PETALING JAYA: National diver Pandelela Rinong got off to the worst possible start with a disappointing first attempt in the women’s 10m platform final today at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre, ultimately finishing last out of 12 competitors.
The London 2012 bronze medallist played catch-up from the get-go, only scoring 18.00 points to leave her with an almost impossible task of challenging for a medal after Round 1.
Her final score of 245.85 meant Pandelela, who debuted at Beijing 2008 as a 15-year-old, missed out on a podium finish for the first time since her London 2012 bronze in the same event.
On top of the medal in London, Malaysia’s first ever at the Olympics, Pandelela also won silver with Leong Mun Yee in the 10m platform synchro at Rio 2016.
China’s Quan Hongchan won gold with a score of 466.20 points, while compatriot Chen Yuxi (425.40 points) and Australian Melissa Wu (371.40 points) grabbed silver and bronze respectively.