Syaidatul, Natasha out to strike podium finish
Afifah Badrul Hamidi and Natasha Roslan are looking at another podium finish at this year’s Asian Games as they take to the lanes in the women’s masters in Palembang today.
Syaidatul, a member of the women’s trio that won Malaysia’s first gold medal in Jakarta, topped the all-events after the team event on Friday on 2,918 pinfalls while Natasha came in fourth on 2,828.
Syaidatul, 26, hopes to maintain her fine form as she targets a third personal medal.
“So far, I have been doing really well on the long and medium patterns. I just need to maintain this form for another medal,” said Syaidatul.
Natasha, on the other hand, is clearly aware of the tough challenge that awaits her as only the top 16 bowlers (two per nation) made the cut for the masters.
“I actually did not expect to make the cut, but since I have, I might as well do my best to land Malaysia another medal. It won’t be easy as everyone will be targeting a podium finish,” added the 2016 world youth champion.
In yesterday’s men’s team, Malaysia’s Timmy Tan, Rafiq Ismail, Adrian Ang, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Alex Liew and Ahmad Muaz Fishol missed out on a medal by finishing seventh on a 8,042 total.
South Korea claimed the gold on 8,540, followed by Hong Kong (8,175) and Taiwan (8,166).
Rafiq and Syafiq will play in the men’s masters today.