Bowler Rafiq ends Malaysia’s 39-year wait for gold at World Championships

Hail the new champion Rafiq Ismail.

PETALING JAYA: National bowler Rafiq Ismail blazed the lanes to emerge as Malaysia’s first men’s world champion in 39 years when he rolled down the singles gold in Hong Kong.

The 21-year-old was on fire when he defeated 2014 gold medallist Dan MacLelland of Canada 217-204 in a one-game elimination final on Saturday to cap a great day for Malaysia in the World Championships.

The gold won by Rafiq is Malaysia’s only second in the world championships’ history.

Malaysia have not tasted success in the world meet since J.B Koo, Allan Hooi and Edward Lim triumphed in the trios to hand the country’s first-ever gold in the men’s competition in 1979 in Manila.

Earlier, Rafiq overcame American Kyle Troup in the semi-finals by just one pin when he battled his way to a 171-170 win in a tensed duel.

“I’m very happy. It’s my first medal in the World Championships and it turned out to be a gold!” said Rafiq, who finished 40th in 2013 and 54th last year.

Malaysia will be counting on Adrian Ang and Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam to deliver the second gold when the duo compete in the men’s doubles semi-finals tomorrow.

RESULTS 
SINGLES
Men
Semi-finals: Dan MacLelland (Can) bt Andrew Anderson (US) 256-170; Rafiq Ismail (Mas) bt Kyle Troup (US) 171-170. 
Final: Rafiq bt MacLelland 214-204.