KUALA LUMPUR: PANDELELA Rinong is easily the country’s most decorated diver, having won medals in the Olympics, World Championships and other major competitions. She shares her 2017 targets with New Straits Times.
Question: What are your targets for 2017?
Answer: My target this year is the same as the previous years which is to keep doing my best in every competition and also to break my personal record.
Q: What are the challenges ahead?
A: I will try my best to make the final in every competition this year. It will not be easy as every diver will be aiming for the same thing. I have been in the national team for 10 years and along the way, I have suffered many injuries. The setbacks have taught me how to come back stronger every time. I anticipate that I will be facing the unexpected this year and I have to be ready when it comes.
Q: How do you rate your performance in 2016?
A: It was a satisfying season. The most memorable one was accomplishing my target at the Rio Olympics in August by returning with a silver medal in the women’s 10m platform synchro (with Cheong Jun Hoong). It was something everyone wanted me to achieve following the bronze medal (in the 10m platform individual) at the 2012 London Games.
Q: You went on a short break after the Rio Olympics as you needed to recover from injuries and also to focus on studies. What were your injuries and how is it going so far with your Sports Science degree programme at Universiti Malaya?
A: I think personal health is very important as everyone needs to be free from injuries to compete at a high level. The decision to rest and recuperate from my back and shoulder injuries and also catch up on my studies were the best decisions I had made for myself. I must thank the National Sports Institute for helping me recover before the new year and currently, I am free from injuries. I am doing well with my sports science degree (major in sports management). But it will take longer than normal for me to complete it due to my commitments. I hope to graduate next year.
Q: You have achieved a lot in diving. What else do you need to do to get better?
A: My resolution for each year is to get better in the sport. However, I think I need a new hobby or maybe look at other interests to deepen my faith and mental health in the hope to progress in all aspects. It will be a bonus if I can win a major title this year but all I want to do is compete in competitions without regretting anything.
Q: How important is ranking in diving?
A I do not really focus on rankings. I believe in doing my best in every event and the rankings will take care of themselves.
Q: What is the reason for you hiring a manager (Jolene Knight)?
A: I have a personal manager as I need someone to manage my sponsorships, promotional activities, and also offer good advice. My manager also helps in filtering activities that are beneficial for my progress and future in the sport. Most importantly, she helps me focus more on my diving career.
Q: Will your manager be accommodating, especially when you are abroad for competitions, in working with the media?
A: She travels a lot but whenever she’s free, she will reply you.