Pandelela is the only Malaysian to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics thus far.
PETALING JAYA: To say Pandelela Rinong was happy to receive a ticket to Rio de Janeiro Olympics would be an understatement.
The diver was relieved to become the first Malaysian athlete to qualify for the Rio Olympics next year after finishing eighth in the semi-finals of the women’s 10m platform individual at the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday.
“I’m just grateful I made it in the individual (event). But it’s not over ... I want to work harder to get ready for the Olympics next year,” said Pandelela, who hopes her achievement will help boost the efforts of her team-mates.
Malaysia failed to qualify early for the synchro events from Kazan and now have to focus on getting the divers to achieve the goal in the individual events in the last two days.
Wendy Ng Yan Yee and Nur Dhabitah Sabri will hope to beat the odds to reach the top-12 final for the first time in the women’s individual 3m springboard on Friday while it will be Ooi Tze Liang and Chew Yiwei’s turn in the men’s 10m platform on Saturday.
Pandelela and Leong Mun Yee finished seventh in the 10m platform synchro in Kazan and failed to book their tickets to the Rio Olympics.
China, Canada and North Korea took the early Olympic spots, leaving Malaysia to wait until the Diving World Cup in Rio de Janeiro next February for another shot at taking one of the four spots still available.
“I’m excited to make it to another Olympics,” said 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist Pandelela.
“It’s not easy to qualify through the world meet ... it’s so competitive.
“Now, I just want to enjoy the competition (in Kazan) and do my best in the final.”
The 22-year-old from Sarawak also feels that Malaysian divers will have to be wary of the North Koreans as well as the usual suspects.
The North Korean divers caught the eyes of many after getting their first medal in the history of the world meet on Monday.
The pairing of Kim Un-hyang-Song Nam-hyang claimed bronze in women’s 10m platform synchro. They were also silver medallists at the Incheon Asian Games last year.
On Wednesday, 16-year-old newcomer Kim Kuk-hyang advanced to the women’s 10m platform individual final behind China’s defending champion Si Yajie and Ren Qian.
“They have been strong competitors in Asia for a long time alongside China. Their youngsters are really making an impression here,” said Pandelela.
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