Fortune favours the brave
Rafiq’s gamble to switch ball pays off, Adrian clinches silver
ONE took a gamble. The other had his mind on his baby girl.
In the end, youngster Rafiq Ismail and veteran Adrian Ang were able to celebrate a 1-2 finish for Malaysia in the men’s singles bowling competition at the Sunway Mega Lanes.
The 20-year-old Rafiq, who took a gamble by switching his ball in the last game, defended the gold by blazing the lanes with lines of 257224-217-238-227-255 for a six-game total of 1,418 pinfalls.
Adrian, who was breathing down Rafiq’s neck, came in second with a 1,402 total – just 16 pins short. Indonesian Yeri Ramadona was third with 1,380 pinfalls.
Things did not go according to plan for Rafiq initially as he kept missing the pocket – and that frustrated him.
“It was so close. I was missing the strikes and I knew I had to do something to pull away,” said Rafiq, who won three golds and one silver at the Singapore Games two years ago.
“I took a gamble by switching to an unused ball in the last game. I needed a high-scoring game and it worked.
“I can’t describe the feeling as I put a lot of pressure on myself. It’s not easy to defend the gold but I hung in there.”
The 29-year-old Adrian, who was the show-stealer at the 2011 Games in Indonesia by winning four golds, was happy with his silver.
“We had only one game plan at these Games – get the strikes right from the start – and that’s what we did,” said Adrian.
“We have started well with a 1-2 finish and our team will go all out to hunt down more medals.
“This silver is special. It’s my first since I become a father. I dedicate this medal to my baby Aurelea Ang (born on July 24),” added Adrian.
National coach Holloway Cheah said: “Rafiq almost lost his cool when he couldn’t find his consisten- cy in getting the strikes and that could’ve spelt danger. But, I’m glad he regained his composure.
“The team have prepared well. Today, Singapore won one gold (through Cherie Tan in the women’s singles) and we have one.
“It’ll be a close battle just like how it was in Singapore (in 2015) but I’m confident, we’ll do well again.”
At the 2015 Games, Malaysia emerged overall champions with a 5-1-4 haul and Singapore second with 4-5-1.
It was so close. I was missing the strikes and I knew I had to do something to pull away. Rafiq Ismail