All-rounder: National diver Leong Mun Yee posing with her parents after the convocation ceremony at Universiti Putra Malaysia yesterday. — S.S. KANESAN / The Star
PETALING JAYA: Diver Leong Mun Yee’s perseverance has finally paid off.
After 10 years, Mun Yee graduated yesterday with a bachelor’s degree in communications from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
“I’m so happy today because I finally became a graduate since I enrolled at UPM in 2007.
“And I’m honoured to be chosen to give the speech on behalf of all the graduates today,” said the 32-year-old Mun Yee, who received her scroll from Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at yesterday’s convocation ceremony.
“As a national athlete, it’s not easy to juggle our studies as we are often away in training camps and competitions overseas.
“But education is very important for me and I was determined to finish my studies — no matter how long.
“It means a lot as we need something to fall back on,” added the Perak-born Mun Yee, who now plans to study for a Master’s degree in either communications or sports science in the future.
Mun Yee is also game to work as a broadcast journalist when she quits the sport. But for now, she is not prepared to give up her diving career.
“My focus is on making the squad and help Malaysia win medals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (in Australia in April) and the Jakarta Asian Games (in Indonesia in August) next year.
“As long as my body can still take it, I want to continue and maybe try for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020,” said Mun Yee.
Mun Yee holds a number of records in Malaysian sports.
She is the only woman athlete to have taken part in four Olympics from 2000 to 2012.
This year, she made a record 11th appearance at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August.
She also took her career SEA Games gold-medal collection to 17 after wins in the women’s 10m platform synchro (with Traisy Vivien Tukiet) and mixed 10m platform synchro (with Jellson Jabillin).
Last month, Mun Yee partnered Pandelela Rinong to win the gold in the women’s 10m platform synchro at the FINA Diving Grand Prix leg in Kuala Lumpur.
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