SUBANG JAYA: Terengganu bowler Wan Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan made up for the failure to defend his Malaysia Games (Sukma) men's singles title by rolling down the doubles crown on Tuesday (Aug 18).
The win was also special as Zarif accomplished it with his buddy Ahmad Hazim Syahmi Nik Mat.
Their close friendship and understanding also helped them to manage a tough competition at the Sunway Megalanes which went down to the wire.
Zarif and Hazim finished at the top with a total of 2,651 pinfalls, just 12 ahead of Federal Territories’ Harits Helmi Azhar and Fauzul Aziem Norkama.
Penang’s Akif Darwish Dzulhakimy and Aqil Faizal settled for bronze with 2,579 pinfalls.
The 19-year-old Zarif admitted that losing his singles crown after finishing ninth on Monday, was painful.
"Hazim and I have known each other since we started competing on the junior circuit. We have been partners in other international tournaments, but this is our first victory as a pair," said Zarif.
The competition was stiff heading into the final frames with the lead constantly changing, but the 21-year-old Hazim said their focus remained firmly on their lane.
"This is my last Sukma appearance, and I knew I wanted to win a medal," said Hazim.
"Towards the end, we knew we had secured a medal but weren't sure where we would finish. It was only after Zarif’s final throw that we knew we had won gold.
"We just talked to each other and made sure we stayed focused. We enjoyed ourselves and the distractions from other teams weren't a bother."
Meanwhile, Selangor’s Adania Mohd Redzwan and Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee won gold in the women’s event after they recorded a total of 2,489 pinfalls.
Federal Territories’ Zara Deliza Mohd Kamarul Azizi-Balqis Nudini Mohd Khairul had 2,442 pinfalls to take silver, while Kedah duo Nur Laila Atikah Noor Azahar-Nur Damia Adliena Masrey settled for bronze with 2,396 pinfalls.
RESULTS
Doubles
Men: 1. Wan Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan-Ahmad Hazim Syahmi Nik Mat (Ter) 2,651 pins, 2. Harits Helmi Azhar-Fauzul Aziem Norkamal (FT) 2,639, 3. Akif Darwish Dzulhakimy-Aqil Faizal (Pen) 2,579.
Women: 1. Adania Mohd Redzwan-Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee (Sel) 2,489, 2. Zara Deliza Mohd Kamarul Azizi-Balqis Nudini Mohd Khairul (FT) 2,442, 3. Nur Laila Atikah Noor Azahar-Nur Damia Adliena Masrey (Ked) 2,396.
