Pandelela Snatches Bronze In Tight Contest - London Olympic Games

Pandelela, Chen Ruolin (center) from China and silver medalist, Brittany Broben from Australia with their medal - BH

LONDON: Malaysia's ace diver Pandelela Rinong snatched the bronze medal in a closely contested and dramatic women's individual 10 meter platform action at the Aquatics Centre this morning.

The 19-year-old Pandelela, who started unconvincingly, fought back strongly to earn a creditable third spot with 359.20 points to the jubilation of her teammates and team officials.

It was a tight and interesting fight for the silver and bronze medal among nine divers in a final where 12 divers participated.

Defending champion and world champion Chen Ruolin, 19, was in a class of her own winning the gold with a massive 422.30 points.

Australia's 16-year-old Brittany Broben won the silver with 366.50 points.

Pandelela also created history with her bronze as this was the first time that Malaysia have won a medal at the Olympics besides badminton which was first introduced at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Badminton ace Lee Chong Wei had earlier won the silver in men's singles in the London Games when he lost to bitter rival China's Lin Dan in the final last Sunday. - MalaysianDigest