Keep rolling with the glitter
Veteran bowler Abu Bakar won’t let golden run end
VETERAN bowler Abu Bakar Nyat intends to keep his golden run going at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games.
The 50-year-old Abu Bakar has delivered at least one gold medal in every Asean
Para Games since
2009.
He will compete in the TPB9 category ( for standing bowlers with lower limb disability). He has been entered for men’s singles, doubles, trio and team.
“I’m a late bloomer,” said Abu Bakar, who took up the sport in 2000.
Abu Bakar, who is the chief clerk at the Bertam Hulu Primary School in Malacca, is not the oldest in the bowling team.
There are two others older than him – 59-year-old Abdul Rahman PP Bava Kutty ( TPB10) and 58- year- old Muhd Amin Abdul Rashid (TBP10).
“Age is not a barrier in bowling. We’re enjoying every moment,” said Abu Bakar.
He made his Asean Para Games debut in Laos in 2009 and won two gold medals in singles and doubles.
He followed it up with one gold each at the 2011 Games in Indonesia and 2015 Games in Singapore.
With his right leg longer than his left, Abu Bakar said that it was challenging at first to get the strikes, but the long hours practising have paid off.
“A mishap when I was seven years old caused this deformity on my right leg (in Kelebang, Melaka). I was playing with my friends when I fell,” recalled Abu Bakar.
“I hurt my ankle but I could still walk. A week later, it swelled and I couldn’t walk. My parents took me for traditional treatment but it didn’t work.
“Now, I walk with a limp. But that hasn’t stopped me from getting involved in sports. I started with athletics first. I took part in the 100m and long jump but, as I grew older, my body could not handle it.
“Bowling seemed more suitable at this age although it took me about nine years to master it.”
Although listed for four events, Abu Bakar said he may not compete in all.
“It all depends on my form in the singles. There are many other good bowlers.
“Thailand will be our main challengers but, if everything goes well, Malaysia should enjoy a golden harvest again,” he said.
Abu Bakar Nyat
I started with athletics first. I took part in the 100m and long jump but, as I grew older, my body could not handle it. Bowling seemed more suitable at this age although it took me about nine years to master it.