Rafiq, Natasha rise above adversity to end 2025 as Asia’s best

Asian sweep: From the youth days to senior ranks, bowlers Rafiq Ismail (left) and Natasha Roslan continue to make the country proud.

PETALING JAYA: Rafiq Ismail’s grip on the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) summit, is no accident.

It is the product of consistency and an unrelenting competitive edge on the lanes in the men’s competition.

Ranked number one in Asia for five straight years since 2021, the 28-year-old has set a standard for bowlers around the region.

Rafiq leads the men’s standings with 361 points, comfortably ahead of teammate Syazirol Shamsudin, who is ranked second with 238 points. South Korea’s Ji Ge-un is at third with 160 points.

Rafiq, fresh from winning the doubles gold with Syazirol at the recent Thailand SEA Games, admits that maintaining dominance at the continental level is far from straightforward.

“Staying on top in Asia for five years is not easy at all,” said Rafiq.

“Even at the SEA Games level, winning is already very difficult. So to be ranked No. 1 in Asia means a lot to me.”

Despite winning two titles (Singapore Open and Samho Cup) in 2025, Rafiq described the year as one of his best largely due to his consistency at the biggest stages.

“Honestly, I think 2025 has been one of my best years,” he said.

“Even though I won two titles, what stood out for me were the big tournaments like the SEA Games, World Cup and World Championships.

“Individually, I finished on the podium at the World Cup and the (Professional Bowling Association (PBA) events, both as runner-up. That consistency is very important to me.”

However, the year also came with emotional challenges following the passing of his father Ismail Nimat.

“That was not easy, but it also gave me extra motivation to keep pushing,” said Rafiq.

Rather than chasing rankings, Rafiq remains focused on the present.

“I will always do my very best in every event. I focus on one tournament at a time, not the whole of 2026.

“For me, this is not just about myself. I’m doing this for my family. Without them, I wouldn’t be at this level. I also want to thank my coaches, friends, Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC), National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Institute (NSI), and my sponsors, Motiv and SonicBowl.”

While Rafiq is a familiar face at the top in the men’s ranking, the country’s top women bowler Natasha Roslan has claimed the top spot for the first time.

She has accumulated 268 points, thanks to her superb World Cup triumph earlier this year that ended Malaysia’s 53-year title drought.

Singapore’s Shayna Ng is at the second with 204 points and followed by rising talent Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee at third with 184 points.

Natasha, who finished third in 2023 and fifth in the rankings last year, said the recognition had only strengthened her resolve.

“It feels really special and humbling at the same time,” said the 29-year-ol Natasha, who won the team gold at the recent SEA Games.

“I’m grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey, my coaches, teammates, family and supporters.

“But I don’t want to become complacent. I want to stay hungry and keep pushing myself to achieve more.”

It has been a tough year too for Natasha, who had to care for her cancer-stricken mother.

Reflecting on her year, she added, “The year 2025 has been very tough and meaningful for me. Becoming the first Malaysian to win the World Cup, winning a SEA Games singles silver and team gold showed that the hard work was worth it.

“This ranking gives me confidence that I’m on the right track.

“It reminds me to trust myself and my process. Moving into 2026, it motivates me to keep growing,” added Natasha.