A file picture of Pandelela Rinong. She feels that the centralised training early in the year is important for her success.
KUALA LUMPUR: Boredom is sinking in but national diving queen Pandelela Rinong is doing all she can to enjoy her one-month training in Guangzhou without any disruptions.
The one-month training is crucial in preparing her to face an exciting year in diving - with her ultimate goal of making a great splash in every single tournament - whether it is a small or major one.
The diving team, led by Pandelela, arrived in Guangzhou with coach Zhang Yuliang about a week before Chinese New Year (on Jan 25) and their first assignment is the opening leg of the FINA World Series in Beijing, China, from March 14-16.
It will be followed by five other legs in Dubai (March 20-22), London (April 25-27), Moscow (May 2-4), Windsor (May 30-June 1) and Monterrey (June 6-8). And there are other majors like the World Cup in Shanghai, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Incheon.
Pandelela said that the centralised training early in the year was important as the right focus during this time would be the key to success.
“Training here is really good but it can be quite boring,” said the 20-year-old, referring to her daily routine of going in and out of the diving pool to fine-tune her performances.
“I did not celebrate Chinese New Year but it was good to spend some time with my fellow divers enjoying the festive season here. During my free time, I try to catch up on my favourite television shows - Gossip Girl and Supernatural ... it keeps me entertained,” quipped the 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist.
A fun-loving person by nature, Pandelela knows the importance of striking a balance in order not to burn out.
“There are a lot of tournaments this year and I plan to do well in all of them. I plan to enter every tournament with the aim of breaking records and improving my personal best,” she added.
Last year, Pandelela did well in the World Series when she completed the season as the second best in the overall standings. At the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, she delivered a gold medal in the individual platform event and at the Asiad in Guangzhou, her best effort was winning one silver in the 10m platform synchro.
It will be a tall order for Pandelela to maintain or surpass her achievements but if her determination is anything to go by, one can bank on the Sarawakian lass to shine in all her three events (3m springboard synchro, individual 10m platform and synchronised), in all the stops at the World Series and at both the major Games.
Besides Pandelela, the other women divers currently based in China are Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Traisy Vivien Tukiet, Leong Mun Yee, Loh Zhiayi, Adeline Chin, Kam Ling Kar and Jasmine Lai. The men are Ahmad Amsyar Azman, Chew Yiwei, Mohd Danial Sabri, Mohd Nazreen Abdullah, Ooi Tze Liang and Sylvester Gaing.
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