Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January 5, 2022: The Olympic Council of Malaysia marked the end of an era as two members of the multi-talented women’s national diving team announced their retirement on Tuesday, January 4.
Cheong Jun Hoong, FINA world champion on the 10m platform at Budapest 2017, and five-time Olympian Leong Mun Yee have decided to retire from international competition after medal-filled careers.
The OCM recorded its “heartfelt appreciation” to both divers and wished them all success in their retirement.
Referring to Cheong Jun Hoong, the OCM stated: “Throughout her 20-year career she participated in seven SEA Games from 2003 to 2017, two Asian Games in 2010 and 2014, four consecutive Commonwealth Games from 2006 to 2018 and three consecutive Olympic Games: London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.”
Cheong, 31, won Olympic Games silver at Rio 2016 in the 10m synchro with Pandelela Rinong as well as one Commonwealth Games gold, two silver and one bronze in the Asian Games and seven gold, one silver and three bronze in the SEA Games.
According to her FINA profile, Cheong won 34 medals in FINA events and the Olympic Games comprised of seven gold, 14 silver and 13 bronze medals, despite an injury-plagued career.
Regarding Leong Mun Yee, 37, the OCM commented: “Throughout her 24-year career she participated in 10 consecutive SEA Games from 1999 to 2017, five Asian Games from 2002 to 2018, five consecutive Commonwealth Games from 2002 to 2018 and five Olympic Games: Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.”
In addition to her one silver and two bronze medals at FINA World Championships, Leong also won one silver and two bronze in the Commonwealth Games, two silver and five bronze in the Asian Games and 17 gold, five silver and five bronze in the SEA Games.
According to her FINA profile, Leong won 25 medals in FINA events and the Olympic Games comprised of two gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze. She was 15 years old on her Olympic debut at Sydney 2000 and 36 on her fifth and final appearance at Tokyo 2020 last summer.
