KUCHING: Just days after walking into the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships hoping to help Malaysia win a medal, Sarawak’s Ethan Damien Goh Chen Ming walked away as a world youth champion.
The 16-year-old, the only Sarawakian in the national squad, played his part as Malaysia clinched gold in the Mixed Team event, turning a dream into reality in front of a home crowd in Kuching.
“It feels amazing! Especially representing Team Malaysia, it’s really amazing.
“Since it’s my first World Youth Championships, it’s definitely a very big achievement for me,” he told Sarawak Tribune after the closing ceremony here last night (July 6).
Despite competing on home soil, Ethan said he entered the tournament without placing undue pressure on himself.
Instead, he focused on contributing to the team while quietly believing they had what it took to challenge for the title.
“I didn’t bowl that badly, and I felt there was potential for us to win gold, or at least make the match play,” he said.
Even then, he never doubted the team’s chances.
“I always believed we could make the match play first, then we would just go with the flow after that”, he added.
Winning the title in Kuching carried even greater significance for Ethan.
Winning the title in Kuching carried even greater significance as Sarawak’s sole representative in Team Malaysia.
“It definitely means a lot to me because I won this tournament in Sarawak and I’m the only Sarawakian in the team.
“Hopefully it gives me more confidence and makes me proud going into the next tournaments.”
Ethan also credited the home crowd for lifting the team throughout the championship.
“It meant a lot. There were so many people behind us cheering and supporting Malaysia.
“We’re very grateful because they kept us going and encouraged us to keep fighting for our country”, he said.
The latest triumph adds another chapter to Ethan’s rapidly growing résumé.
Last year, he became the youngest-ever Men’s Open champion at the Malaysian International Open, a breakthrough many regarded as the arrival of one of Malaysia’s brightest young bowling talents.
Despite adding a world youth gold medal to his collection, Ethan still ranks that historic national title as his greatest achievement.
“I think The Malaysian Open is still number one.
“Right below it is the IBF World Youth Championships because becoming the youngest Men’s Open champion was a huge achievement”, he said.
Throughout the tournament, Ethan leaned on advice from the coaches who have guided his development over the years.
“They always told me never give up.
“Just focus on what you’ve trained for and you’ll definitely make the final.”
Rather than viewing the gold medal as the pinnacle of his career, Ethan believes it is only another step towards bigger goals.
“It’s another step forward to something bigger.
“I think this achievement will definitely push me to become better and better”, Ethan added.
With young bowlers across Sarawak now looking up to him, Ethan offered a simple message to the next generation.
“Train hard, never give up and keep working on your weak points.”
Reflecting on the nervous teenager who walked into the opening ceremony just days earlier, Ethan smiled when asked what advice he would give his younger self.
“Don’t be nervous. You can do this. Anything can happen in bowling. Always fight until the end,” he said with a chuckle.
