PETALING JAYA: Performing well under pressure is what separates the best from the rest.
And national head coach Holloway Cheah hailed the national bowling team for doing just that en route to emerging as the overall champions for the first time at the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships (ATBC) in Kuwait.
The bowlers struck it right despite tense moments to return home with six golds, one silver and four bronzes in the Asian meet – taking over the supremacy as the best in Asia from South Korea, who managed a haul of 3-4-3 medals.
Holloway was especially elated with the performance of his daughter Esther, who won the nation’s sixth gold by winning the Masters to become the first Malaysian woman to win the prestigious event in the Asian meet.
“Amazing, wonderful, I can just go on with praises over our performance in Kuwait. Everyone, even those who did not win the gold did very well,” said Holloway.
“Many see the gold as the measurement for success, but I’m more happy with how we fared in crucial moments. Take Esther, for example, if she didn’t get a strike on her last ball, she would have lost the Masters.
“But she was focused and composed, and we nailed the sixth gold. Not only her, but the other bowlers showed right concentration and composure throughout the competition.
“Sometimes, it’s how we cope during the pressure cooker moments that define us as athletes.
“Bowlers can get as many strikes as they want, but if they can’t deliver in crucial stages, it’s pointless. My bowlers have shown that they can cope with any situation in Kuwait.”
Malaysia’s other gold medals came from Timmy Tan (men’s singles and All-Events), Shalin Zulkifli (women’s singles), Rafiq Ismail, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Ahmad Muaz Fishol (men’s trio) and Esther, Shalin, Sin Li Jane (women’s trio).
But Holloway does not want the bowlers to be carried away but stay grounded as they prepare for the Philippines SEA Games from Nov 30-Dec 11.
“They have upstaged South Korea at the Asian meet but they can expect tough challenge from Singapore in the SEA Games. There is a different pressure in the multi-sport Games,” said Holloway.
“Singapore did not send their top female bowlers to Kuwait because they are focusing on centralised training for the SEA Games.
“Hosts Philippines have also dropped the trios and team events, so it’ll be a different challenge for the team this time.”
Holloway said they would put in the extra shifts during training and even train over the weekends to maintain a good show in the SEA Games. .
“They will not have any off days when they arrive from Kuwait. These are the sacrifices they have to make to be in the best shape for the Games,” said Holloway.
“I believe in them and know that they can stand up to any challenges and deliver.”
And national head coach Holloway Cheah hailed the national bowling team for doing just that en route to emerging as the overall champions for the first time at the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships (ATBC) in Kuwait.
The bowlers struck it right despite tense moments to return home with six golds, one silver and four bronzes in the Asian meet – taking over the supremacy as the best in Asia from South Korea, who managed a haul of 3-4-3 medals.
Holloway was especially elated with the performance of his daughter Esther, who won the nation’s sixth gold by winning the Masters to become the first Malaysian woman to win the prestigious event in the Asian meet.
“Amazing, wonderful, I can just go on with praises over our performance in Kuwait. Everyone, even those who did not win the gold did very well,” said Holloway.
“Many see the gold as the measurement for success, but I’m more happy with how we fared in crucial moments. Take Esther, for example, if she didn’t get a strike on her last ball, she would have lost the Masters.
“But she was focused and composed, and we nailed the sixth gold. Not only her, but the other bowlers showed right concentration and composure throughout the competition.
“Sometimes, it’s how we cope during the pressure cooker moments that define us as athletes.
“Bowlers can get as many strikes as they want, but if they can’t deliver in crucial stages, it’s pointless. My bowlers have shown that they can cope with any situation in Kuwait.”
Malaysia’s other gold medals came from Timmy Tan (men’s singles and All-Events), Shalin Zulkifli (women’s singles), Rafiq Ismail, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Ahmad Muaz Fishol (men’s trio) and Esther, Shalin, Sin Li Jane (women’s trio).
But Holloway does not want the bowlers to be carried away but stay grounded as they prepare for the Philippines SEA Games from Nov 30-Dec 11.
“They have upstaged South Korea at the Asian meet but they can expect tough challenge from Singapore in the SEA Games. There is a different pressure in the multi-sport Games,” said Holloway.
“Singapore did not send their top female bowlers to Kuwait because they are focusing on centralised training for the SEA Games.
“Hosts Philippines have also dropped the trios and team events, so it’ll be a different challenge for the team this time.”
Holloway said they would put in the extra shifts during training and even train over the weekends to maintain a good show in the SEA Games. .
“They will not have any off days when they arrive from Kuwait. These are the sacrifices they have to make to be in the best shape for the Games,” said Holloway.
“I believe in them and know that they can stand up to any challenges and deliver.”
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
