KUCHING: Datuk Pandelela Rinong once again showed her class and consistency by calmly executing a routine she has performed countless times throughout her illustrious career.
Competing against a strong field that included Sarawak’s Nur Eilisha Rania, Lee Yiat Qing from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Hsueh Yu Hsin of Chinese Taipei, the national diving icon accumulated 298.90 points across five dives to secure the gold medal.
Pandelela representing National Sports Council (MSN) opened her campaign with a Forward 3½ Somersaults before steadily building momentum through the remaining rounds, showcasing the experience and composure that have defined her illustrious career.
Her final dive — an Armstand Back Double Somersault 1½ Twists earned 81.60 points, the highest individual score of the competition, sealing victory in style.
Nur Eilisha, the 2025 SEA gold medallist, pushed the Olympian all the way after collecting 292.35 points for silver, while Lee, who often pairs with Pandelela in the women’s 10m platform synchro event, completed the podium in third place with 260.65 points. Hsueh finished fourth overall on 196.80 points.
“I feel very proud of my Sarawak divers, and I hope that they can keep aiming high and aim for the Olympics,” she told Sarawak Tribune after winning the women’s 10m Platform Open title at the 61st MILO/PRM MIAG Diving Championships 2026 at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre on Sunday (May 10).
The championship also served as a qualifying platform for major upcoming competitions, including the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and the 12th Asian Age Group Championships in Bangkok.
Even after performing many of the same dives countless times on the international stage, the 33-year-old Pandelela demonstrated remarkable consistency and technical sharpness throughout the event.
Pandelela remains Malaysia’s most successful diver, having won two Olympic medals during her decorated career.
She captured bronze in the women’s 10m platform at the 2012 Summer Olympics before adding a silver medal in the women’s 10m synchronised platform alongside Cheong Jun Hoong at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
She has also claimed seven medals at the World Aquatics Championships, including six bronze medals in the 10m platform discipline and a silver medal at the 2019 championships in Gwangju.
