Bowling girls fall short in world title defence

PETALING JAYA: The national girls’ bowling team could only muster up bronze in their failed title defence at the World Youth Championships in Megalanes Sarawak yesterday after losing to archrivals Singapore.

The quartet, comprising rising talents Adelia Nur Izwan Syazalee, Adania Mohd Redzwan, Qurratu’Ain Izdihar Pozi and Intan Nor Edryana Nor Azliman, had entered the tournament as defending champions following their victory in South Korea in 2024 but they crashed out in the semi-finals this time.

The team led by Qurratu’Ain booked their semi-final spot as the top seeds after winning six out of the seven games to earn 18 points.

However, the semi-final match-up against Singapore proved to be the team’s downfall.

The match was closely fought right until the final frame of the deciding game, where Singapore eventually edged ahead with a 2-1 scoreline.

The national team entered the tournament with high expectations following their gold medal won in Doha last year, particularly with three of the four girls — Adelia, 19, Qurratu’Ain, 18, and Intan, 19—still part of the team.

Previously, Adelia and Adania, 20, had secured at least another bronze medal for the country in the girls’ doubles’ category after advancing to the semi-finals.

The boys comprising Ethan Damien Goh, Wan Mohd Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan, Mohd Danial Abu Samah and Mohd Aiman Syahin Sulaiman failed to win any medals so far but their last hope of securing silverware will be in the mixed team event tomorrow.