The Diving Queen’s Mission Possible in Tokyo Olympics

Malaysia’s two-time Olympic medallist Pandelela Rinong, who was on the podium with a bronze in London 2012 and a silver in Rio 2016 is now targeting another podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

And that’s not all as she is at the same time looking to record a personal best.

The Malaysian diving queen who is also the first female athlete to bring home an Olympic medal does not see her achievement in Rio as pressure to perform better in Tokyo.

“Pressure brings the best out of me, it is as if we are the best of friends” said Pandelela who looks forward to making her 4th appearance at the Olympics.

However she admitted that the Covid19 pandemic did affect her performance and training sessions in the preparations towards to Tokyo Olympics as she lost her normal trading and competition routine for 3 months.

“There is a lot of catch up to do on both training and my fitness level”, added the household name in Diving.

“The Chinese and North Korean divers are the strongest contenders and they have been training nonstop even during the peak of the Covid19 pandemic”

Following her latest win with Leong Mun Yee in 10m synchronised platform at the World Aquatics Championships in South Korea last February, the duo seem to have developed the chemistry and with the extra training, their synchronisation as partners is gradually improving.

Earning her place in the spotlight, the Sarawak born diver will always be thankful for the everlasting motivation and inspiration from her state coach to get involved in diving.

She is very glad to have chosen this path and picking diving as her career path as she feels it is totally a blessed opportunity.

“If I could turn back the clock, I wouldn’t change a thing and will still be choosing the same path” said the 27 year old national diver.