Tears of joy for Zahidi
Wheelchair-bound bowler grabs first gold with Azrin and Amin
BOWLER Zahidi Lamsah could not hold back his tears after his last throw.
The 41-year-old was relieved and happy after finally landing his first goldd at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games with Mohd Azrin Rahim and Muhd Amin Abdul Rahim in the mixed TPB8-TPB9-TPB10 trios event at the Sunway Mega Lanes yesterday.
Being the only wheelchair bowler, Zahidi proved he’s not the weak link in the team by knocking down 702 pins to help Malaysia amass a 12-game winning total of 2,209 – 90 pins ahead of second-placed Singapore, who led at the halfway stage.
Azrin and Amin, who won the doubles golds in their categories on Wednesday, downed 759 pins and 748 pins.
Zahidi, who won two golds in Solo 2011 and one in Singapore 2015, thought he would be finishing without a gold in his home Games after managing only eighth in the TPB8 singles and bronze in the TPB8 doubles (with Mohd Khairul Ishak).
“I was emotional because I finally showed my true potential and claimed my first victory at the Games,” said Zahidi.
“I was struggling for form in the first two events.
“Luckily, I rediscovered my form at the right time. I’m glad I played my part to help Malaysia capture the gold with Azrin and Amin.
“I really want to thank my coaches and teammates for helping me turn things around.”
Malaysia also won the only other event yesterday – the TPB1+TPB2+TPB3 mixed trios – through Mohd Rizal Hassan, Muhd Hairul Miran and Muhd Suhaili Abdul Hamid.
The trio were in their element as they chalked up 2,062 pinfalls to retain the gold won in Singapore two years ago.
Brunei (1,910) took the silver and Thailand (1,892) the bronze.
It was Hairul’s third gold in as many events and the second for Rizal. The duo won the TPB1+TPB3 doubles on Wednesday.
“We enjoyed ourselves so much and felt really comfortable throughout the competition today. Like I said after our doubles triumph, our com- bination is strong because we’re like brothers,” said Rizal.
“Today we did it together with Suhaili and it was a proud day for the three of us because we managed to retain the gold (Hairul was the only member of the winning team of 2015).”
Malaysia have won nine golds, nine silvers and four bronzes.
The bowling competition ends today with the team events.