KUCHING, May 6: Sarawak diving queen Pandelela Rinong’s victory at the FINA Diving World Cup in Tokyo is testimony that perseverance and discipline in training are traits to being a world-class athlete.
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan has joined many others in extending his congratulations to Pandelela, who clinched Malaysia’s first gold medal in the women’s 10m platform final at the Fina Diving World Cup 2021 in Japan yesterday.
“She brings glory to Sarawak. Sarawakians especially are overwhelmingly happy and congratulated her for her success and achievement at the international level.
“Our sincere congratulations to Pandelela, her parents and coaching team for this great triumph,” he said in a statement today.
The 28-year-old national diver claimed the gold medal after finishing with 355.70 points at the end of the five-dive competition, beating her nearest rival Matsuri Arui from host country Japan for the silver medal who garnered 342.0 points while Caeli McKay from Canada took the bronze medal with 338.55 points.
Snowdan believes that she is eyeing at the Olympic 2021 tournament which will be held this coming July in Tokyo, Japan.
“We shall leave that to her to chart her next undertakings and wish her more success.
“Sarawakians and the State government are truly happy for her,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pandelela is the first Malaysian to make it to the top of the World Cup podium and it is her second individual career medal and third overall.
She took bronze in the same event at the last edition in Wuhan in 2018.
She earned her first medal – a silver – partnering Cheong Jun Hoong in the women’s 10m platform synchro in the 2016 edition in Rio de Janeiro. — DayakDaily
