Being the only Malaysian to have won a world title, Cheong Jun Hoong is now racing against time to regain her touch following injuries as she targets Olympic qualification in next year’s World Cup in Tokyo.
That will be Jun Hoong’s last chance to secure an Olympic spot.
However, national coach Christian Brooker feels the Ipoh-born, who won the 10m platform individual world title in 2017, will not be at her best for the event in April.
Brooker said an 18-month absence from training and competitions due to injuries could hamper the 29-year-old’s hopes of competing in the Olympics.
Jun Hoong’s last competition was the World Series in Russia in May last year when she secured bronze in the 10m platform synchro with Pandelela Rinong.
A knee injury followed by an operation in August last year forced her to miss the Indonesia Asian Games and her planned comeback in March was halted by a wrist injury.
“Jun Hoong will not be in optimum condition for the World Cup. But we are not ruling her out and will allow her to compete in the Tokyo qualifier,” said Brooker.
“She is still under rehab but has started light training.”
“At the moment, there are better divers in the squad and a 36-year-old (Leong Mun Yee) is performing better than her.”
In Jun Hoong’s absence, Pandelela and Mun Yee paired up to win the 10m platform synchro silver at the world meet in Gwangju in July to book their Olympic ticket.
A total of 18 qualifying spots will be up for grabs in the individual events at the World Cup.