KUALA LUMPUR: Former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong has qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games in July.
In her first official meet since 2018, the 31-year-old dominated the preliminary round of the women's 10m platform individual event at the Tokyo Diving World Cup today.
Jun Hoong topped the event with a five-dive total of 345.30 points, followed by Russia's Yulia Timoshinina (336.70) and Mexico's Gabriela Agundez Garcia (325.65).
Malaysia's Pandelela Rinong took fourth on 325.00.
Jun Hoong will compete in the 18-field semi-final on Wednesday.
The top 12 will advance to the final and fight for the podium.
It is a huge victory for the Ipoh-born who had endured challenges after a knee surgery in 2018.
She also did not look convincing in simulation events organised by Malaysia Swimming (MS).
Her qualification also offers a stronger case to rehire former national coach Yang Zhuliang as head coach of the Malaysian diving team.
Zhuliang's contract was not renewed after it expired in 2017 but returned to take charge of Jun Hoong mid-last year, thanks to the National Sports Council (NSC).
NSC's decision to hire Zhuliang as Jun Hoong's personal coach has turned out to be a masterstroke.
Although, Jun Hoong's mark today will not win her a medal at the Olympics, it is certainly a huge improvement for the diver.
The 2017 world champion in the platform event can now focus on becoming stronger and meaner for the Tokyo Olympics.
If Jun Hoong can break the 370-point barrier, she will certainly have a chance of winning a medal at the Olympics.
