Mr Consistent not resting on his laurels
PETALING JAYA: Rafiq Ismail is Malaysian bowling’s Mr Consistent, having rolled his way to so many impressive victories and podium finishes in his young career.
Last year, he was runner-up in the World Singles Championships in Cyprus and men’s Masters champion in the Asian Championships in Hong Kong.
This year, he starred for Malaysia with three gold medals in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, won the Singapore Open and finished second in the Thailand Open.
But even he knows that all that will count for nothing as he heads to the United States next week for a two-week playing stint in the Professional Bowling Association (PBA) Tour.
“It’s a new chapter in my career,” said the 20-year-old Rafiq, who received RM41,500 under the National Sports Council incentive scheme on Tuesday for his efforts at the KL Games.
“I may have won titles in the past, but it’s going to be a totally different thing altogether when I make my debut in the US next week.
“It’s the best tour in the world as all the top professionals ply their trade there.
“From what I’ve heard, it’s noth- ing like the ordinary Open and official tournaments that I’ve played in before, with tricky lane conditions and a vast array of oiling patterns. Some even said that southpaws like me would struggle to adapt there.
“I’ve always wondered how it would be like to play there. Well, I’m going to find out soon. I intend to make the most of the stint and learn as much I can.”
The six-member national side, also comprising Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Timmy Tan and sole woman bowler Shalin Zulkifli, will leave for Reno, Nevada, today.
They will compete in the PBA World Series of Bowling from Nov 7-19 as part of their preparations for the World Championships in Nevada from Nov 24-Dec 4.
The five- tournament series begins with the PBA Chameleon Championship, followed by the PBA Shark Championship, PBA Cheetah Championship and PBA Scorpion Championship before culminating with the PBA World Championship.
Tough or not, Rafiq has no intention to go to the US just to make up the numbers.
He is looking at reaching at least the top-16 match play stage.
“The key is to adapt to the lane as fast as I can,” he said.