Leong Mun Yee (left) and Pandelela Rinong grab silver in the second leg of the Diving World Series in Dubai on Thursday.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee continued with their hot run by grabbing a silver medal in the second leg of the Diving World Series in Dubai.
Pandelela-Mun Yee gave London Olympic champions Chen Ruolin-Liu Huixia a good run for their money to finish the five-dive women’s 10m platform synchronised final with 314.64 points.
The Chinese pair took gold with 337.56 total. Canadians Meaghan Benfeito-Roseline Filion overtook Mexicans Alejandra Orozco-Paola Espinosa on the last dive for the bronze with 309.09 points.
The Mexicans, silver medallists at the London Olympics, finished fourth with 305.37 points.
It was the second straight success for the Malaysian pair in the series, which expanded from five to six legs this year.
Pandelela-Mun Yee took bronze in the first leg in Beijing last week but Thursday’s silver will surely boost their confidence as they prepare to challenge for a first-ever triumph in the event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.
The Malaysian pair took silver in the event at the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi four years ago but have now finished ahead of their Canadian and British rivals twice this year.
The two-time World Championships bronze medallists were comfortably in a medal position after the first three optional dives and held on to confirm the silver.
“We hope to maintain our performance. Thanks for the support and cheers,” said Pandelela from Dubai.
Coach Yang Zhuliang was pleased to see the pair stay consistent despite having just competed in Beijing a week ago.
“I was worried for them as Pandelela also competed in the platform individual besides partnering Mun Yee in synchro last week.
“But they did not look out of sorts. It’s a good score and they would have been fighting for a medal at every high-level meet if they can continue performing like this,” he said.
Pandelela will return to the pool for the 10m platform individual event on Saturday.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
