KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's failure to have a diver in the women's 10m platform individual event at the Paris Olympics underlines the country's desperate need for new talent in the event.
Previously, Malaysia had always at least one diver qualifying for the event since Sydney 2000, and even won a bronze through Pandelela Rinong at the 2012 edition in London.
Pandelela, yesterday, settled for a lowly 29th in the preliminary round of the 10m platform at the Doha World Aquatics Championships and missed the top-18 cut for the semi-finals for the second year in a row.
Youngster Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj, the only other Malaysian in the preliminaries, placed 44th.
The results mean both the divers did not qualify for Paris. Only the top-12 from this edition of the World Championships, not including those who have qualified (15), secure a ticket to Paris.
Not all is lost for Pandelela. She still has another chance to qualify for Paris via the women's 10m platform synchronised, partering Nur Dhabitah Sabri, tomorrow.
At 31, Pandelela's best days may be behind her, but her journey to Doha has not been an easy one.
Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) secretary-general Andy Low revealed that Pandelela has been battling various injuries over the past few seasons.
"She has faced quite a number of injuries, notably back and shoulder injuries," said Andy when contacted yesterday.
"As a high-performance athlete, she has to continuously push her body, so it is not easy.
"She has done her best to manage her injuries through treatment and physiotherapy. However, it has limited her ability to push herself in training.
"We will continue to provide Pandelela with the support she needs to perform at a high level."
However Andy added that MAS is hoping to see the younger generation of divers stepping up in the 10m platform soon.
"We currently have two or three divers who have the potential to excel in the platform discipline," he said.
"Rania (19) and Kimberly Bong (21) are among them.
"Previously they competed in the platform as well as springboard events. However, we are looking to have them focus on the platform discipline from now on.
"We also have the option of fielding Dhabitah in the platform event in the future.
"Dhabitah, 24, has proven to be a versatile diver who is adept in both the springboard and platform disciplines.
