Vintage Pandelela aim to shine at Asiad

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite being 33 years old, Pandelela Rinong remains undaunted about a potential retirement, driven by her passion for diving and her commitment to the country. She is currently fixated on clinching a medal at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan from September 19 to October 4. Pandelela's prowess was evident when she won the women's individual 10m platform title at the national selection championships, a victory that came after she overcame injuries that had previously hampered her preparations for international competitions.

The diver is now committed to a rigorous training schedule, including a three-week camp in China, before she embarks on her journey to Japan. Pandelela remains open to the possibility of her Aichi-Nagoya campaign being her final Asian Games appearance, but she is currently focusing on the present moment. The veteran diver, who has a wealth of experience at the highest level, has won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a silver in the synchronised 10m platform at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

She also holds five Asian Games medals, including silver and bronze from Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014, and Hangzhou 2022. While dealing with the challenges of her advanced career stage, Pandelela emphasizes the importance of self-care and maintaining a balance between training and recovery. Her primary goal in Aichi-Nagoya is to perform to the best of her abilities, with any medals being seen as a bonus.