Let’s go for glory

Experienced trio hope to rewrite history by striking more golds

PETALING JAYA: Bowler Shalin Zulkifli, shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi and diver Leong Mun Yee have something in common.

The trio were gold medallists when Malaysia last hosted the SEA Games 16 years ago. And they could rewrite history for their respective sports if they strike again in the biennial Games in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 19-30.

Veteran Shalin is Malaysia’s most successful woman bowler in the Games history having won 17 golds from seven outings.

Shalin, who made her debut in Singapore in 1993 as a 15-year-old, is now the second most successful Malaysian athlete in the Games behind swimmer Nurul Huda Abdullah, a winner of 22 golds in three outings (1985, 1987 and 1989).

It would have been a lot more for Shalin if she didn’t opt out in 2005 and 2011. Bowling was also not contested in 2003, 2009 and 2013.

The 39-year-old Shalin is all pumped up to contribute her fair share of golds in perhaps her final SEA Games campaign.

A total of 11 golds are up for grabs in bowling at the Pyramid MegaLanes in Bandar Sunway from Aug 20-25.

“I hope to get a medal in every event I compete in although the team event will be our main focus. It has been an enjoyable experience in each SEA Games,” said Shalin, whose biggest haul in a single Games was four golds – singles, trios, team and All-Events – in 2001.

Suryani, a mother of two kids, is looking forward to increase her five-gold total.

Fourteen events are contested at the Subang Shooting Range from Aug 21-26.

“This venue is like my playground since the 1998 Commonwealth Games in KL. I am familiar with the wind conditions and only very few have the chance to experience two SEA Games on home soil,” said Suryani, the first Malaysian woman to shoot at the Olympics in London in 2012, .

“It’s different now. In 2001, I was the junior and partnered the seniors (Nurul Hudda Baharin and Roslina Bakar) to win the 50m rifle three-position team event.

“I am a senior in the squad this time and expectations are there on me to do well,” said 35-year-old Suryani, who will compete in the 50m rifle three-position and 50m rifle prone.

Mun Yee, who has competed in four Olympics, is set to catch up with Shalin in terms of total golds won when diving begins at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil

I hope to get a medal in every event I compete in although the team event will be our main focus. It has been an enjoyable experience in each SEA Games.

Shalin Zulkifli

from Aug 26-30.

Mun Yee is tentatively entered for the women’s 10m platform synchro with Traisy Vivien Tukiet and the team event.

The 31-year-old has not missed the SEA Games since she made her debut in Jakarta in 1997. She has 15 golds in her collection from 10 outings.

“The 2001 SEA Games brings good memories as I won four golds (3m springboard, 10m platform individual, 3m springboard and 10m platform synchro).

“I hope to experience the winning moments again,” said Mun Yee, who is now training with the diving squad in Guangzhou, China.