40, 62.10, 73.92 and 82.56 for a 316.98 total at the Shenzhen Natatorium to clinch the bronze, which saw China's Wang Xin-Chen Ruolin (349.98) and Mexico's Paola Espinosa-Tatiana Ortiz (330.48) win the gold and silver respectively.

Despite the result, Mun Yee felt she could have produced a better performance.

"I am really happy to win the bronze here, especially as this is my first time competing at the Games," said Mun Yee.
"I felt I could have done better, especially on the third dive, but I guess that is all we could manage," added Mun Yee, whose entry on the duo's third attempt was slightly mistimed

"We just focused on our own performance without looking at what the others had scored and managed to do quite well," said Pandelela, who won Malaysia's first medal at the Universiade by clinching silver in the women's 10m platform event on Thursday.

The duo said they would now focus on preparing for the FINA Diving World Cup in London next February which is their last chance to qualify for the London Olympics as a pair. Pandelela has already qualified for the Olympics 10m platform individual event.

Today will see Ng Yan Yee and Cheong Jun Hoong compete in the women's 3m springboard event.


Read more: Pandelela, Mun Yee clinch bronze http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/opkjekl_e/Article/index_html#ixzz1VjP53Xpd

A Bronze From Diving Pandelela–Mun Yee

PETALING JAYA: Not even a sudden battle cry from an enthusiastic supporter could stop the Malaysian diving pair of Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee from winning the bronze medal in the World University Games (Universiade) women’s 10m platform synchro final at the Shenzhen Notatarium in China yesterday.

Pandelela and Mun Yee made a jittery start as they languished in fourth spot with two dives to go.

Then there was a sudden shout of ‘Malaysia Boleh’ just as the pair were timing themselves up to leap from the board for the third dive.

Pandelela-Mun Yee, however, did not flinch and kept their nerves in check to pull themselves back into medal contention with a 73.92 score.

Dynamic duo: Pandelela Rinong (left) and Leong Mun Yee recovered from a jittery start to finish third in the women’s 10m platform synchro event yesterday

The Malaysian pair did not disappoint as they earned 82.56 for their fifth and final attempt to bag the bronze with a total of 316.98 points.

It was the second medal for Malaysia at the Universiade after Pandelela grabbed a silver in the women’s 10m platform individual event on Thursday.

China’s Chen Ruolin-Wang Xin, the gold medallists in the same discipline at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, stepped up in the last two dives to win the competition with 349.98 points.

2009 world champion Paola Espinosa earned her second medal for Mexico as she partnered Tatiana Ortiz to the silver with 330.48 points.

Espinosa had won the individual gold medal on Thursday.

With two medals in the bag, Malaysia are now assured of their best ever finish at the Universiade. Their previous best result was in Bangkok four years ago when Che Chew Chan won a silver in women’s taekwondo.

Pandelela felt glad to contribute a second medal for the country.

“I feared the worst when the shouts caught me by surprise just as we were about to leap.

“I hope it does not happen again but we certainly appreciate the support from our Malaysian supporters. I’m glad we held up although we made some mistakes early on,” said Pandelela.

“We were looking to get a medal of any colour in today’s event and that’s why Mun Yee skipped the semi–finals of the women’s 10m platform individual on Thursday in order to focus on the synchro. I hope we can get another medal in the team competition,” she added.

The medals for the team event on Monday combines all the performances from the country’s representatives in the individual and synchro disciplines.

In the men’s 1m springboard individual, Ahmad Amsyar made the semi–finals but failed to advance further after finishing fifth with 280.55 points.

Ahmad just made the cut after finishing 12th in the preliminaries with 363.15 points.

The second Malaysian entry, Fakhrul Izzat, ended 15th with 323.60 points.

Malaysia completed their campaign in cycling with Kimbeley Yap finishing 10th in the women’s 20km points race while the shooters and track and field athletes failed to make any impact after two days of competition so far.

