RAFIQ EYEING GOLD IN PALEMBANG
National champion aims to excel in a strong field in Asian Games
RAFIQ Ismail is not too worried about his recent performance at the World Youth Championships in Detroit as he gears up for the Indonesian Asian Games. The 20-year-old, who won the boys’ doubles silver medal with Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam at the previous edition (2016) in Nebraska, failed to shine as he finished 39th overall in Detroit.
The reigning national men’s champion did not even qualify for any of the semifinals at the world youth meet.
Malaysia ended their campaign with one gold medal through Nur Syazwani Sahar in the girls’ all-events, one silver and two bronze.
When contacted in Kuala Terengganu where the national squad are undergoing centralised training for the Asian Games, Rafiq said: “The lane condition was a little difficult for me (in Detroit).
“Another problem was I couldn’t adjust fast enough,” he said.
Rafiq, who will be playing in his second Asian Games, is determined to land a gold in Palembang, despite acknowledging the tough competition and the slight change in format.
“In 2014 Incheon, we only managed four silver, but I am confident we can do better in Palembang. I am especially certain of doing well in the team event.
“We also have a new scoring format, and that might be a little tricky for us, but we are all preparing very well, so I am not too worried.
“The world youth is a thing of the past and my focus now is 100 per cent towards the Asian Games,” Rafiq added.
Malaysia hope to win at least a gold with only six events (men and women’s trio, team and masters) being contested in Palembang.
Other Asian Games-bound bowlers are Syafiq Ridhwan Abd Malek, Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Ahmad Muaz Fishol and Timmy Tan, while the women’s squad comprise Shalin Zulkifli, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Esther Cheah, Sin Li Jane and Natasha Roslan.