HANGZHOU: Veteran diver Pandelela Rinong ended Malaysia's 13-year Asian Games medal drought in the women's 10m individual platform, securing a bronze medal in Hangzhou on Tuesday. In what is likely to be her final Asian Games appearance, the 30-year-old Sarawakian overcame a stumble in her third dive, amassing 280.50 points from five attempts at the Olympics Aquatic Sports Arena.
"I know my dives this evening were not of my usual quality, but they were better than what I did in the morning qualifiers. For that, I am very grateful," said Pandelela.
"I am actually not feeling too well; that's why my dives this morning were not great. I took Panadol after that and had a massage."
"The Paris Olympics are just one year away, and I will work hard to do my best and improve my dive quality."
Reigning Olympic champion Quan Hongchan of China proved to be in a class of her own, claiming the gold with 438.20 points, while compatriot Chen Yuxi secured the silver with 435.65 points.
For the record, Pandelela, a two-time Olympic medallist, was the last to win a platform medal on her debut at the 2010 Guangzhou edition. This bronze medal marks her second podium finish in Hangzhou, following her earlier achievement with Nur Dhabitah Sabri in the platform synchro event.
Malaysia have thus far collected five medals in diving, comprising one silver and four bronze.