KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's hopes of a World Championships diving medal have taken a blow after Pandelela Rinong and Nur Dhabitah Sabri withdrew from the women's 10m platform synchro event yesterday.
Dhabitah has suffered a wrist injury, thus forcing Malaysia to scrap participation in the event on Sunday in Fukuoka, Japan,
Malaysia Swimming secretary Andy Low said it was an unfortunate turn of events as there was a good chance of Malaysia punching an early Olympic qualification ticket in the women's 10m platform synchro.
"This was Pandelela-Dhabitah's pet event. They had targeted a top three finish to confirm an early Olympic spot," said Andy.
"But the team manager informed us that they had to pull out from the event as Dhabitah has a wrist injury and would risk aggravating her condition.
"Pandelela and Dhabitah will still compete in their respective individual women's 10m platform and 3m springboard events. The 3m springboard event only takes place next week.
"Now they have to wait until next year's world championships to fight to win an Olympic ticket."
Malaysian divers have been on the women's 10m platform synchro podium in six out of the last seven world championships.
Pandelela has also never failed to deliver a medal in the women's 10m platform synchro since 2013 in Barcelona.
Pandelela partnered Dhabitah to the bronze in the event at the world meet in Budapest last year. Malaysia's best finish was a silver from Pandelela-Leong Mun Yee in 2019 in Gwangju, South Korea.
