KUALA LUMPUR: Sea Games gold medallist Kimberly Bong has left the national diving team programme.
She did not disclose the reason behind her decision nor her future plans, though she made it clear that she is looking forward to moving on to "another chapter".
"15 years of diving, all the laughter, sweat and tears will never be forgotten," she said on social media yesterday.
"Thank you to those who supported me throughout my career. Officially, this chapter will be closed.
"It is time for me to move on to another chapter."
Kimberly, who will turn 22 in July, showed great promise as a junior, but her progress through the ranks was hindered by multiple injuries.
She enjoyed a strong season last year, winning gold in the 3m springboard individual at the Phnom Penh Sea Games and later teaming up with Ong Ker Ying to clinch bronze (3m synchronised) at the Chengdu World University Games.
Malaysia Aquatics secretary-general Andy Low said the national body will look to expedite the development of springboard divers.
"We have a number of (springboard) divers in the backup programme whom we will look to fast track their development."
Among the promising youngsters in the backup programme is Nur Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin, 17, who the 3m springboard individual gold winner at the Malaysian Invitational Age-Group Championships earlier this month.