LEONG Mun Yee is not giving up without a fight. The diver hopes to remain sharp and injury-free in her bid to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
If the 35-year-old is selected, she will be the first Malaysian to make five Olympic appearances.
Mun Yee, who was not selected for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Pandelela Rinong earned Malaysia an Olympic spot in the women’s 10m platform synchro after winning silver at the recent World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju.
However, Mun Yee’s spot is not guaranteed as the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) will only select the best available divers for the Tokyo Olympics.
Other options for the event are 2017 world champion (platform individual) Cheong Jun Hoong and Kimberly Bong.
“We were mentally prepared in Gwangju as we knew it would be very tough. I am grateful that we managed to finish second and clinch early qualification to the Olympics,” said Mun Yee.
“The mission was to secure early qualification and after this, the hard work continues in the run-up to Tokyo. If I am selected, I will be the first (Malaysian) to achieve five (Olympic appearances).
“Physically, I still feel okay. What is important ahead of Tokyo is to continue training hard and also avoid injuries.
“Having secured qualification, we now have to keep working hard as the goal is to win a medal in Tokyo.”
Jun Hoong, who had won silver with Pandelela in the event at the Rio Games, will likely reunite with Pandelela for Tokyo in this event if she can return to form once she has recovered from injury.
Meanwhile, swimmer Tia’a Fang Der finished 42nd in 2:03.51s in the men’s 200m butterfly preliminaries at the World Championships yesterday. The Johor-born failed to advance to the next round.
Welson Sim will return to the pool in the men’s 100m freestyle and the 4x100m medley relay today.