KUALA LUMPUR: The national youth bowling squad has officially clinched the overall championship title at the 24th Asian Youth Bowling Championship in Doha, Qatar, after securing three additional gold medals on Thursday (Jul 31).
With only two events remaining — the men’s and women’s Masters — Malaysia has emerged as the dominant force, collecting a total of five gold and four bronze medals, making it nearly impossible for any other nation to overtake them in the standings.
In a historic feat, the national team also won both the men’s and women’s team events for the first time in the tournament’s history on the day.
In the women’s team category, Malaysia — represented by Qurratu’ain Izdihar Pozi, Adelia Nur Syazalee, Intan Nor Azliman, and Natalie Chong — struck gold after scoring a total of 4,775 pinfalls over 24 games played across two days.
The silver medal went to Taiwan, which recorded 4,563 pinfalls, while Malaysia B team, comprising Nursyarafana Amri, Nurul Dayana Suhaidan, Helena Jamal, and Balqis Nurdini Khairul, secured bronze with a total of 4,456 pinfalls.
In the men’s team event, Malaysia’s quartet of Sayed Abdullah, Hafiz Azhlan, Muhammad Aqil Faizal, and Wan Muhammad Zarif Mazlan overcame a strong challenge from Kuwait to secure gold by the narrowest of margins — just two pinfalls — finishing with a total of 5,198.
Qatar claimed the bronze medal with a total of 5,052 pinfalls.
Meanwhile, Qurratu’ain Izdihar continued her stellar performance by emerging as the overall women’s individual champion (all-events), amassing 3,805 pinfalls to secure her fourth personal gold medal of the tournament.
Second place went to Taiwan’s Huang Hsin Teng with 3,559 pinfalls, while Malaysia’s Intan Nor Azliman took bronze with a close 3,555 pinfalls.
In the men’s overall individual category, Aqil added another medal to his collection by securing bronze with a total of 3,921 pinfalls, behind Nasser Alkandari from Kuwait (4,037) and Abdulrahman Al Doseri from Qatar (3,960), who took gold and silver, respectively. – BERNAMA
