Pandelela Rinong: Olympic medalist, wannabe cheerleader and KPop fangirl

In another life, Pandelela Rinong might have become a cheerleader.
But fate had other plans for her; Pandelela's talent on the diving springboard meant she sacrificed girlhood dreams of short skirts and pom poms and became a diver instead.
But, one bronze medal-winning Olympic adventure later, Pandelela finds herself the darling of a nation with 28 million Malaysians playing the role of cheerleader for her instead.

"When I used to be in school, the other kids would get to go for co-curricular activities after classes.
"But I couldn't do that because of my diving training. I couldn't join activities like the Girl Guides and cheerleading," says a wistful Pandelela in an interview with Yahoo! Malaysia on Tuesday, hours after returning from the London Olympics.

"If I hadn't taken up diving, I would have probably still been a student with wild ambitions. Like, like, like...something adventurous. A cheerleader!"

But, when speaking about the reality of being a medal-winning Olympian, Pandelela's focus is clear and precise.
"As a Malaysian, it's an honour to have won the medal. Now, my responsibility is to win more," she says, during the interview, which was organised by Procter & Gamble as part of their Thank You Mom campaign for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Her Olympic victory was unexpected, as the event Malaysia was hoping to get a medal in was the Women's 10m synchronised platform. Instead, that fizzled out and it was Pandelela's 10m platform individual event that brought home the bronze instead.

Training is "hell"

What is the secret of her success?
The pint-sized diver attributes it to hard work and a little luck. However, during the course of the conversation, it's clear that for Pandelela, it's more hard work than luck. Even on the back of her latest success, training comes first.
"I wanted a three-month holiday. But my coach is strict and he only gave me two weeks off. No more off days," she says.

Her regular daily routine consists of waking up, eating, training, taking a nap and training some more.
When somebody jokes that it sounds like a baby's life with all that eating and napping, Pandelela bursts out laughing.
"A baby's life is heaven! Training is hell!" she says.

And it is this same work ethic that she prescribes to anybody who wants to attain success in life.
"Whether its sports or otherwise, if you like it, continue doing it no matter how many obstacles you face. Remain strong," she advises.

As for herself, Pandelela's plan is 'to survive training for the next four years'.
"I've thought about pursuing my studies, but my coach doesn't support that," she says, adding that she may look at going into coaching as well, once she has 'enjoyed everything first'.

One might be forgiven for thinking this driven young lady is the 'all work and no play' type. But there is a playful side to Pandelela as well.

Asked about her interests and hobbies, she lists music, movies and hanging out with her friends.
She's a huge KPop fan (her favourite band is boyband Big Bang) and her favourite movie is The Avengers.
"I don't like Batman. He's too serious! I like Spiderman. Spiderman is funny," she says.

And like most Malaysians, the 19-year-old's favourite food is rice.
Pandelela's mother, Hartini Lamim, who is also at the interview, says she cooks Pandelela's favourite sambal petai whenever Pandelela goes home to Sarawak. Her father, meanwhile, catches fresh fish for his daughter and takes her swimming in nearby rivers.


Not used to the trappings of fame


Trips home are few and far between, though, due to the youngster's busy training and competition schedule. Her busy life in Kuala Lumpur has caused her to lose touch with many of her childhood friends in Sarawak and her circle of companions these days are mainly fellow athletes.

Asked if she has a boyfriend, Pandelela blushes and bows her head before squeaking out a negative. But, when prodded, she does admit to having 'a few' admirers.

Pandelela (centre) with her mum Hartini Lamim and her dad Pamg Joheng.She says she hasn't gotten used to the trappings of fame yet. While she's 'okay' with posing for pictures on request, she's still not used to giving interviews.

"I'm very shy when I talk to 'superior' people, but I'm really happy when people approach me and talk to me. I also like to take the LRT, just to see what people wear," she says.

Pandelela, whose nickname at home is Nonong (Calm), may still be shy and unfamiliar with the limelight, but her parents are basking in her glory. When asked if she brought her bronze medal along to the interview, Pandelela says she didn't. However, her mum plucks it out of her handbag and passes it around to general oohs and aahs from the media.

"We're waiting for her to come home. We're organising a kenduri (feast) in our village and are looking forward to celebrating with her," Hartini says.