Illustrious Shalin gunning for title No. 10 – the Masters

PETALING JAYA: What else can you say about national woman bowler Shalin Zulkifli?

She’s won almost every title there is since she first burst onto the scene as a 14-year-old back in 1992.

A veteran now at 39, even she could not have imagined that she would return from the World Championships in Las Vegas, the United States, a world champion for the third time.

Shalin, who won the women’s doubles silver with Sin Li Jane last Tuesday, anchored Malaysia to a third women’s team gold title on Sunday to take her personal medal tally to nine at the world meet.

Besides her triumphs with the team in Monterrey, Mexico, 2007 and Kuala Lumpur 2003; she also bagged the trios silver in Reno, Nevada, in 1995; singles bronze, doubles silver and All-Events silver in Abu Dhabi in 1999; and the team bronze in Las Vegas, 2003.

“I could not have asked for a better tournament after winning the silver with Jane and today we managed to reclaim the women’s team crown after 10 years,” said Shalin.

She’s not done yet though as she swiftly declared that she’s gunning for her No. 10 – in the Masters.

“I hope to end this outing on a greater note – by getting another medal in the Masters. It’s the only event I have not won yet,” said Shalin, who will have Li Jane, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman and Ahmad Muaz Fishol for company in the 24-bowler Masters finals.

On Sunday’s team victory, Shalin admitted to being amazed herself that “I have now accomplished the feat with three different generation of bowlers”.

In 2003, she won with Sarah Yap, Wendy Chai, Sharon Chai and Choy Poh Lai. Four years later, she did it with Esther, Wendy, Sharon Koh and Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi.

“I’m so happy and blessed to have played alongside some of the finest bowlers of the different generations,” said Shalin.

“I actually thought about it the night before (the team title playoffs). It was a long process for us to build this great team.

“During the finals, I didn’t make too many good shots, but the others covered for me.”

Muaz, meanwhile, will be seeking to salvage some pride for the men’s team when he competes in the Masters.

The men’s team finished empty-handed in the first four events.

“I’m going to give it my all and finish on the podium,” said Muaz, who came in third at the World Cup last month.

“It’s for the team.”