Patience Pays For Pandelela

KUCHING: Olympic bronze medallist Pandelela Rinong Pamg’s road to the podium was nothing short of arduous.

The 19-year-old Bidayuh from Bau near here cried her heart out when she was reprimanded by her coach following her performance in the women’s 10m platform synchro event. She partnered Leong Mun Yee.

She was not angry. Instead it motivated her to make amends and she did just that during the women’s 10m individual platform.

When the ripples settled at the Aquatics Centre in London, Pandelela became the first Malaysian woman to win a medal in the Olympics, and the first medallist in an Olympic event other than badminton.

A father's joy: Pamg receiving a call from a friend congratulating him on his daughter's bronze medal achievement at the London Olympics. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

“She called me from London to tell me that she was scolded by her coach and she cried, but I advised her to be patient.

“I also advised her to try hard to win a medal in her individual event and I’m proud that she did just that,” Pandelela’s father Pamg Joheng toldThe Star yesterday.

He said starting from the preliminary round of the 10m individual platform event, he had been praying for his daughter’s success.

“I prayed every hour to ask God to show my daughter the winning way and thankfully, my prayers have been answered. I also told her to call me every time she wanted to make her jump,” he said.

“I’m very happy and very proud of her achievement. She has already fulfilled her dream to win an Olympic medal although it wasn’t gold.

“I’m thankful that she has won the bronze. I want every Malaysian to be thankful also because it’s not easy to compete against world-class divers.

“To qualify for the Olympic Games is also not easy,” said Pamg.

Pandelela called him early yesterday soon after she won the bronze.

“She was so happy although before the final, she also called me, saying that she was tired after the semi-finals.

“And I believe she won a medal because all Malaysians had prayed very hard for her success. As her father, I would like to thank all Malaysians for their support and prayers,” said Pamg.

However, Pandelela’s mother, who went to London on Aug 4, did not get the chance to see her daughter jump in the final as she had already left London at the time.

Pamg, when asked why his wife left early, said her trip to London was sponsored by Dutch Lady, which also arranged her schedule.