PETALING JAYA: Ho Choon Seong and Syabil Azam Syamsul Azam were the toast of the bowling community after they were named Sportsmen of the Year at the National Deaf Sports Awards (ASPN) held at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil today (Jan 29).
The bowlers, who bagged the gold medal at last year's Deaflympics in Tokyo, were overwhelmed when they received the award from Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohd Taufiq Johari.
"It was really a surprise. We really did not expect to win," said Choon Seong.
Syabil added: "Winning this award will certainly spur us to do better in the next competition that we compete in."
While the younger Syabil had the lone achievement in Tokyo to motivate him, Choon Seong is an old hand in the sport.
At the South-east Asia (SEA) Deaf Games in Jakarta, Indonesia last August, Choong hauled in a total of four gold medals through the doubles, trios, All-event and Masters.
There were also more cheers for bowling as Huwainaa Danduan Abdullah and Nor Misha Nathera Markerywere captured the Deaf Sportswomen of the year title.
Huwainaa and Nor Misha claimed a silver medal at last year's Deaflympics in Tokyo.
"We are grateful for being given recognition. It will make us work harder and raise our game for sure," added Huwainaa.
