Pandelela Rinong Pamg

Pandelela Rinong Pamg, born on March 2, 1993, in Bau, Sarawak, Malaysia, embarked on her illustrious diving career at the age of seven when she was selected as a state diver. Her formative training took place at the Bukit Jalil Sports School. Pandelela is of Bidayuh ethnicity and is multilingual, speaking Mandarin, Bidayuh, Malay, and English. Her Olympic debut came at age 15 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she competed in the 10m platform event. This early start paved the way for a career marked by numerous historic achievements, solidifying her status as a national sporting icon.

Throughout her career, Pandelela Rinong Pamg has achieved significant milestones, including becoming the first Malaysian female athlete to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze in the 10m platform at the 2012 London Olympics. She continued her Olympic success by earning a silver medal in the 10m synchronized platform at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics alongside Cheong Jun Hoong. These Olympic distinctions are complemented by her seven World Championships medals and multiple gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Southeast Asian Games. Her dedication to the sport is exemplified by her consistent performance in international competitions, including a gold medal at the 2021 FINA Diving World Cup in Tokyo within the 10m platform event. Her influence extends beyond her athletic performance; in 2018, the Sarawak Aquatic Centre was renamed the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in her honor. She graduated from the University of Malaya in 2018 with a degree in Sports Management Science, demonstrating her commitment to both her athletic pursuits and academic development. In 2021, she was conferred the title “Dato” by the Sarawak State.

Pandelela’s career progression has seen her evolve from a young debutante to a national icon, inspiring many. She has spoken about the unique pressures of being a Malaysian athlete and has sought advice from fellow sporting legends like Nicol David. Beyond diving, she has explored new interests, including financial investment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing challenges such as illness and injuries, she continues to perform at an elite level, drawing inspiration from other divers. Looking to the future, Pandelela has expressed interest in high diving and plans to follow her former diving partner, Leong Mun Yee, into coaching and potentially running a diving academy after her competitive career concludes.