Malaysia’s Izzat and Emma hope to continue winning ways in Australia

Champions: The national lawn bowls team and officials posing for a photograph after emerging overall winners at the Asia Bowls Championships in New Delhi, India, on Monday.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will next try to conquer world lawn bowls.

Having emerged overall champions in the 12th Asia Bowls Championships in New Delhi on Monday with five golds, a silver and two bronzes, Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple and Emma Firyana Saroji will now go for glory at the World Singles Champion of Champions at the St Johns Park in New South Wales, Australia, from Oct 30-Nov 5.

Policewoman Emma has tasted success before at the Champion of Champions, having emerged as the women’s winner in 2015.

Emma did not compete in New Delhi as the Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) want her to concentrate on the Champion of Champions.

Emma said: “I’m inspired by the success. I’m proud of our bowlers’ achievements in New Delhi. This victory has spurred me to continue the national team’s strong showing in Australia.”

Besides the Asia Championships, Malaysia also emerged overall champions at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August with a 7-0-1 haul.

For Emma, she will be aiming for her third title this season. She was the singles winner at the National Championships in February and the SEA Games.

National coach Zuraidi Puteh was pleased with the bowlers’ performances in New Delhi.

“Success does not come easy. They have worked for it, spending hours in training to get these results. We are on the right track for the 2018 Commonwealth Games (in Gold Coast, Australia, in April).

“We cannot take the foot off the pedal. We must continue to be on our toes because the top nations will be competing in the Commonwealth Games,” said Zuraidi.

THE WINNERS IN NEW DELHI

Men
Singles: Mohammad Soufi Rusli (Mas).
Pairs: Mohamed Hizlee Rais-Fairul Izwan Abd Muin (Mas).
Triples: Chandan Kumar Singh-Sunil Chhetry-Dinesh Kumar (Ind).
Fours: Anthony Loh-Melvin Tan-Kevin Pang-Bernard Foo (Sin).

Women
Singles: Siti Zalina Ahmad (Mas).
Pairs: Auni Kamis-Siti Zalina Ahmad (Mas).
Triples: Farjana Khan-Pinki-Nayan Mani (Ind).
Fours: Nabilah Tarmizi-Auni Kamis-Zuraini Khalid-Azalina Arshad (Mas).

Under-25
Boys’ singles: Alok Iakra (Ind).
Girls’ singles: Gloria Ha (Hkg).
Mixed pairs: Gloria Ha-James Po (Hkg).