PETALING JAYA: Malaysian diving will have bigger representation in the Fina Diving World Series after Huang Qiang and Bryan Nickson Lomas joined Olympics bronze medalist Pandelela Rinong Pamg in breaking into the top five in the world rankings, reported The Star.

Pandelela, the Sportswoman of the Year, jumped two rungs to fourth in the women’s 10m platform world rankings with 38.00 points - thanks to her feat in London last month.

Just slightly ahead of Pandelela is Russia’s Yulia Koltunova on 38.33 points. The Russian was the bronze medallist at the London World Cup in February but was placed fifth in the Olympics.

World Championships silver medallist Hu Yadan of China retained her second spot on 39.00 points despite a disappointing outing at the Olympics where she finished ninth.

Her teammate Chen Ruolin strengthened her top position on 43.33 after retaining her Olympics title.

Pandelela is guaranteed a third successive appearance in the prestigious World Series, which is only reserved for the top eight in the world and comprises of four legs.

The world rankings, which only takes into account the top three performances over the past 12 months, will remain unchanged as there will be no more events organized by Fina until the new season starts in February next year.

The men’s 3m springboard synchro pairing of Huang Qiang-Bryan Nickson Lomas have also qualified for the world meet for the first time after vaulting two rungs to fifth spot on 39.67 points.

Also tied for fourth are United States (39.67) behind Ukraine (40.00), Russia (42.00) and China (43.33).

Huang Qiang-Bryan were paired together in February this year and make an immediate impact by claiming bronze at the London World Cup to qualify for the Olympics.

Back-to-back victories in the World Grand Prix legs in Canada and United States prior to the Olympics saw them breaking into the top 10 in the world rankings.

The pair failed to sparkle at the Olympics, however, as they were placed last out of the eight pairs who took part.

Malaysia are set to have representation in the synchro events for women’s 10m platform and 3m springboard for the world diving series as they are ranked seventh respectively.

Pandelela will have her regular partner Leong Mun Yee for the 10m platform synchro but will formed a new partnership with Cheong Jun Hoong for the 3m springboard synchro.

However, it is up to head coach Yang Zhuliang to decide on whom to enter for the women synchro disciplines as Mun Yee has indicated she wants to take a break for two years to finish her university studies.

Mun Yee is now 27 but has put off her studies for the last few years to concentrate on the sport.

“We will decide when the time comes. It’s good Malaysia have better representation in the diving world series as that is a reflection of our continued progress," said Zhuliang.

"It affirms what people say of Malaysia during the Olympics as the most improved diving team this year.”

Pandelela and Mun Yee were the only representatives for the series last year.

Pandelela made the country proud by finishing runners-up behind Ruolin in the overall standings last year.

- mD