2014 YOG: Loh springs surprise by winning silver in diving

National woman diver Loh Zhiayi did the unexpected when she won a silver medal in the 10m platform individual event at the Youth Olympic Games 2014 (YOG 2014) here Saturday.

No medal target had been set for the national youth diving squad, but Loh collected 450.65 points to take the silver while China's diver Wu Shenping took the gold after scoring 526.20 points, and the silver went to Orozco Loza Alejandra from Mexico, with 430.25 points.

Loh said initially, she felt pressured to retain the silver won by national diving queen Pandelela Rinong in the same event at the first edition of YOG in Singapore in 2010.

"In the heats, I did my best but I was left far behind in points by the Chinese diver in the final.

"But I did not give up and tried hard to be better than the Mexican who was close behind," she told Bernama here.

Loh said she was happy to have contributed the second medal for the Malaysian contingent after youth badminton player Cheam June Wei won gold in the international mixed doubles event yesterday (Friday).

"I wish to award this silver to all the people of my country, Malaysia," said the 16-year-old.

Meanwhile, the head of the Malaysian contingent, Wong Pei Tty said she was proud of the earnestness shown by the national youth athletes despite no medal target set for them.

"However, my personal target has been three medals regardless of the colour, so I hope for another medal or more from our athletes after Loh's win," she said.