PETALING JAYA: The toughest opponents can sometimes be the ones who know your game inside out.
That is the challenge national junior bowler Natalie Chong will face when she makes her Malaysian Games (Sukma) debut in Selangor from Aug 15-24.
The 16-year-old will be representing Sabah alongside Nur Aleeya Syakirah Awang Ali, Nur Jeehan Iezzaty Suffian, Chloe Ho, Dhaniya Marissa Aleeya Drahman and Wardina Polinu in the girls’ team event.
“It’s a mix of excitement and nervousness. I want to give my best in every event,” she said.
Natalie, who has been bowling from the age of seven, identified the last Games’ top two teams, Selangor and Sarawak respectively, as the most significant challengers.
“Both their teams are really strong.”
Natalie, however, will not be strangers to several of the bowlers standing in her way.
She was part of the gold medal-winning Malaysian team at last year’s Asian Junior Championships in Doha, where she teamed up with Selangor’s Adelia Nur Syazalee and Sarawak’s Qurratu’Ain Izdihar Pozi.
Furthermore, her friend from the national setup, Helena Jamal, is also part of the Selangor team.
“Helena is one of my closest friends. We instantly bonded over our shared tastes in food and fashion.”
But Natalie is relishing the chance to turn familiar faces into opponents, believing the experience will help her grow as a bowler.
“At the end of the day, winning is important so it’ll be competitive and a great challenge.
“My aim is to win at least two golds, but most importantly, I want to learn as much as I can and improve my game.”
