Cheong Jun Hoong (front) and Leong Mu Yee (back) settle for silver medal behind China in the 10m platform synchro at the FINA Diving World Series in Beijing.
Cheong Jun Hoong showed her versatility by partnering veteran Leong Mun Yee to a silver medal in the women’s 10m platform synchro in the opening round of the FINA Diving World Series in Beijing.
The pair can also thank their lucky stars as they were out of the medal contention, having slipped to fourth with just one dive to go.
The duo, who scored only 66.24 points in their fourth dive, produced an outstanding final attempt of 80.64 to be guaranteed of the silver as Australians Lara Tarvit-Melissa Wu finished out of the medals instead.
Jun Hoong-Mun Yee, who are both from Ipoh, ended the five-dive contest with a 320.28-total to finish behind Chen Ruolin-Liu Huixia, who retained China’s perfect record in the event with 345.36 points.
Canada’s Meaghan Benfeito-Roseline Filion, the gold medallists at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last year, amassed 310.86 points for the bronze as the Australian pair settled for fourth with 302.10 points.
This is the second medal for Jun Hoong in the 10m platform synchro at the Diving World Series. She partnered Pandelela Rinong to a bronze in the 10m platform synchro in the Mexican leg in Monterrey last year.
Jun Hoong proved to be a good replacement in the World Cup in Shanghai last year when Mun Yee’s regular partner, Pandelela, was rested to allow her to fully recover from the knee injury in time for the Commonwealth Games (last July) and Asian Games in Incheon (last September). Jun Hoong capped a stunning outing with Mun Yee to take silver in the 10m platform synchro for Malaysia's best ever-achievement in the World Cup.
Coach Yang Zhuliang was happy with the progress shown by Jun Hoong.
“She’s normally focused on the 3m individual springboard ... we now have another candidate for the 10m platform synchro,” said Zhuliang from Beijing.
“Having more options is good ... I think it’s a healthy situation before we compete in the World Championships in Russia in July.
“I’m happy they got the better of the Canadian pair, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games last year. Mun Yee-Jun Hoong were only fourth in 10m platform synchro at the Games.”
Jun Hoong will bid to qualify for the 3m individual springboard today while Pandelela will swing into action in her pet event – the individual 10m platform – Saturday.