World University Games: Yan Yee Dives Into Final

YOUNGSTER Ng Yan Yee showed great potential to make her way into the final of the women's 3m springboard amongst a world-class field at the World University Games yesterday.
The 18-year-old, who qualified for the final in 11th place with a total score of 273.35 in the semi-finals, however finished in last place among the 12 finalists with a score of 246.50.

Diving team manager Muhamad Mohd Hanif said he had only expected Yan Yee to make the semi-finals of the event.

"This is a good achievement for someone her age, especially when you consider the tough competition here which boasts some of the best in the world," said Muhamad.
"Compared to her performances during training she really did well. However, she does need to work on her consistency if she is to keep improving as her third, fourth and fifth dives were a bit patchy," added Muhamad.

Yan Yee will next partner Leong Mun Yee in the 3m springboard synchronised tomorrow.

Meanwhile Cheong Jun Hoong failed to replicate the form that took her agonisingly close to winning Malaysia's first medal at the Games on Wednesday in the women's 1m springboard, as she failed to make it past the semi-finals of the same event.

Jun Hoong missed the top 12 cut for the final by only one place as she finished with a 256.60 total score.

Today will see Bryan nickson Lomas taking to the pool in the men's 10m platform.


Read more: World University Games: Yan Yee dives into final http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/67diveesss/Article/index_html#ixzz1VjNmbuRM

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.

World University Games: Pandelela delivers

Pandelela Rinong displays the form that won her silver in the 10m platform event at the World University Games yesterday.

DIVER Pandelela Rinong lived up to her Olympic-class billing when she delivered Malayia's first medal at the World University Games (Universiade) yesterday.Pandelela scored a career high 381.75 points in the women's 10m platform event yesterday to finish second -- only four points behind winner Paola Espinosa of Mexico on 385.25.

China's Wang Xin (370.55) took the bronze.

The 18-year-old Pandelela said she was delighted to not only help win Malaysia's first medal at the Games but also because she had put in her best performance ever in the event despite a marginally poor score for her second dive yesterday.
Pandelela managed scores of 76.50, 65.25 and 78.40 for her first three dives at the Shenzhen Natatorium but delivered an outstanding 84.80 on her fourth dive which she later followed up with a 76.80 on her last attempt.

"I am really happy with my performance as this is the best I have achieved in the event thus far, even better than my scores at the World Championships in Shanghai last month," said Pandelela.

"I was a bit upset after my second dive (65.25) but my coach (Yang Zhuliang) told me to just forget about it and focus on my next attempts and fortunately I did manage to perform well after that.

"Looking back, however, I do feel if it was not for that (poor) second dive I could have very much gone on to win the gold here but I guess it was just not to be," added Pandelela.

Pandelela will see action again today in the women's 10m synchronised event where she will team up with Leong Mun Yee to challenge for Malaysia's second medal at the Games.



Read more: World University Games: Pandelela delivers http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/41gcyd/Article#ixzz1VRbHOLfL

Bryan Finishes Fifth In World Class Field

Men 3m Springboard result Summary

DIVER Bryan Nickson Lomas managed a respectable fifth placing in the men's 3m springboard final at the World University Games (Universiade) yesterday.Up against a world class field at the Shenzhen Natatorium yesterday, a nervous-looking Bryan opened with a poor score of 57.35 before steadying himself to post scores of 72.00, 74.25, 82.25, 78.20 and a 74.80 final dive for a total of 438.85 points.

Bryan said he was happy with the result, considering his main event is the 10m platform and the quality of divers he was up against.

"With the exception of that first dive, I am quite happy with my performances today (yesterday)," said Bryan.
"I pretty much performed to the best of my ability in this event and with all these world class divers here, many of whom I met in Shanghai (World Championships) last month, it is a good result for me.

"I was not expecting a medal today and if I am to reach such a level, I will need to increase the difficulty level of my dives which is not in my plans at the moment as I want to focus on my main event, the 10m platform," added Bryan, who qualified for the final in sixth place earlier yesterday.

