KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — Age is no barrier for national diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong to challenge for honours at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, with her wealth of experience among her main strengths, according to her coach.

Ooi Tze Liang said Pandelela still showed hunger for success and could deliver her best performance at the Games if her physical fitness was at the optimal level.

“In terms of experience, I am very confident. Now we need to maintain her physical condition and preparations to improve her performance at the Asian Games.

“This time, we will have a training camp in China and we are confident it will improve her physical, mental and overall condition. We will help and work with her as much as we can to improve her performance,” he said when met recently.

Pandelela, 33, is the most experienced diver in the national squad and will compete in the women’s 10-metre platform event at the Games, which will be held from September 19 to October 4.

“The motivation is always there for every athlete who wants to go to the Asian Games. We need to trust the process, be consistent and have confidence. That is the most important thing.

“I understand her better because I have fought alongside her. I have known her since she was nine or 10 years old, and now I am her coach. I know what she needs and how I can provide the right kind of assistance,” said Tze Liang, a former national diver.

He urged Pandelela not to dwell too much on negative opinions from outsiders, including comments on social media questioning her age.

“As a professional athlete, she needs to have the wisdom to deal with this kind of situation. Focus on the present and what needs to be done. Let the rest go, because it is beyond her control,” he said.

Tze Liang said Pandelela could also have a positive influence on the younger athletes who are also preparing for the Asian Games.

Besides Pandelela, Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj will also compete in the women’s 10m platform event, while Yong Rui Jie will compete in the men’s 3m springboard event.

Eilisha Rania and Rui Jie will be making their Asian Games debuts, making Pandelela’s experience an important asset in the squad’s preparations.

For Tze Liang, his main target is not solely about winning medals, but ensuring his athletes maintain consistency in training and show progress from day to day.

“My target is consistency in training. I want what we do every day to be repeated and for there to be progression. If there is consistency, I believe there must be a bonus,” he said. — Bernama