KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-crowned world champion Cheong Jun Hoong’s participation in next month’s Kuala Lumpur Sea Games will depend on the condition of her back injury.
National coach Yang Zhuliang has tentatively entered Jun Hoong for the women’s 1m springboard and 10m platform individual events in the biennial games.
Jun Hoong etched her name in history books by becoming Malaysia’s first ever world champion in diving in Budapest, Hungary on Wednesday.
Despite carrying a back injury, she upset reigning Olympic champion Ren Qian and Si Yajie for the 10m platform individual gold medal.
The Perak-born diver and Pandelela also paired up for the bronze medal in the platform synchro event.
Zhuliang said Jun Hoong’s back will be assessed by the National Sports Institute (NSI) before a decision is made on her events in the Sea Games.
“I am not sure whether Jun Hoong’s back is okay now. We do not want her to aggravate the injury,” said Zhuliang on Saturday.
“If there is a problem, then we may have to limit her events or decide not to enter her for the Sea Games.”
For the record, the KL edition will be Jun Hoong’s eighth Sea Games outing. The only time she did not win a Sea Games medal was at the 2009 Laos edition.
In total, Jun Hoong has won six gold, one silver and three bronze medals in the Sea Games. However, none of her gold medals were from the platform individual event.
Meanwhile, Nur Dhabitah Sabri finished 10th in the women’s 3m springboard individual final at the World Championships on Friday.
The 18-year-old posted a 292.35 total in the event won by Rio Olympics champion Shi Tingmao, who garnered 383.50 points.
China’s Wang Han took silver on 359.40, while Canadian Abel Jennifer finished third with a 351.55 series.
“I am very happy with the progress of Nur Dhabitah. It was her first-ever appearance in an individual final in the world meet.
“Nur Dhabitah did not score high this time… she need more competitions to gain experience. On her day, she normally scores between 330 and 350 points in the springboard.
“However, age is on her side and I believe she will develop into a better diver. She has a very good future in the springboard events,” Zhuliang added.
Compatriot Chew Yiwei failed to make the final in the men’s 10m platform individual. He posted 323.85 to finish 35th out of 42 divers.