KUALA LUMPUR — Just a day after securing three podium finishes in the men’s singles at the Asian Bowling Championships in Bangkok, the Malaysian national bowlers produced a clean sweep of gold medals today in the doubles events.
National youth bowler Shaqeem Izwan Teh Shahrul Hafiz Teh passed his main event test with flying colours, teaming up with former world champion Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam to clinch the men’s doubles gold at the Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin. The duo amassed a six-game total of 2,647 pinfalls.
The Malaysian pair finished ahead of two South Korean combinations, Park Dong Hyuk and Bae Jung Hun (2,615), as well as Lee Ik Kyu and Hwang Dong Wook (2,596) who claimed the silver and the bronze respectively.
In the women’s doubles, reigning world champion Natasha Roslan and Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Player of the Year Sin Li Jane proved unstoppable, storming to a total of 2,614 pinfalls to claim gold.
Their fellow Malaysians Nur Syazwani Sahar and Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal took bronze with a score of 2,450, finishing behind South Korea’s Jung Da Wun and Baek Seung Ja (2,510), who took silver.
Li Jane, the second most senior bowler in the squad, expressed her delight to Scoop, especially given her current form after returning from the PWBA Tour, where she claimed four titles: the Bowlers Journal Rockford, Greater Nashville Classic, US Women’s Open, and the Tour Championship.
“I’m glad to have performed well today. I felt really good on the lanes and had fun bowling,” said Li Jane.
“As for Natasha, we’ve been bowling together for a while now, and we know each other very well.”
Meanwhile, Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) secretary-general Maradona Chok was thrilled with the team’s performance, with three gold medals secured in just two days of competition.
Asia’s number one bowler, Rafiq Ismail, had earlier claimed the men’s singles gold on Wednesday.
“A superb performance from the team, proving we are truly world-class,” said a jubilant Maradona.
“Shaqeem, as a member of the national youth squad, winning gold alongside his senior teammates shows the depth we have in our squad. This is what MTBC is all about—maintaining continuity and bringing our young talents through the ranks.
“In the women’s event, reigning world champion Natasha and PWBA Player of the Year Jane dominating the doubles shows that we have some of the best bowlers in the world here in Southeast Asia,” he added.
The Asian Championships continue tomorrow with the trios event.
Malaysia’s best haul at the Asian Championships was in 2019, with six golds, one silver, and three bronze medals. Last year, the team secured four golds, five silvers, and three bronzes. — September 19, 2024