Rio 2016: Malaysia eyes five more medals

The highly spirited Malaysian athletes are all charged up to deliver another five medals after diving pair Pandelela Rining and Cheong Jun Hoong broke the medal drought at the Rio Olympic Games here.

The silver medal in the women's synchronised 10m platform event yesterday has sparked off a renewed spirit for the contingent to review their medal prospects in the diving, badminton and cycling.

Deputy Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said he is confident and believed there is more to come from diving, badminton and keirin specialist Azizulhasni Awang.

He said based on current performance, there is high hope for badminton to contribute two medals through Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the singles, and another one in the doubles event.

In diving, he said, Pandelela and Jun Hoong have a bright chance in their individual 10m platform and 3m springboard respectively.

Saravanan, who visited the Games Village here on Wednesday, said he was satisfied with the performances of the 32-athlete team for Rio, but expressed disappointment with archery.

The archery men's recurve trio failed to live up to expectation after making an early exit today with top archer Khairul Anuar Mohamad failing to qualify for the individual round of 16.

The team also ranked bottom among 12 countries in the ranking qualifying round and was knock-out by France in the first round.

On his visit to Rio, Saravanan said he was here to throw support for the team and at the same time to observe the facilities provided by the host country in staging the biggest sporting show on earth.

"I am impressed with the facilities by the host nation for the Olympic family. Despite facing economic crisis, the country has given the best for the athletes," he said.

He said certain facilities such as transportation for the Olympic family is excellent as dedicated lanes are made for buses and cars ferrying athletes and officials to venues and back to the Games Village.

He said such facilities and others are noted and would be discussed among the ministry officials as Malaysia would be hosting the SEA Games next year.

Meanwhile, chef-de-mission, Tan Sri Mohamad Al Amin Abdul Majid, who accompanied Saravanan for the Games Village tour, said he expected all the athletes to give their best in their respective events.

There will be some disappointment because of various reasons, but certainly qualifying for the Olympics is already an achievement, he said.

So far, the archery, weightlifting and shooting have completed their mission in Rio.

Following is the list of Malaysian athletes in action at the Rio Olympic Games here on Wednesday (Thursday in Malaysia). ARCHERY: Elimination Round (Individual) - Khairul Anuar Mohamad - 9.13am/8.13pm M'sian time - Muhammad Akmal Nor Hasrin - 3.13pm/2.13am M'sian time - Haziq Kamaruddin - 4.18pm/3.18am M'sian time SAILING: Race 5 & 6 Men's Laser Standard - Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy - 1.05pm/12.05am M'sian time Women's Radial - Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif - 1.15pm/12.15am M'sian time SHOOTING: Men's 50m Air Pistol Qualification: Johnathan Wong Guanjie - 9am/8pm M'sian time.