Beating the best on PBA national tour beyond Ameerul’s wildest dreams

All smiles: Tun Ameerul Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam posing with the Chameleon Championship trophy. — PBA

PETALING JAYA: National bowler Tun Ameerul Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam is in wonderland after ending his three-year title drought on the big stage by ruling the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA)’s Chameleon Championship, which is part of the World Series of Bowling (WSOB).

Ameerul defeated home favourite Kevin McCune 269-227 in the stepladder final at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, on Tuesday.

He said the success was achieved beyond his wildest dreams.

“I didn’t expect to win even though I was the top seed. Even when I made the winning shot, I just went, ‘wow’ and thought, ‘This is happening, this is amazing’.

“We are here to prove that we are the best of the best. The PBA national tour has the world’s best professionals, so winning it, I guess I need a few days to process all this.

“When I hoisted the trophy, I felt like I was floating. It was like a dream. Also, my last singles title was in 2022 when I won the Hong Kong Open. Since then, I have only earned doubles or team medals.”

Ameerul has also created history becoming the first Malaysian to win a PBA national tour title and the second to win a tournament in the PBA.

The first Malaysian to win a PBA trophy was Zulmazran Zulkifli, who lifted the Granville Financial Sandhills Open, a regional tour competition under the PBA.

Ameerul said that he was motivated to do something special after seeing Rafiq Ismail finish as runner-up in the Scorpion Championship.

“I thought Rafiq would win, being the top seed but he was unlucky. Before that final, Rafiq and I had told each other that we would only leave Nevada if we became champions.

“Now, I hope Muaz (Ahmad Muaz Fishol) can do something special in the Shark Championship today before we all head home.”

In the Chameleon Championship, Ameerul qualified fourth during the 12-game qualifying round last week.

He then defeated American David Krol (237-226, 216-247, 268-267, and 279-187) and Swedish bowler Jesper Svensson (245-214, 245-228, and 254-215) in match play to make his first career championship round appearance.

“In this tournament, I stayed calm, kept my focus and executed my plans really well. Plus, I made sure I had the right equipment for all my games,” added Ameerul.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) president Datuk Najeeb Abdullah praised Ameerul’s success, saying his sacrifice has paid off.

“In the last two years, those who competed in the PBA and PWBA did so at their own expense. That sacrifice should be acknowledged and their efforts have not gone to waste,” he said.

“Before Ameerul, Rafiq, and Muaz flew to the States, we met with them, and they were in high spirits. Seeing Hakim do well in the PBA fills us with pride.”