Cover A proud Sarawakian woman, Pandelela Rinong is seen here wearing her traditional Bidayuh outfit, typically worn during Gawai celebrations
A proud Sarawakian woman, Pandelela Rinong is seen here wearing her traditional Bidayuh outfit, typically worn during Gawai celebrations
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Pandelela Rinong opens up on being named the national unity icon, competing on an Olympic scale in her 30s, and the pressures of being an athlete
Before Dato’ Pandelela Rinong was appointed the national unity icon by the Ministry of National Unity, the plan remained a closely guarded secret. Initially invited to become a board member of the Student Volunteers Foundation (Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa), the Road to Gold athlete was taken by surprise when the Minister of National Unity, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, unexpectedly revealed her new role in parliament.
Reflecting on the announcement, Pandelela remarked, “The minister suddenly announced [my appointment] in parliament, and even the YSS organisation personnel were shocked. Although it was a surprise, I am still honoured and proud to be the national unity icon.”
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Above Pandelela wears a Tory Burch dress
Pandelela wears a Tory Burch dress
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Pandelela, an ethnic Sarawakian Bidayuh with quadrilingual fluency, personifies the diverse culture of Malaysia. “To me, unity means that everyone can mix despite differences in race, with tolerance and understanding of each other’s cultures and beliefs,” she says.
She seamlessly communicates and integrates herself into various settings at home or abroad, attributing this adaptability to her father’s proactive efforts in shaping her pluralistic identity. Pandelela mentions, “He said that it’s important to learn another language,” referring to Mandarin. She shares that her father relocated their family from Bau to Kuching so she could attend a Chinese primary school. The SJK (C) Stampin graduate also knows English and Malay, attributing her language skills to constant engagement with other speakers of these languages around her.
Above Pandelela was appointed the national unity icon by the Ministry of National Unity last year
Pandelela was appointed the national unity icon by the Ministry of National Unity last year
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Pandelela regards her unique Malaysian identity as a strength that shines on the international stage, a sentiment shared by her fellow teammates. “Our athletes are open to change and easily adapt to new environments. We also get to impress others. For example, I can communicate with the Chinese athletes in their language. When the European divers hear it, they are impressed in seeing how multilingual Malaysians can be,” she elaborates with pride.
As the national unity icon, Pandelela aspires to inspire Malaysians to celebrate their differences while making history for the nation through her sporting achievements. Reflecting on this, she says, “Because we have grown up with different races in our country, we have had every chance to learn about each other beyond just language. We know about each other’s celebrations and the history of our cultures. I think that makes us special.”
Turning 31 in March, Pandelela also shares her evolving perspective as an older athlete, emphasising the importance of training smarter by leveraging her sports science knowledge and years of experience. Recognising slower recovery times, she stresses the significance of listening to her body to avoid burnout. “I used to think of myself as being like a robot when I was younger, but as I grow older, I think I’m becoming more like a human being,” she jokes. With a wealth of experience, she views losses as lessons, and advises, “If you trust in God, whatever is meant for you will always be yours.”
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Above Malaysia’s national unity icon speaks four languages fluently
Malaysia’s national unity icon speaks four languages fluently
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Acknowledging the less glamorous side of being an athlete, especially when aiming for the Olympics, Pandelela reveals the constant pressure and stress that come with the territory. “The expectations I put on myself exceed what others expect of me. People typically expect results from me when there’s a competition on the horizon, but I set personal expectations every day.”
Admitting to having injured herself while pushing to the limits in training, Pandelela shares, “The fear of getting injured is far greater than losing.” Moreover, chasing gold can be an isolating experience. “Often, you struggle alone because the only ones who can relate are your inner circle of coaches and teammates. Those outside may not understand the extent of the challenges and pressure during training sessions and competitions.”
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Above Pandelela regards her unique Malaysian identity as a strength
Pandelela regards her unique Malaysian identity as a strength
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Pandelela went in with high hopes to the Doha World Aquatics Championships in February, the last qualifier for the Paris Olympic Games. Although falling short of securing a place in the women’s 10m platform individual and synchronised events with Nur Dhabitah Sabri, the national diving queen is determined to make a strong comeback.
The Sarawakian debuted at Beijing 2008 and remains the first Malaysian woman to win an Olympic medal for the nation when she took home bronze in the 10m individual event at the London 2012 Olympics, followed by a silver medal in the 10m platform synchronised diving at Rio 2016. Committed to doing what she loves, Pandelela recognises the importance of optimism in the face of disappointment. “Sometimes, when you think about the future too much, you forget to breathe in and enjoy the present.”
Credits
Photography: Fady Younis
Hair: Joey Yap
Make-Up: Joey Yap
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