<p><span>National sports icon Cheong Jun Hoong reflects on his Olympic journey, life beyond the Games, the champion mentality that defines her, and the bittersweet decision to bid farewell to her athletic career.</span></p>

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      <p><span>Cheong Jun Hoong is a Malaysian gem &ndash; a globally celebrated diver adorned with numerous accolades. From clinching a Silver Medal at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics to becoming Malaysia&rsquo;s inaugural diving world champion at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships in the fiercely competitive 10m platform event, she has left an indelible mark on the sport. Yet, after dedicating 22 years to mastering the art of diving on the international stage, she now stands at the threshold of a new chapter in her journey.<br /><br /></span><em style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>Balancing your diving career while completing your degree in communication alongside other life responsibilities must have been challenging. How did you manage it all, and what kept you motivated during those times?<br /></strong></em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Balancing my diving career with getting my communication degree was tough but totally worth it. It took me ten years, and good time management was key. I had to create schedules to juggle training, studying, classes, and other </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">stuff to make sure I kept moving forward. Support from my coaches, professors, family, and friends made a huge difference. Their encouragement and help kept me going when things got rough. My passion for both diving and my studies kept me motivated. Thinking about the long-term benefits of finishing my degree and improving my diving helped me stay focused. In the end, determination and a positive attitude were what got me through.<br /><br /><em style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>While winning is undoubtedly the highlight of the game, intense training is the demanding counterpart. What aspect of your training regime do you like the least, and why?<br /></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Intense training is demanding but necessary for success in any sport. While I&rsquo;m passionate and dedicated, there are parts I don&rsquo;t enjoy. One thing I really dislike is the monotony of certain drills. Training can get repetitive and boring, especially with basic skills or conditioning. Even though it&rsquo;s tedious, I know repetition is crucial, so I </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">push through. Injuries and setbacks are also tough to deal with. They&rsquo;re not just painful; they mess up my training routine and progress, which is frustrating. Taking a break to recover is hard when I&rsquo;m eager to improve. Despite these challenges, I know every part of training, even the boring or frustrating bits, helps me grow. I try to stay focused on the big picture and my ultimate goal of success, even when things get tough.</span></p>
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      <p><span><em><strong>Can you recall the first diving competition you participated in? When was that, and how did you feel at that time?</strong></em><br /></span><span>My first diving competition held a special place in my heart as it marked the start of my journey in the sport. It was a local event at the Shah Alam community pool when I was about 10 years old. I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement leading up to it. Diving in front of judges and spectators for the first time was intimidating, but I was eager to show what I&rsquo;d been practising. Once I was in the air, the nerves faded, and I was fully immersed in the moment. The thrill of slicing through the water and nailing my dives was incredible. Afterwards, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride, no matter the outcome. That experience ignited my passion for diving and motivated me to keep competing. Looking back, that first competition was a pivotal moment that set me on a path toward many more competitions and achievements in the sport.<br /><br /></span><em><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Reflecting on it now, how do you feel about the numerous achievements you&rsquo;ve unlocked?<br /></span></strong></em><span>Reflecting on my achievements in diving fills me with deep gratitude and pride. Each milestone represents years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, as well as the unwavering support of my coaches, behind-the-scenes staff, friends, and family. Every victory, big or small, showcases my resilience, determination, and passion for the sport. From my first local competition to representing my country on the world stage, each achievement marks a step forward in my journey as an athlete and as a person. These milestones remind me of the obstacles I&rsquo;ve overcome and the growth I&rsquo;ve experienced. They motivate me to keep pushing my limits, striving for excellence, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">and pursuing my goals with determination. Achievements aren&rsquo;t just about personal success; they&rsquo;re also about the relationships built, the lessons learned, and the impact made on others. I&rsquo;m grateful for the opportunities to inspire and mentor younger athletes, promote diving, and contribute to my community. Ultimately, my achievements in diving are more than medals or records; they reflect my journey, passion, and commitment to greatness both in and out of the pool.</span></p>
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      <p style="text-align: center;"><span>"Achievements aren&rsquo;t just about personal success; they&rsquo;re also about the relationships built, the lessons learned, and the impact made on others."</span></p>
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      <p><span><strong><em>What do you appreciate the most about yourself?</em></strong><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">One thing I really appreciate about myself is my resilience. Life is full of challenges, setbacks, and obstacles, but I&rsquo;ve developed a strong ability to bounce back. Whether it&rsquo;s dealing with failures, injuries, or tough situations, I&rsquo;ve learned to persevere and stay focused on my goals. This resilience has helped me overcome obstacles, grow from setbacks, and become stronger and more determined. I also appreciate my passion and dedication. When I set my mind to something, whether it&rsquo;s diving, academics, or anything else, I go after it with full commitment and enthusiasm. This passion drives me to strive for excellence and make a positive impact in everything I do. Overall, I&rsquo;m grateful for these qualities and how they&rsquo;ve shaped me. They&rsquo;ve been crucial in my achievements and have helped me handle life&rsquo;s ups and downs with determination and grace.</span></p>
      <p><em><strong>As we approach the Paris Games next month, what message do you have for our national team? Additionally, do you have any words of advice for the younger generation of athletes who are striving for success in the sports world?<br /></strong></em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">As the Paris Games approach, I want to express my utmost support and encouragement to our national team. Representing our country on the world stage is a tremendous honour and privilege, and I know each of you has worked tirelessly to reach this moment. Believe in yourselves, trust your training, and compete with heart and determination. Remember, you are not just athletes but ambassadors for our nation, inspiring countless others with your performances. No matter the outcome, know that the entire nation is behind you, cheering you on every step of the way.</span></p>
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Icons Unveiled: Cheong Jun Hoong has stories to tell

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