IPOH, Sept 2 — Olympic silver medalist Cheong Jun Hoong returned to a subdued homecoming with only a handful of relatives and family members present to receive her at Ipoh train station yesterday.
Arriving via Electric Train Service from Kuala Lumpur at about 1pm, she was met by parents Cheong Sun Meng, 54, mother, Leow Lai Kun, 50, and sister Cheong Jun Yeong, 23 and several other relatives.
“I’m excited to be back and want to spend as much time as I can with my family before returning to Bukit Jalil Sports School on Monday,” said Jun Hoong, who can’t wait to tuck into famous Ipoh delicacies.
“Top on the list is dim sum followed by white coffee. I have a list of food I want to eat but it will depend on how much my stomach can take,” she giggled.
The petite 26-year-old has to be careful not to overeat as she will be competing in the Asian Championships in Tokyo in November.
Since returning to Malaysia on August 24 after winning a silver medal with Pandelela Rinong in the 10m platform synchronised event at the Rio Olympics, Jun Hoong has been busy giving interviews about her experience.
They are the first Malaysian women to win a silver medal in the Olympics.
“I have been asked to give a talk to pupils of my alma mater SJK (C) Yuk Choy (today),” she said.
On the absence of officials from Perak Sports Council to greet her, Jun Hoong played it down.
“I am not sure why they did not turn up. My sister did inform them. Maybe they are looking for a suitable time,” she said.
She said officials from the council called her on Merdeka eve to take part in the state Merdeka Day celebration.
“But I rejected the offer as I was involved with the National Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka,” she said.
