Diver Pandelela Rinong Pamg from Sarawak heads for the Asian Games in Guangzhou next month

Pandelela: She targets to win at least a medal at next month’s Asian Games.

Sarawak lass heads for the Asian Games in Guangzhou next month
Story and photo by KERNI PUAH
sarawakstar@thestar.com.my

AFTER her superb performance at the just-concluded New Delhi Commonwealth Games, diver Pandelela Rinong Pamg, who has been dubbed Lulu Dolphine by her supporters, is setting her eyes on at least one medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, next month.

It will be her first appearance at the Asian Games after participating in the Beijing Olympic Games and New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

“As it will be my first time in the Asian Games, I want to win medals to add to my collection. The colour does not matter but I need to win,” said the 17-year-old Bidayuh from Kampung Jugan in Bau.

However, it will not be a walk in the park for her as she will have to compete against Chinese Olympic gold medallist Liu Jaio.

Liu also took the gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August in the 10m platform event.

“I’m aware that it will be tougher in the Asian Games as I will compete with divers from China, Japan and South Korea, and all of them are good divers.

“However, I will do my best and hope to spring some surprises,” said Pandelela in a telephone interview from her school in Bukit Jalil.

Prior to the Asian Games in Guangzhou, Pandelela will fly to Yunan in China on Oct 22 for an intensive training under coach Huang Qiang.

At the Youth Olympic Games, Pandelela bagged silver medals in the 3m springboard and 10m platform.

She received a reward of RM20,000 from the National Sports Council for her feat.

She also won a gold and a silver at the Commonwealth Games.

At the Asian Games, besides her pet individual and synchronised 10m platform events, Pandelela will compete in the 3m springboard discipline as well.

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