Wushu princess Diana turns coach in Sarawak

New role: Diana Bong executing her routine during the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 2017.

PETALING JAYA: Former wushu world champion Diana Bong has added another feather in her cap after being appointed as coach of her home state Sarawak.

Diana was with the state wushu team from 2000 to 2003 and was the mainstay of the national team from 2004 until her retirement in January last year.

The 32-year-old established herself as Malaysia’s wushu queen with her numerous medals at the World Wushu Championship, Asian Games and the SEA Games in her illustrious 15-year career.

Diana, who hails from Sungai Tapang, holds a Sports Science Level 3 certificate and Wushu Coaching Level 2 certificate. She has served as a coach at the Yu Xue Yuan Wushu Academy, Ho Ro Bin Academy and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

She said she was happy to return to Sarawak after her retirement but admitted that the excitement has been dampened by the Covid-19 pandemic and the movement control order (MCO).

“It’s a great honour to contribute back to Sarawak. I will grab this opportunity to teach and guide the next generation of athletes. I will try my best using my knowledge, abilities and experience... but I’m still new as a coach here, ” added Diana.

On the MCO, she said athletes could always find other ways to train at home.

“Based on my own experience, I trained at home during long holidays. So, the MCO will not stop my athletes from training.”

On the transition from an athlete to coach, Diana said it was a learning process.

“Before this, I needed to focus on my own life. Now, I have to take care of more than one person.

“I hope with this change, I can learn new things too, ” added Diana.