China's He Chong took the gold medal with a total of 539.30 points while Mexico's Julian Sanchez Gallegos settled for the silver with a score of 515.50. The bronze went to Russian Ilya Zhakharov who amassed 471.95.

Bryan, who has already qualified for the London 2012 Olympics in the 3m springboard event, will compete in the 10m platform event on Sunday.


Read more: Bryan finishes fifth in world class field http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/ln321f/Article#ixzz1VLRMqCbB

Pandelela In Frame For First Diving Medal At Universiade

PETALING JAYA: It is her weakest element but diver Pandelela Rinong can end the country’s wait for a first diving medal if she pulls off a clean dive when she competes in the women’s 10m platform individual of the World University Games (Universiade) in Shenzhen today.

Pandelela and Leong Mun Yee are the two Malaysian entries for the women’s individual 10m platform but the better bet is on the Sarawakian to rise to the occasion.

Mun Yee has been entered more as a warm-up ahead of the 10m platform synchro discipline tomorrow where there are also seen as a medal hope.

The Malaysian contingent are still looking for their first medal after five days of competition in the Universiade but Pandelela does not think the pressure is on her when she makes the plunge in her pet event.

Pandelela finished fifth at the World Championships in Shanghai last month and is also the reigning Commonwealth Games champion in the discipline but getting a medal here will be no easy feat as she has to contend with a top class field.

China’s Chen Ruolin, the reigning world and Olympic champion, is favoured to clinch her first gold medal at the Universiade and other medal contenders include the likes of former world champion Poala Espinosa of Mexico, Kim Un-hyang of North Korea, Julia Prokopchuk of Ukraine and Katherine Bell of United States.

All were finalists at the world meet and Pandelela is aware she needs to be in good form to fight for a medal.

“This is my first participation at the Universiade and I don’t want to pressure myself to aim for a medal as the field is strong.

“But I will definitely give my best efforts. I am still using the same set of dives and I am optimistic of making it to the semi-finals first.

“If I can execute the armstand three and a half twist routine well (the third dive), I have a good chance to step into the final and let’s see from there,” said the 19-year-old, who has already qualified early for the London Olympics next year.

Another London Olympic qualifier, Bryan Nickson Lomas, also did well to reach the men’s 3m springboard individual final en route to fifth place yesterday.

Bryan garnered 433.85 points in the final with Olympic and world champion He Chong taking gold for China in 539.30 points.

Bryan was placed seventh in the preliminaries and semi-finals respectively.

Diver Jun Hoong misses out on a surprise bronze after finishing fourth

Click to link on Diving Result

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian woman diver Cheong Jun Hoong just missed out on nicking a surprise medal for Malaysia in the 1m springboard event on the opening day of the World University Games (Universiade) diving competitions at Shenzhen Notatorium yesterday.

The 20-year-old pulled off the unexpected by making it to the top-eight final by topping her semi-final heat with 268.35 points.

In the final held in the evening, Jun Hoong gave her best shot to deliver the first medal for the Malaysian contingent as she stayed inside the top three after the first two attempts.

So close: A poor third dive proved costly for Cheong Jun Hoong’s medal hopes during the 1m springboard final yesterday.

However, she slipped to fifth after only scoring 42.55 with her third dive.

Jun Hoong eventually settled for fourth with a total of 281.35 points, just slightly behind China’s Chen Ye who claimed bronze with 283.30 points.

American diver Bryant Kelci snatched the silver with 304.00 points as Shi Tingmao, the world champion in the 1m springboard at the recent World Championships in Shanghai, claimed the gold with 320.65 points.

Jun Hoong had completed the preliminaries with the fourth highest marks of 257.90 points behind Kelci (259.80), Chen Ye (272.45) and Tingmao (317.90).

The American and the Chinese duo were placed in the stronger semi-final heat together with another Malaysian diver Leong Mun Yee, who also made the cut.

But Mun Yee later pulled out on the instructions of the coach, leaving Jun Hoong to fight it out alone.

