KUALA LUMPUR: Birthday girl Pandelela Rinong missed out on a medal in the opening round of the FINA Diving World Series in Sagamihara, Japan, earlier today (Saturday), but is nevertheless optimistic of improving as the season progresses.
Pandelela, who turned 26 today (Saturday), scored a 66.00, 71.05, 73.60, 73.60 and 65.60 series for a 349.85 total to finish fourth in her semi-final heat for the 10m individual platform event. It was, however, not enough to see her make the cut for the top-six (from two heats) that advanced to the final.
The Sarawakian lass, who has struggled with various injuries in recent seasons, said she was still happy to be able to compete and be in good physical shape.
Pandelela and fellow national diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri had finished just out of the medals placing in fourth spot for the 10m synchronised platform final earlier today (Saturday).
“(This is the) first time that I’m competing on my birthday. After many years, this is also the first time I (am) competing without any kinesio tape on my body,” said Pandelela on her Instagram page.
“(Being) pain free and feeling good is what I wish for my birthday this year! I hope to keep up with the current momentum and progress better in the next leg. ”
China’s Zhang Jiaqi went on to take the gold after posting 393.30 points, while Canadian Meaghan Benfeito (385.10) and Ren Qian (371.40) of China came in second and third respectively in the 10m individual platform final.
Veteran Leong Mun Yee and Hanis Jaya Surya finished fifth in the mixed 10m synchronised platform final after scoring 52.20, 53.40, 68.88, 67.50 and 69.12 for a total of 311.10 points.
China’s Lian Junjie-Si Yajie (360.33) emerged victorious in the discipline, while Russia’s Nikita Shleikher-Iuliia Timoshinina (334.59) and Japan’s Kazuki Murakami-Minami Itahashi (325.50) took silver and bronze respectively.
Mun Yee and Muhammad Syafiq Puteh are the only Malaysian’s competing on the final day of the tournament in Sagamihara tomorrow (Sunday). The pair will be competing in the mixed 3m synchronised springboard event.
The world series, which features the top eight divers in the world in each discipline, will next head to Beijing (Mar 7-9), Montreal (April 26-28), and Kazan (May 10-12) before ending in London on May 17-19.
This will be followed by the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea in July, where the stakes will be high with it being an Olympic qualifying event.