PETALING JAYA: National bowler Intan Nor Edryana Nor Azliman put on a stellar performance to clinch the girls’ Masters title at the International Friendship Youth Championship in Doha.
Intan came from behind to defeat Japan’s Kiri Watanabe 2-1 (190-209, 157-153, 221-215) and give Malaysia their third gold medal in Qatar on Saturday.
It was 19-year-old Intan’s second gold in the tournament after she also won gold in the girls’ team event with teammates Qurratu’Ain Izdihar Pozi, Natalie Chong and Nur Aleeya Syakirah Awang Ali.
Qurratu’Ain had delivered the other gold medal after coming out on top in the girls’ All-Events standings, but Intan just missed out on a medal by three pins.
Intan made her way to the final after qualifying second in the opening round, with Qurratu’Ain right behind her in third.
Intan then defeated Sweden’s Elin Bergqvist 2-0 (220-184, 256-170) in the quarter-finals, and proceeded to take down Singapore’s Shirlene Wong 2-1 (206-221, 203-181, 256-197) in the semi-finals.
Qurratu’Ain’s run was ended by Shirlene in the quarter-finals as she lost 0-2 (182-200, 201-213).
Intan and Qurratu’Ain had previously delivered bronze in the girls’ doubles event.
Qurratu’Ain also won bronze in the singles event.
In the boys’ Masters, Mohd Zarif Ikram made it to the quarter-finals before he lost to Japan’s Koki Fukushima 0-2 (182-278, 159-268).
Malaysia wrapped up their outing with three golds, one silver, and three bronze medals in Doha, finishing second behind the Czech Republic, who had one extra silver medal.
The boys’ squad of Ethan Damien Goh, Mohd Hafiz Darwisy, Mohd Zarif Ikram and Mohd Aiman Syahin had clinched silver in the team event, while Ethan and Zarif delivered bronze in the doubles.
