WORLD diving champion and Olympic silver medallist Cheong Jun Hoong talks to NSTP sport’s Fadhli Ishak on her past, present and future
Question: Let's go back to the start. Who introduced you to diving?
Answer: I started diving at the age of nine. A coach from China came to my primary school, SRJK (C) Yuk Choy in Ipoh. She was trying to find some kids to teach them diving.
Question: What happened then, did you like it?
Answer: At first, my parents just sent me there (for diving lessons) to make friends and exercise. I had previously been a swimmer.
I did not really think of diving seriously at first, I was just having fun. But then I got to know the sport better and it took off from there.
I joined Bukit Jalil Sports School when I was 13, and went straight to Form Two as I had done PTS (Penilaian Tahap Satu) previously.
Question: Who is your idol in the sport?
Answer: I admire the British diver, Tom Daley. Locally, I think everyone (of the top national divers) has different characters and strengths which I can learn from.
Question: You unexpectedly won the 10m platform individual gold at the World Championships in Budapest this year. How does it feel like and has your life changed?
Answer: My life is actually pretty much the same. Once in a while, people recognised me and asked to take a picture with me. As far as I am concerned, I am still the same person, I am not that famous. I am just a normal human being.
Question: Do others feel intimidated by you being a world champion at competitions?
Answer: Although I won the world championship, the next competition is still a new start. I still have to start from zero points again, and I do not think it gives me any advantage.
Question: Would you say this year has been a big success for you?
Answer: I think it has been a successful year for me. But there were a few ups and downs because at the start of the year I had a back injury and I was forced to miss two legs of the world series.
Question: How is your back at the moment?
Answer: I am slowly getting back into training. I still feel uncomfortable. Recovery has been a bit slow for me... maybe because I am ageing (she will be 28 next year).
Question: What is actually the problem with your back?
Answer: I have a disc bulge and a stress fracture, which is due to overtraining. It is inevitable that an athlete will get injured sooner or later.
It will not go away even if I stop training. It will be there for the rest of my life. I have to learn to manage it and do the necessary rehab.
I could have surgery but it is not really necessary at this point. It does keep me up a night once in a while but it has not restricted my movement for now.
Question: What are your plans for next year?
Answer: I am hoping my back won't be as painful as it is now. The most important thing for me is to be in good condition physically, so I can continue my journey in diving.
Question: What about the Gold Coast Commonwealth and Indonesia Asian Games?
Answer: I hope to win more medals at the Games which is what every athlete dreams of. I will definitely try my best to do so and I would love it if I could repeat what I did in Budapest. I will also be competing in the World Cup and World Series next year.
Question: What do you think of your juniors, Jellson Jabilin and Kimberly Bong?
Answer: I think they are both very talented divers. I hope they have the determination to achieve what they want in the sport. My advice to them is to train well and try not to get injured.
Question: Diving is not as accessible as football where you can play in an empty space or field. How can people, especially the youngsters, start diving?
Answer: They can approach their state teams to get started and if they love it, then just keep doing it.