The Star : Pandelela-Mun Yee collect final gold for Malaysia

Malaysian Leong Mun Yee (front) adn Pandelela Rinong compete in the women 10meter platform synchro in the FINA Diving grandprix Kuala Lumpur in Bukit Jalil Aquatic stadium.AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star (29/102017)


KUALA LUMPUR: Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee were easy winners of the women’s 10m platform synchro gold on the final day of the Diving Grand Prix Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysians posted a 311.28 total in the five dives at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday to finish 30.60 points clear of second-placed Emily Boyd-Nikita Hains. The Australians managed 280.68 points.

Kim Suji-Cho Eunbi of South Korea took the bronze with a 275.10 total while Britain’s Emily Martin and Eden Cheng were fourth with 238.50 points. Only four teams took part following China’s pull-out due to an injury to one of their divers.

“It would have been more exciting and challenging if China had competed in the event. But the Australians and South Kore-ans gave us a strong challenge,” said the 23-year-old Pandelela, who won the 10m platform individual silver on Friday.

“Mun Yee is an experienced diver.

“You can count on her giving her best in every competition. The gold today is a real morale booster for us in next month’s Grand Prix in Gold Coast (Australia from Nov 9-12),” said Pandelela.

For 32-year-old Mun Yee, it was the first time she partnered Pandelela since the Diving World Series last year.

“We only trained together two weeks ago. But I am happy that I managed to make some decent dives to win the gold,” said four-time Olympian Mun Yee.

Malaysia also won a silver in the 3m springboard mixed synchro yesterday. Gabriel Gilbert and Nur Dhabitah Sabri amassed a 272.19 total.

Malaysia ended the three-day championships with two golds, four silvers and one bronze to finish third overall.

On Saturday, world champion Cheong Jun Hoong and Jellson Jabilin delivered the first gold for Malaysia in the 10m platform mixed synchro.

South Korea emerged overall champions with a 3-3-3 haul with China second on 3-2-1.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/diving/2017/10/30/runaway-winners-pandelelamun-yee-collect-final-gold-for-malaysia/#tkAHxC7GplJTxmJl.99

The Star : Jellson in the limelight

KUALA LUMPUR: Sixteen-year-old national diver Jellson Jabilin couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the Diving Grand Prix series.

Despite a hectic schedule, the Sabahan managed to help himself to a gold and silver in the 10m platform events in the Diving Grand Prix Kuala Lumpur at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

He first clinched silver in the men’s 10m platform synchro with Nazirul Hanis by amassing 364.26 points.

Then, in the afternoon, Jellson partnered world champion Cheong Jun Hoong to win Malaysia’s first gold in the 10m platform mixed synchro with a total of 310.20 points.

However, the Grand Prix rules state that each country are allowed to win just one medal in the synchro events.

Going all out: Jellson Jabillin (top) and Cheong Jun Hoong in action during the 10m platform mixed synchro of the Diving Grand Prix at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star,

That saw South Korean divers of Kim Yeongnam-Cho Eunbi, who finished third with 295.80 points, taking the silver medal.

But Jellson was clearly the star of the day and he was thrilled with his efforts despite the hectic schedule.

“It’s not easy to focus on two events in a day. My dives in the 10m platform mixed synchro were a bit slack as I did not get enough rest after competing in the morning,” he explained.

“I still have room to improve as I’m still young, but it was a good experience competing in my first Grand Prix.

“I only trained for two weeks with Jun Hoong, so I’m happy to deliver Malaysia’s first gold in the Grand Prix,” said Jellson, who is looking forward to competing in the Grand Prix in Gold Coast, Australia, next month.

Jun Hoong, who is the first Malaysian diver to win a gold medal (10m platform) in the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in July, admitted that fatigue was the reason why Jellson’s first two dives were not too well executed.

“But I motivated him by telling him that he could do it. Thankfully, he did well in the next three dives to help us win the first gold for Malaysia,” said Jun Hoong.

It was a fruitful day for Malaysia as they another silver and a bronze.

Ahmad Amsyar Azamn-Ooi Tze Liang won the second silver in men’s 3m springboard synchro with a 415.47 total.

Nur Dhabitah Sabri faced a strong challenge from China’s divers before clinching the bronze in women’s 3m springboard individual.



Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/diving/2017/10/29/jellson-in-the-limelight-debutant-clinches-gold-and-silver-at-home-grand-prix/#pmkpow3FRH5LrHlB.99

The Star : Wendy’s career takes a nosedive

PETALING JAYA: National coach Yang Zhuliang is hoping Malaysian female diver Wendy Ng Yan Yee (pic), who failed a doping test, will get a lighter sentence.

Wendy’s B sample came out positive for sibutramine, a stimulant commonly found in slimming products but is on the banned list of substances under the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The 24-year-old Wendy was in New Delhi, India, two weeks ago to observe her B sample opened and tested.

Wendy represented Malaysia and made the 3m springboard individual final at the Rio Olympics last year.


“We have never had such a thing before and I vouch for my divers; they do not need to take illegal substances to help them perform.

“We are already the top diving team in the region. I am not sure how the substance was present but we have given all the medicines and supplements to the National Sports Institute for testing.

“I hope my athlete will get a lighter sentence,” said the Chinese coach, who confirmed Wendy would not be competing in the Diving Grand Prix Kuala Lumpur leg that is starting at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil today.

Wendy will have to return the gold medal she won in the women’s 3m springboard synchro final with Nur Dhabitah Sabri at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August since she failed the doping test.

Singapore’s Ashlee Tan-Fong Kay Yian will get the gold instead.

Wendy also won a gold in the 3m springboard individual but Malaysia will keep that medal because Dhabitah finished second and will be promoted to first place.

Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary Mae Chen confirmed that they were notified of the B sample results yesterday morning.

“Asum will have a hearing to decide on the sentence but we have not decided when,” she said.

Wendy can expect to be banned for up to two years and not four years because testing positive for sibutramine is not as serious an offence as having taken performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids or erythropoietin.

Sibutramine is listed under the S6 (specified stimulants) category of the World Anti-Doping Agency code released in January.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/10/27/wendys-career-takes-a-nosedive-diving-gold-medallist-may-get-a-twoyear-ban-for-doping/#miDMrQsMTajeWRM6.99

FINA Diving Grand Prix 2017, Kuala Lumpur

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