Different roar in Lion City

Glitter in their hands: Rafiq Ismail (left) and Lavinia Kho pose with their trophies. — Photo by Singapore Bowling.

PETALING JAYA: National bowler Rafiq Ismail had already won the Singapore Open three times. But his fourth title felt different.

With his wife, Wan Nur Adzlin Wan Ahmad Ifafudin, and their two-year-old son, Mohd Yusuf, watching from the stands at Singapore Bowling and Rifle Range, the national bowling champion kept his composure to reign supreme once again.

“I really didn’t expect to win back-to-back titles. I won the Malaysian Open last week, and then on Saturday, the Singapore Open. Also, I have successfully defended my Singapore Open title,” said Rafiq.

“But it is always good to win in front of my wife and son.”

The 29-year-old defeated national teammate Tun Ameerul Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam 242-226 in the stepladder finals on Saturday, completing an all-Malaysian men’s showdown.

Facing a familiar foe in Ameerul, Rafiq knew complacency would be fatal.

“Hakim is a good and experienced bowler. I stayed positive and focused on my game,” he said.

Playing in a one-plus-one format that Rafiq described as offering a “big advantage” to the leading seed, the contest remained tighter than the scoreline suggested.

“Hakim did give a fight. When he is calm, he is dangerous – I think at the last minute he almost caught me. He struck out and forced me to get a double strike.”

The Singapore Open title arrived just a week after Rafiq claimed the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur, where he recovered from dropping the opener 186-227 to third seed Chong Jun Foo before outscoring his rival 255-225 in a commanding decider.

On Tuesday, Rafiq will compete in the Kuala Lumpur International Open at the Sunway Megalanes to strengthen his stake in the squad for the Asian Championships in Doha, Qatar, from Nov 12-22.

“I’ve a bit of sore here and there, but it is manageable. I hope to keep the winning run and solidify my spot for the Asian meet,” said Rafiq.

Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, Lavinia Kho Jia Jie beat Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal 192-184 and 201-188 in an-all Malaysian final to make it a double joy for the national team.