PETALING JAYA: Watching the national team win two gold medals at the World Youth Championships in Megalanes Sarawak, left former national bowling queen Esther Cheah with a profound sense of deja vu.
The three-time world champion was the last to win the girls’ doubles title in the tournament with Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi in the 2006 edition in Berlin.
This time Esther was with the team as one of the coaches together with Azidi Ameran and Alex Liew, and they were bowled over by the tenacity shown by the Malaysian youngsters on the final day of action in Kuching.
Nineteen-year-old Adelia Nur Izwan Syazalee and Adania Mohd Redzwan, 20, started the ball rolling by beating Erin Klemencic-Elizabeth Teuber of the United States 244-181, 207-201 to win the girls’ doubles - ending the agonising 20-year wait for the title.
And just hours later, Adelia and Adania teamed up with Mohd Aiman Syahin Sulaiman and Ethan Damien Goh to deliver the second gold after beating Finland’s Julia Vesanen, Tiiamari Laukkanen, Juho Vuoppola, and Roni Leskinen 255-180, 222-209 in the mixed team final.
Esther was happy to see Adelia and Adania stepping up in the youth meet.
“Winning gold was a dream come true but witnessing these kids bowl their hearts out just fills me with so much joy,” said the 40-year-old who had represented the country for 22 years.
At the start of the year, Esther had hung up her competitive shoes to don the coaching hat for the youth setup in the national team.
“Helping the next generation to succeed is way more rewarding than winning itself,” she added.
“Adelia and Adania are truly exceptional! Their composure and resilience under pressure was remarkable,” Esther said.
Winning the two gold medals were also remarkable as Malaysia last achieved the double feat 18 years ago at the 2008 edition in Florida.
The mixed team triumph also provided the perfect response after Malaysia’s disappointment in the girls’ team event, where the defending champions had to settle for bronze.
Esther said the future for Malaysian bowling was bright.
“Their future is incredibly bright, and this championship is just the first stepping stone for them,” said Esther.
“I see the fierce competitive spark I used to have on the lanes in them. They have the raw talent to go all the way to the top.”
FINAL RESULTS
Girls’ doubles: Adelia Nur Izwan Syazalee-Adania Mohd Redzwan (Mas) bt Erin Klemencic-Elizabeth Teuber (US) 244-181, 207-201.
Mixed team: Adelia Nur Izwan Syazalee, Adania Mohd Redzwan, Mohd Aiman Syahin Sulaiman, Ethan Damien Goh (Mas) bt Julia Vesanen, Tiiamari Laukkanen, Juho Vuoppola, and Roni Leskinen (Fin) 255-180, 222-209.
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