From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
GLASGOW, Scotland: National lawn bowls head coach, Fairul Izwan Abdul Muin, did not achieve his dream of standing on the Commonwealth Games podium in the men’s singles when he was a player.
However, that dream was finally realised through his protege, Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple, who won the silver medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Malaysian to win a medal in the men’s singles event at the Games.
The achievement was especially meaningful for Fairul Izwan, who represented Malaysia in the men’s singles, including at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he finished fourth.
“I said this after the 2022 Commonwealth Games when I was with Izzat. I never imagined that what I told him then would come true here.
“I told him, ‘Izzat, back in Malaysia, you always beat Abang Boy. If you watched how Abang Boy played in Birmingham, with your style of play, you can go further than Abang Boy ever did’,” said Fairul Izwan (Abang Boy), who won the men’s pairs silver medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, in an interview with BERNAMA here.
Fairul Izwan said his confidence in Izzat Shameer did not come by chance, as he had long recognised the player’s potential to excel in the men’s singles.
When Izzat Shameer was selected for Glasgow, Fairul Izwan had high hopes that he would end Malaysia’s medal drought in the event.
“Alhamdulillah, he was selected for this edition and I placed my hopes on him. When the president (Lawn Bowls Federation of Malaysia president) asked me, I said, ‘Insya-Allah, we will win something in the singles event.’ Alhamdulillah, that hope was realised with a silver medal,” he said.
He said Izzat Shameer displayed outstanding performances, confidence and composure from the group stage through to the semi-finals, although the pressure of the final slightly affected his rhythm, particularly in the opening set.
Despite settling for silver, Fairul Izwan believes the historic achievement has shown that Izzat Shameer can become one of Malaysia’s key players in future tournaments.
“People may not remember a silver medal because they always remember gold, but I believe they gave their very best, especially Izzat. For the next tournament, I see Izzat carrying the responsibility again,” he said.
In the gold medal match at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) on Tuesday (July 28), Izzat Shameer was beaten 2-0 by experienced English player, Sam Tolchard, but still created history for the national lawn bowls team.
Besides the men’s pairs silver medal he won 12 years ago, Fairul Izwan also claimed bronze in the same event at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
Meanwhile, Izzat Shameer said the silver medal fulfilled his mission of reaching the podium at his second Commonwealth Games appearance, although his original target had been gold.
“Alhamdulillah, this is my second Commonwealth Games and my mission to win a medal has finally been achieved. Although I really wanted the gold medal, I am still grateful to have won silver,” he said.
Izzat Shameer dedicated the historic medal to Malaysia and his family, especially his wife and children. – BERNAMA
