Lawn bowler Izzat stays grounded on the road to Glasgow

Keeping a cool head: Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in action against New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: National lawn bowler Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple does not consider his success at the Seven-Nation Invitational Championship an automatic ticket in the squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games from July 23-Aug 2.

The winner of several gold medals at the Asian Championship and the SEA Games said the selection process is still ongoing and he refuses to get too comfortable despite showing consistent performance in the invitational tournament at home last month.

“I never feel comfortable, I will try to give my best performance until my name is really confirmed (listed).

“Right now it is still in the selection process, so it is important for me to maintain my performance,” said the 34-year-old former world No. 1.

At the recent meet in Bukit Kiara, Izzat completed Malaysia’s success in sweeping all four events after defeating Shannon McIlroy of New Zealand Silver 2-1 in the men’s singles final.

The 2025 World Cup men’s singles bronze medallist described the mobile lawn bowl pitch in Bukit Kiara, which has been used a few months ago, as a catalyst for improving the performance of the country’s players.

He said the new facilities are on par with those in Australia and the United Kingdom, giving him an advantage in making a more thorough preparations ahead of Glasgow Games.

“Actually, I am very happy because this pitch is among the best in Asia and we now have a pitch on par with Australia and the UK.

“So I have the opportunity to train better and give my best for this Commonwealth Games,” said Izzat Shameer who will be making his second appearance after the Birmingham 2022 edition.

Lawn bowl offers four gold medals through the men’s and women’s singles events and men’s and women’s pairs.

The last time Malaysia won a gold medal in lawn bowls at the Games was in the 2018 edition in Gold Coast, Australia through the partnership of Siti Zalina Ahmad and Emma Firyana Saroji in the women’s pairs event. — Bernama