Rafiq gives masterclass show to win gold in Asian bowling meet
Rafiq (Left) with coach Holloway Cheah at the SCAA Bowling Centre in Hong Kong.
PETALING JAYA: A masterful show on the final day saw youngster Rafiq Ismail came from nowhere to claim the men’s Masters gold at the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships (ATBC) in Hong Kong.
The 19-year-old Malaysian, lying 10th after the first block of eight games on Tuesday, sensationally stormed back to finish second with a 3,681 total to make the three-man step-ladder playoffs.
And he went on become the second Malaysian – after Adrian Ang in 2008 – to win the event by beating top seed Michael Mak of Hong Kong 197-159 and 214-203 in the final at the SCAA Bowling Centre on Wednesday.
Earlier in the semi-final, Rafiq edged Japan’s Shogo Wada 203-198.
Rafiq’s victory was Malaysia’s third in the championships. The other two golds came from Timmy Tan in the men’s singles and Sin Li Jane-Esther Cheah in the women’s doubles.
“It was a sweet ending, given how I struggled throughout the tournament,” said Rafiq, who only managed two bronzes – in the doubles and team of five – before his triumph.
“I have to thank Holloway (Cheah, the head coach) for his advice during the step-ladder matches. He told me to change my ball and it worked really well.
“I’m happy to prevail in the tense final. It’s always difficult to play against an opponent in his own backyard.
“Winning my first ATBC gold is something I will treasure for a long time,” added Rafiq, who won two silvers in his debut in Bangkok last year.
Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek and Timmy Tan were the other Malaysian representatives in the 16-man Finals. Syafiq was sixth with a 3,551 total while Timmy was placed 13th on 3,258.
None of the five Malaysian women advanced to the stepladder playoffs.
Victoria Chin was the best performer in sixth place on 3,400. Veteran Shalin Zulkifli failed to hold on her overnight third spot to end up seventh on 3,383. Li Jane, last year’s bronze medallist, was 10th on 3,314 followed by Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi (13th; 3,249) and Esther Cheah (16th; 3,192).
Besides the three golds, Malaysia also clinched two silvers and four bronzes to finish second behind South Korea (3-4-2) in the overall medal tally. Hong Kong were third with a 3-1-2 haul.
MASTERS RESULTS
*Malaysia unless stated
Men (after 16 games): 1. Michael Mak (Hkg) 3691, 2. Rafiq Ismail 3681, 3. Shogo Wada (Jpn) 3655, 4. Wu Siu Hong (Hkg) 3625, 5. Tomoyuki Sasaki (Jpn) 3555, 6. Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek 3551, 7. Sam Cooley (Aus) 3492, 8. Kang Hee-won (Kor) 3466, 9. Mostafa Al-Mousawi (Kuw) 3434, 10. Yuhi Shinbata (Jpn) 3432, 11. Kim Bolleby (Tha) 3402, 12. Hong Hae-sol (Kor) 3293, 13. Timmy Tan 3258, 14. Keith Guerrero (Gum) 3215, 15. Lau Kwun Ho (Hkg) 1538, 16. Lachlan Merchant (Aus) 3031.
Stepladder playoffs
Semi-final: Rafiq Ismail bt Shogo Wada (Jpn) 203-198.
Final: Rafiq Ismail bt Michael Mak (Hkg) 197-159, 214-203.
Women (after 16 games): 1. Baek Seung-ja (Kor) 3794, 2. Jung Da-wun (Kor) 3741, 3. Jasmine Yeong-Nathan (Sin) 3519, 4. Liza Del Rosario (Phi) 3462, 5. Joey Yeo (Sin) 3410, 6. Victoria Chin 3400, 7. Shalin Zulkifli 3383, 8. Rebecca Voukolos (Aus) 3333, 9. Wang Ya-ting (Tpe) 3316, 10. Sin Li Jane 3314, 11. Chou Chia-chen (Tpe) 3293, 12. Mirai Ishimoto (Jpn) 3293, 13. Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi 3249, 14. Daphne Tan (Sin) 3249, 15. Jeon Eun-hee (Kor) 3237, 16. Esther Cheah 3192.
Stepladder playoffs
Semi-final: Jung Da-wun (Kor) bt Jasmine Yeong-Nathan (Sin) 224-177.
Final: Jung Da-wun (Kor) bt Baek Seung-ja (Kor) 213-170, 227-194.
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