Pandelela ready to guide next gen at KL SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR: Long-serving Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong (pic) is prepared to play a supporting role for younger divers at next year’s SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

And the five-time Olympian showed her earnest desire by teaming up with 2023 Cambodia SEA Games champion Lee Yiat Qing to win the women’s 10m synchronised platform title at the Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The 33-year-old Pandelela and Yiat Qing, 18, scored 279.84 points to take gold at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil, finishing ahead of the United States pair of Kayleigh Clark and Sophia McAfee (248.52).

Russia’s Viktoriia Kazantseva and Anna Konanykhina withdrew.

Pandelela said the younger divers should be given priority while she is ready to provide support if needed.

“We still need to prioritise the juniors. The SEA Games are an opportunity for them. Like before, the juniors usually get to go, and I’ll just help back them up,” said Pandelela, who finished without medals at the Asian Games in Japan last month.

Pandelela added her immediate focus is on the World Cup, where she intends to compete in both the individual and synchronised events, before turning her attention to next year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in July.

The World Cup comprise two legs in Montreal (February) and Mexico (March).

Her preparations this year were affected by factors beyond injuries, including the departure of her coach Mao Lin.

“My coach left midway through the Asian preparations.

“Sometimes, if something is not meant to be, it will never be. I’ll just try my best.

“I will continue working on my fitness and consistency.”