Bowler Muaz searching for another ticket to the SEA Games

Ahmad Muaz Fishol during training at Sunway Megalanes yesterday.- SHAARI CHEMAT / THESTAR

PETALING JAYA: National bowler Ahmad Muaz Fishol is looking to start his season with a bang.

The 23-year-old did well to help Malaysia bag two golds – trio and team events – at the Singapore SEA Games in June last year. But he aggravated his wrist injury and struggled for form in the last quarter of the year.

He missed the Indonesian Open and failed to impress in the Milo Junior All Stars and Penang Pesta Championships.

Muaz, however, has put all the disappointments behind him. He now plans to strut his stuff in his first assignment of the year at the Inter-State and National Championships, which begins on Friday at Sunway Mega Lanes.

“I had this wrist problem since early 2014. It was disappointing to end the season being troubled by the injury. But I guess as an athlete, injuries are part and parcel of the game,” said Muaz, who won three silvers – doubles, team and All-Events – for Selangor in last year’s Inter-State Championships.

“So, I really hope to do well in the Inter-State and National Championships.”

There is a stiff fight for places in the national side and Muaz needs good results to make the six-man Malaysian team for next year’s Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

He is one of the nine bowlers in the elite team, but the number is expected to be reduced to six in September.

The other eight bowlers are Adrian Ang, Alex Liew, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Muhd Nur Aiman Khairuddin, Muhd Rafiq Ismail, Timmy Tan and Qalif Adnor Adam.

And Muaz doesn’t want to miss the boat with the Games being held on home soil.

“The next six months is going to be crucial for me if I want to be part of the Games. I need to produce really good results, especially in international tournaments, to secure a berth.

“My goal this year is to try earn as many podium finishes as possible in the Open tournaments, if not winning it,” said Muaz.