From gutter to glory

Proud moment: Ethan Damien Goh (left) and Mohd Aiman Syahin posing with their gold medals at the Sunway Megalanes. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: From despair to delight, national bowler Ethan Damien Goh struck back in style at the Asian Youth Championships.

The 15-year-old was heartbroken after scoring poorly in the boys’ singles event on Friday, but 24 hours later he redeemed himself by rolling down a gold with Mohd Aiman Syahin in the doubles, scoring 2,696 pinfalls at Sunway Megalanes here yesterday.

Ethan was happy to strike it right after a disappointing start.

“I was disappointed but I decided to leave it behind and focus on what was ahead,” said Ethan.

And the shift of mindset did the trick for him.

Together with Aiman, he delivered a composed performance and made a late surge to pip Kuwait and Japan to winning Malaysia’s first gold medal of the tournament.

Kuwait’s Abdulrazzaq Mohamad and Hassan Qasem settled for silver with 2,611 pins, while Japan’s Eita Saotome and Fumine Suda took bronze on 2,594.

“My chemistry with Aiman was good. I didn’t really realise Japan were leading, I just kept my focus in the game.”

Ethan is hoping to lead the team to success today.

“Our team are prepared to fight all the way to the end.

“The level is definitely higher, but I believe in my ability to get things done.”

While Ethan and Aiman shone for the boys, Singaporean girls continued their fine run, to secure their country third gold of the competition.

Lim Shi En and Nur Irdina Hazly combined superbly to top the girls’ doubles with 2,637 pins.

South Korea’s Paek Yi-dam and Jo Yoon-seo took silver on 2,473, while Japan’s Kiri Watanabe and Mao Kondoh claimed bronze with 2,456.

Malaysia’s best performers were Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee and Adania Mohd Redzwan, who finished fourth on 2,431.

RESULTS

Boys

Doubles: 1. Ethan Damien Goh-Mohd Aiman Syahin (Mas) 2,696 pins, 2. Abdulrazzaq Mohamad-Hassan Qasem (Kuw) 2,611, 3. Eita Saotome-Fumine Suda (Jpn) 2,594. Selected: 23. Wan Mohd Zarif Ikram-Mohd Danial Abu Samah 2,265.

Girls

Doubles: 1. Lim Shi En-Nur Irdina Hazly (Sin) 2,637 pins, 2. Paek Yi-dam-Jo Yoon-seo (Kor) 2,473, 3. Kiri Watanabe-Mao Kondoh (Jpn) 2,456. Selected: 4. Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee-Adania Mohd Redzwan 2,431; 8. Qurratu’Ain Izdihar Mohd Pozi-Nurul Anis Nabila 2,249.