Asian Games: age no barrier to success for Pandelela — Tze Liang

KUALA LUMPUR: Experienced national diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong, 33, does not believe age will hinder her pursuit of medals at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, according to her coach Ooi Tze Liang. Pandelela's wealth of experience, Tze Liang asserts, is her most significant asset in the competition. The coach is confident that Pandelela can achieve her best performance if she maintains optimal physical fitness.

In preparation for the Games, the coach plans to conduct a training camp in China, focusing on enhancing Pandelela's physical, mental, and overall condition. Tze Liang emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus on the present and staying consistent in training, suggesting that external opinions, including negative comments on social media, should not distract her.

Besides Pandelela, other athletes competing in Asian Games include Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar and Yong Rui Jie, both making their Asian Games debuts. For Tze Liang, the primary goal is to ensure his athletes maintain consistency in training and show progress daily, with consistency as the key to achieving success.