Jun Hoong, the bronze medallist in the discipline at the Guangzhou Asian Games last year, was happy to put up a good performance.

“I came here not targeting a medal as I knew the standards of competition were almost the same as that of the world championships.

“Most of the divers who competed at the world meet in Shanghai stayed back to train in China as they were also involved in the Universiade.

“I just give my best in the final,” said Jun Hoong, who still have the women’s 3m springboard individual event to look forward to.

London Olympic-bound diver Bryan Nickson Lomas and Fakhrul Izzat will be the Malaysians in action in the men’s 3m springboard individual today with reigning world and Olympic champion He Chong hotly favoured to take the gold.

Fakhrul partnered Ahmad Amsyar to finish 10th (300.03) in the men’s springboard synchro final earlier.

Malaysia are still looking for their first medal after four days of competition with the divers and shooters, who will be starting their campaign tomorrow, seeming to be the best hopes.

Universiade Games 2011 Shenzhen

RESULT
Men 3m Springboard Synchro (Prelim) - Muhd Fakhrul Izzat & Ahmad Amsyar
Men 3m Springboard (Prelim) - Muhd Fakhrul Izzat
Women 10m Platform (Prelim) - Pandelela Rinong 

Divers Set To Change Malaysia’s Dismal Show At Universiade

PETALING JAYA: There has not been anything much to shout about from the Malaysian contingent since the start of the World University Games (Universiade) in Shenzhen last Saturday but things could change when the divers make the plunge today.

Hosts China have their eyes set on making a clean sweep in the diving competitions at the Universiade for the first time and assembled almost the same line-up from the World Championships in Shanghai last month.

But despite the world class opposition, Malaysian divers can fancy a crack at snatching a medal or two if they get their acts right.

Best bets: Divers Pandelela Rinong (front) and Leong Mun Yee are expected to contest for medal in Shenzen.

Fakhrul Izzat will partner Ahmad Amsyar for the men’s 3m springboard synchro while Leong Mun Yee and Cheong Jun Hoong will bid to qualify for the final in the women’s 1m springboard individual event today.

But the better bet for medals lies on Thursday when Pandelela Rinong dives in the women’s 10m platform individual event and when she partners Mun Yee for the 10m platform synchro event the following day.

Also in with a shot to bag a medal is London Olympic-bound diver Bryan Nickson Lomas in the men’s 3m springboard and 10m platform individual events.

Diving head coach Yang Zhuliang is hoping the divers can bring cheers to the country when the competitions begins from today.

“This is the first time we are participating in the Universiade and I hope our divers can win a medal or two in the events we have targeted.

“The competition level is high as many of the top divers are university students but Pandelela and Mun Yee should bring home a medal in the women’s 10m platform synchro event if they don’t make any big mistakes.

“It will be tougher for the individual events as each country has two entries and we know the Chinese divers are stronger.

“China have three world champions in the team here – Chen Ruolin, He Zhi and He Chong.

“In fact, it is almost the same team who completed a clean sweep at the world championships and this is the strength the rest of the world are up against,” said Zhuliang.

Malaysia sent a 152-strong contingent, the largest ever, to compete in 13 of the 22 sports at the Universiade, which has drawn participation from 165 countries.

But the ones with a realistic chance to fight for a medal are likely to be in divers, archers and shooters.

The other sports Malaysia are represented in are swimming, athletics, badminton, taekwondo, gymnastics, football, fencing, judo, golf, cycling and chess.

The best showing by Malaysia was at the 2007 edition in Bangkok where Che Chew Chan won a silver medal in women’s taekwondo.

Universiade Games 2011 Shenzhen

Participants:

1. Leung Chii Lin (Graduated)

2. Pandelela Rinong ak Pamg                      Pre U (Deferred)

3. Wendy Ng Yan Yee                                  Pre U (Deferred)

4. Pardikar Indoma ak Pamg                       Pre U 

5. Muhammad Fakhrul Izzat b. Md. Zain    Pre U

6. Ahmad Amsyar b. Azman                        Pre U