TUN HAKIM RETAINS THE GOLD FOR MALAYSIA
Tun Hakim retains boys’ singles title for Malaysia in Manila
PETALING JAYA: Debutant Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam has given Malaysia a flying start in the Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships (AYC) in Manila.
The 18yearold clinched the gold for Malaysia after amassing an impressive 1,370 total at the Starmall’s Coronado Lanes in Mandaluyong City yesterday.
He won by a convincing 72 pins over Japan’s Takumi Hagasaki (1,298) and Ahmed AlAwadhi of Bahrain (1,287) to retain the title for Malaysia. Rafiq Ismail was the gold medallist in the biennial championships in 2015.
“I won the first event on my debut, what more could I ask for?” said a delighted Tun Hakim, who registered lines of 214247268223190228 in the sixgame series.
“I didn’t set a scoring target but concentrated on making good shots in every frame to make every pin counts.
“Even when I was told that I needed just a 170 in the last game to seal the win, I still played my heart out.
“More importantly, it’s about giving the team a strong start to the tournament. I’m also pleased to have defended the gold for Malaysia.
“Now, I have to stay calm as there are still many events coming up,” he added.
While Tun Hakim impressed, the other three boys will need to buck up.
Brandon Lik, the second best placed Malaysian, could only manage a 1,161 total for 26th spot in the 60player competition.
Muhd Arif Iskandar (1,108) and Mohd Hafiz Zainuddin (1,074) were 31st and 43rd respectively.
In the girls’ singles, Nur Amirah Auni Azman was narrowly pipped to the gold by Kim Yesol of South Korea.
Nur Amirah posted a 1,321 total to finish nine pins behind Yesol’s 1,330. Japan’s Shion Izumune claimed the bronze with 1,299.
Nur Amirah was left to rue missing out on a makeable spare in her last frame of the day. She had put up a gallant fight against Yesol, who was 46 pins in front with two games to go.
“It just wasn’t my day. I had the chance to snatch the gold in the last frame but I failed to convert the spare,” said Nur Amirah.
“It was a tricky split (pins No. 4 and No. 9) but spareable. And I didn’t miss a single spare all day long. “No luck, but it’s OK.
“I’m going to redeem myself in the women’s doubles tomorrow.”
Faten Naijhah Ahmad Faik was the second bestplaced Malaysian in the 34player contest after chalking up 1,210 pins to finish seventh.
Defending champion Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal could only manage 1,201 for ninth place while Nur Ameerahusna Aznel was 17th with a 1,105 total.