SUBANG JAYA: Sarawak's Isyraq Iqbal Ramadhan had his mother by his side since he started bowling at the age of nine, but her absence was felt as he fulfilled his dream of winning a Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medal.
The 19-year-old struggled to hold back tears after he clinched the men’s singles title with 1,331 pinfalls over six games at the Sunway Megalanes on Monday (Aug 17).
"This win is for my mother. She had always been with me throughout my journey in bowling, but she passed away last year due to heart failure," said Isyraq
"It hurts to not have her here with me as I win my first Sukma gold.
Penang’s Adam Darwish Dzulhakimy came in second with 1,283 while Pahang’s Sufi Fitri Jumalis settled for bronze after scoring 1,260 pinfalls.
Isyraq, who won team bronze at his maiden outing in Kuching two years ago, admitted that he almost lost focus in the fifth game.
"It was the toughest fifth game because I could feel myself losing focus. I don’t really know what was running through my mind. I wasn’t making good shots or getting spares.
"But in the sixth game, I just blocked everything out and kept my eyes on the lane. Fortunately, it fell into place after that," he said.
RESULTS
Men’s singles: 1. Isyraq Iqbal Ramadhan (Swk) 1,331 pins, 2. Adam Darwish Dzulhakimy (Pen) 1,283, 3. Sufi Fitri Jumalis (Pah) 1,260.
