KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Rafiq Ismail, the youngest bowler in the national squad at 16 years old, made the biggest impression in the World Championships at the Strike Zone Bowling Arena in Nevada, United States.
Rafiq scorched the lanes on Friday with a brilliant three-game lines of 218-214-256 for a total 688 pinfalls in the first squad of the trios event. His efforts kept alive the country’s slim hopes for a first medal in the championships.
Rafiq combined forces with two seniors – Alex Liew and World Cup champion Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek – for a total score of 1,898 pins to finish in 11th position.
They are 142 pins behind leaders United States, whose formidable trio comprises Bill O’Neill, Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes.
Malaysia’s second team of trios also stayed close to the leading pack when they rolled down a combined score of 1,869 pins to finish in 15th spot.
Southpaw Alex believes that anything can happen when the men resume their remaining three games in the second squad today.
“We are not too far away from the fourth spot (currently occupied by another trios from the United States). If Rafiq, Syafiq and I can shoot an average of 230 pins, at least, in the next three games, we can challenge for a medal,” said Alex.
The pressure is really mounting on the men’s team after firing blanks in the singles and doubles events.
“I’m glad that our young Rafiq is back. Today, he got back his consistency and did well to cover up for some of my setbacks. I had a string of bad shots and suffered two splits in the second game,” said Alex.
“We’re still feeling good and, if we can stay positive, we can change things around. At this stage, anything is possible. All the bowlers are in the mood to fight back,” he said.
While the men take a day’s break, the women’s team of Shalin Zulkfili, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi, Sin Li Jane, Jacqueline Sijore and Esther Cheah will be seeking to end their elusive chase for a medal when they compete in the trios event.
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
