This work is originally published by Cahya Mata Sarawak. DayakDaily has been given permission to share this story on our platforms.
By Martin Yee, Kenny Ee, and Marlynda Meraw
SMALL hands gripped tightly around her father’s waist, as the motorbike roared to life in the cool morning air. Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg, just a little girl then, clung to her father as he made the daily journey from their village of Kampung Jugan to the training pool. It was early, far earlier than most of her friends had to wake, but this was her life now—diving lessons that demanded both her presence and her heart.
Her father, Pamg Joheng’s commitment mirrored her own. He, too, was part of this dream, ferrying her on the bumpy roads, never once complaining, always believing in her potential. Every ride was a silent conversation, a promise between them that these sacrifices would one day make sense. At the pool, she would part from him, stepping toward the water, the familiar scent of chlorine welcoming her to the place where her life’s purpose was being shaped.
Pandelela’s early days in the diving pool were not glamorous. She often missed out on what other children were doing—school events, Girl Guides, and carefree afternoons. Her path was one of routine, discipline, and endless hours in the water. She was not the tallest or the fastest, but her tenacity set her apart. Even when the cold water stung her skin or the dives felt imperfect, Pandelela returned, day after day, driven by something she could not yet fully articulate but knew was important.
As the years passed, her skills sharpened. Under the watchful eye of her coach Wang Jin Lan, she began to stand out. There were moments of doubt, of course—times when the pressure seemed too much, and the future too uncertain. Once, she even thought of walking away from it all. It was her coach who found her, coaxing her back to the pool, reminding her of the path she had started.
“Lela,” her teammates called her—just a girl from Sarawak trying to make her way in a sport dominated by giants. But she was determined not to be forgotten.
By 2008, Pandelela had reached a milestone many athletes could only dream of—her first Olympics. She was only 15, standing on the edge of the 10m platform at the Beijing Olympics, staring down at the water far below. The enormity of the moment weighed on her. She finished 27th in her event, far from where she had hoped to be, but that experience planted something deeper in her: a hunger to return, stronger, better, more prepared.
And return she did. In 2010, at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Pandelela shocked the world by winning gold in the 10m platform event. The girl who once clung to her father’s waist as they navigated the bumpy roads to training was now a champion, her victory celebrated throughout Malaysia. The pride in her father’s eyes, in her community, and in herself, was the fuel that kept her going.
Her rise continued with even greater milestones. The 2012 London Olympics saw her make history as the first Malaysian female athlete to win an Olympic medal—bronze in the 10m platform event. No one expected it, but Pandelela had always thrived in defying expectations. From Sarawak to the world stage, her name was now synonymous with greatness.
In 2016, at the Rio Olympics, she teamed up with Cheong Jun Hoong to clinch a silver in the synchronised 10m platform, proving once again that she was one of the best divers in the world. Following this, she was awarded the title of “Datuk” in recognition of her contributions to Malaysian sports. Her career was studded with achievements—multiple medals at the World Championships, Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and Commonwealth Games, where she was a consistent force.
Alas, her journey wasn’t only one of victories. The Tokyo 2021 Olympics and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games were humbling reminders that even the strongest face challenges. She didn’t reach the podium, but that didn’t break her spirit. The same little girl who once clung to her father’s waist still had the determination, the same fire that had led her from a small village in Sarawak to global recognition.
“I see a bright future for the sport (diving), as long as there are consistent support and quality coaches,” Pandelela said as she reflected on the future of diving in Sarawak.
Today, Pandelela continues to train, her eyes fixed on the future. She may have missed out on the 2024 Paris Olympics, but her journey is far from over. She remains a symbol of hope, resilience, and dedication—not just for Malaysia, but for anyone who has ever faced doubt and chosen to push forward anyway.
Pandelela’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance—of early mornings, long rides on her father’s motorbike, and the unwavering belief that something great awaited her in the deep waters.
From the little girl who clung to her father to the champion who carried a nation’s hopes on her shoulders, she inspires diving athletes with her words: “Never give up on your dreams. Strive to be the best in whatever you do.”
Pandelela is a gift to Sarawak and Malaysia; shaped by love, forged in determination, and propelled by the endless possibility that lives in her heart. –DayakDaily
