KUALA LUMPUR – Two-time Olympic medallist Datuk Pandelela Rinong failed to secure a spot for the women’s 10m platform at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a poor performance in the event at the ongoing World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, today.
Pandelela only managed to secure 29th place with 231.15 points, trailing 204.05 points behind reigning world champion Chen Yuxi (435.20 points) in the event that offered automatic qualification for the Olympics.
Only the top 18 divers from the preliminary round advance to the semi-finals scheduled for tomorrow and stay in contention for the 12 Olympic tickets on offer in Doha.
The top 12 divers from the 2023 Fukuoka World Championships had already qualified for Paris while another spot for the continental champion is yet to be decided.
Another representative from the country, Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj, also missed the Paris qualification list after ending in 44th place out of the 46 participants, accumulating 167.55 points.
Pandelela, aged 30, who bagged bronze in the 10m platform at the 2012 London Olympics and the women’s synchronised 10m platform with Cheong Jun Hoong at the 2016 Rio Games, was hoping for a fifth consecutive Olympics since her debut at the 2008 Beijing edition.
Despite missing qualification in the individual event, Pandelela still has a chance to make amends in the women’s synchronised 10m platform, when she partners Nur Dhabitah Sabri on Tuesday.
Four Olympic places are on offer for the synchronised event in Doha, after three were chosen during the Fukuoka edition. – February 4, 2024