PETALING JAYA: Pandelela Rinong claimed Malaysia’s first medal at the 19th World Aquatics Championships (Fina WAC 2022) in Budapest when she took bronze in her pet 10m platform individual event.
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The 29-year-old splashed to 338.85 points at the end of the five-dive final contest for the bronze medal at the Duna Arena on Monday (June 27) evening.
Chen Yuxi narrowly staved off a challenge from her Chinese compatriot and Tokyo Olympic champion Quan Hongchan to defend her women’s 10m platform individual title with 417.25 points.
Hongchan, who led after the first two rounds, settled for silver with 416.95 points.
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The bronze is the sixth world championship medal for Pandelela. Altogether, she has won a total of one silver and five bronze medals from seven world championships appearances.
Pandelela, who is from Sarawak, made her debut in the prestigious world meet in Rome in 2009 with a bronze with partnering Leong Mun Yee in the women’s 10m platform synchro.
Mohd Syafiq Puteh and Chew Yiwei failed to make the cut for the top 18 semis after finishing 35th (327.35) and 51st (255.65) respectively in the preliminary round.-BERNAMA