MALAYSIA’S hopes of a podium finish in the women's 10m platform individual event did not materialise at the Gwangju World Championships in South Korea yesterday.
Pandelela Rinong had to settle for fifth in the 12-diver final at Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Centre after scoring 70.50, 73.95, 70.40, 62.40, 72.00 for a 349.25 total.
China's Chen Yuxi emerged victorious on 439.00 while compatriot Lu Wei came in second with 377.80. American Delaney Schnell completed the podium on 364.20.
Malaysia had won the gold medal in the discipline through Cheong Jun Hoong at the 2017 Budapest World Championships while Pandelela had clinched the bronze at the 2015 Kazan edition.
Jun Hoong, who underwent knee surgery last year, is still on the road to recovery and is not competing in Gwangju.
Pandelela has also been struggling with back injuries in recent seasons but was given the all clear to compete in South Korea.
The Sarawakian, had earlier in the competition, won the women's 10m platform synchronised silver with veteran Leong Mun Yee.
Earlier yesterday, Ooi Tze Liang and Chew Yiwei did not make it past the men's 3m springboard individual event preliminaries.
Tze Liang scored a 65.10, 61.50, 49.50, 68.25, 61.20, 71.40 series for a total 376.95 to place 25th from 57 divers.
Yiwei, who managed a 76.50, 44.20, 47.25, 54.00, 40.95, 69.75 for a 332.65 total, settled for 41st. Both divers missed out on the top-18 cut for the semi-finals.