2012 London Olympics – Diving: Malaysian Pandelela Rinong plucks a bronze from 10m platform, China’s Chen Roulin wins Gold

LONDON, Aug 9 (Bernama) — The country’s flag bearer in the London Olympics, Pandelela Rinong, lived to expectations by winning a bronze medal in the women’s 10m Platform at the London Aquatic Centre here today, a first for diving.

The 19-year-old Sarawakian who had a poor start managed to claw her way back to accumulate 359.20 points behind Australian Brittany Broben (366.50) and Chen Ruolin of China who ‘ran away’ with the gold after collecting 422.30 points.

Pandelela’s first dive, a Forward 3 1/12 somersault netted only 58.50 points and put her in 10th spot after the first round but subsequent dives of 64.00 (Armstand Back double somersault 1 1/2 twist), 81.60 (Inward 3 1/2 somersault) and 76.80 (Back 1/2 Somersault 1 1/2 twist) saw her back in contention.

After the mistake in the first dive coach Yang Zhuliang told me to forget the mistake and concentrate on the following dive, she said after winning a first ever medal in diving.

“I dedicate this bronze medal to the diving squad because they have supported me all the way. In fact I did not expect to win a bronze,” she said.

The bronze from Pandelela which is worth RM150,000 under the Youth and Sports Ministry’s (Shakam) incentive scheme, added to a silver medal won by shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

The Sarawakian who hoped her win would inspire other young divers, will also receive a monthly pension of RM2,000.

via Pandelela plucks a bronze from 10m platform | My Sinchew.