KUALA LUMPUR - After earning a commendable score of 300.90 points in the women’s 10 metres (m) platform at the national diving trials last month, diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong will have another shot to make waves in the Malaysia Open 2024, next month.
National diving squad technical director Bryan Nickson Lomas hopes the two-time Olympic medallist will be able to accumulate at least 290.00 points in the Malaysia Open 2024 to be held at the National Aquatic Centre, Bukit Jalil, here.
"I am delighted to see Pandelela secure above 300.00 points in national trials, her first after two years. In terms of scoring, it was quite impressive for her due to the fact that the strict judging (including foreign judges) during the trials.
"She needs to get 290.00 points to solidify her position through the Minimum Qualification Scores (MQS) to represent the country such as at the World Championships next year,” he told Bernama.
The last time the Sarawakian soared past 300 points was during the 2022 FINA Diving Grand Prix, whereby she clinched women’s 10m platform gold with 324.70 points.
Following the Malaysia Open 2024, Bryan said Pandelela and other divers including from the backup squad would have one last chance to prove their mettle in national trials to be held as early as February next year.
The former Olympian said his coaching team would then pick those who truly deserved to go for major meets or multi-sports games.
Touching on the Malaysia Open 2024, Bryan said around 50 divers from eight countries including Malaysia would participate in the meet.
He said among the countries that will be sending their divers are Singapore, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Mexico.
"Experienced diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Bertrand Rhodict Lises will be among national divers who will join the Malaysia Open 2024,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bryan said 2024 Malaysia Games gold medallist, Elvis Priestley Clement and 2023 SEA Games gold medallist Lee Yiat Qing are among eight divers heading to the World Aquatic Junior Diving Championships 2024 in Brasilia, Brazil from Nov 24-Dec 1.
He also said these junior divers who will take part in Brasilia will not compete in the Malaysia Open 2024. - BERNAMA