PETALING JAYA: Just a few weeks ago, national junior bowler Helena Jamal found herself feeling stuck with her progress and at a loss of confidence.
She even missed out on the Malaysia Games (Sukma) after failing to make the shortlist for the Selangor squad.
Yesterday at the Jaya Ancol Bowling Center in Jakarta, the 18-year-old was crowned the women’s All-Events champion at the Asian Junior Championships after topping the table with a total of 3,469 pins, a mere five pins ahead of runner-up Foo Rui Qi Carine of Singapore who managed 3,464 pins.
The title meant Helena will be leaving Indonesia with at least two gold medals and one silver following her earlier doubles title with partner Nur Syahira Amani Abdullah and runners-up finish in the team event.
“It’s been a difficult period for me. I felt as if i wasn’t improving at all,” said Helena.
“I was doubting myself with every roll and knew something had to change.”
And change she did, as Helena, who only managed a bronze in her last Asian Championships in Qatar, reworked almost every aspect of her form with her coaches.
Helena expressed her pleasant surprise at her performance in Jakarta as she was still adapting to the changes.
“It affected my consistency, so I did not expect this result at all,” she said.
“I am happy the hard work paid off and hope to carry this positive mindset to the upcoming games.”
Helena will be looking to continue her hot form in the Master’s final today where she has been placed in the first block alongside teammates Nur Syahira, Khaira Nur Aleesya Azrul Izwan and Ayra Deliza Mohd Kamarul Azizi.
Mohd Eikhsan Mohd Erwan, with his eighth place finish, was the sole local male bowler in the top 16, thus ensuring his qualification for the men’s Master.
