Cheong overshadows Chinese divers to create history for Malaysia at the worlds

Cheong Jun Hoong of Malaysia reacts after the women's 10m platform final of Diving at the 17th FINA World Championships at Duna Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on July 19, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

BUDAPEST - Cheong Jun Hoong grabbed the spotlight of the diving event at the 17th FINA World Championships here on Wednesday, becoming the first ever Malaysian diver to win the world champion. China's Si Yajie and Ren Qian had to sit second and third respectively.

China once again lost the gold after 2015 in Kazan, where Kim Kuk Hyang of the DPR Korea turned around the table in the last dive to get past Ren.

Ren sat atop the ranking after two dives, while snatching 64.35 points for the 207C move in the third round.

Cheong, however, got into the winning track with the match going on, as she took on 81.60 points for the third attempt to lead all 12 divers and won the event at 397.50 points with stable performance in the next two rounds.

"I really didn't think that I will finish first. Maybe top 3," said a smiling Cheong.

"I didn't even see the scoreboard because I really needed to focus on every dive. That's why I ignored the scoreboard. After the last dive, when I came out and saw my top ranking, I was kind of shocked." she added.

Si finished runner-up, 1.50 points adrift Cheong. Ren, who have claimed two golds in synchronized platform in the Hungarian capital, was placed third at 391.95.

"I was satisfied with my performance in other two events, while feeling kind of disappointed with today's result," said the 16-year-old Ren. "Cheong did really well today."

For Si, who got the title in 2013 but just finished fourth in 2015, admitted that Cheong's performance in the final was just beyond her expectation.

"My performance was normal, but I lacked a little luck today," she pointed out.