The 7th wonder
The national women’s bowling team have become Malaysia’s seventh world champions this year. The “Super Six” of Shalin Zulkifli, Sin Li Jane, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Natasha Roslan and Esther Cheah reclaimed the wo
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian women’s bowling team are back at the top of the world after 10 long years.
The “Super Six” of Shalin Zulkifli, Sin Li Jane, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Natasha Roslan and Esther Cheah reclaimed the women’s team gold medal at the World Championships in Las Vegas.
Under the guidance of the wily 74-year-old Holloway Cheah, the girls led from start to end to pip arch-rivals and top seeds Singapore 2-0 (214-209, 188-177) in the bestof-three Baker format match play at the South Point Bowling Centre on Sunday.
The loss was a double blow for Singapore, whose team of Shayna Ng, Daphne Tan, Jazreel Tan, New Huifen, Cherie Tan and Joey Yeo were also beaten to the SEA Games gold by Malaysia in August.
Malaysia have now won the women’s world team crown three times, including Kuala Lumpur in 2003 and Monterrey, Mexico, in 2007.
It was also the nation’s sixth gold
since the inception of the world meet in 1954.
The other world three titles were delivered by Esther (women’s singles in Aalborg, Denmark, 2005); Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore (women’s singles in Hong Kong, 2011); and Allan Hooi, Edward Lim and J.B. Koo (men’s trios in Manila, 1979).
Prior to this year’s world meet, coach Holloway had billed the women’s team as “the strongest in recent years”.
This, however, was no hollow boast as the team, led by Shalin, who was part of the 2003 and 2007 winning sides, certainly lived up to his declaration.
In the semi-finals, Malaysia rallied from an opening 198-207 defeat to gun down formidable Colombia 248-168 and 182-181
over the next two games.
Colombia were represented by their US PWBA Tour professionals Clara Guerrero, Rocio Restrepo, Juliana Franco, Maria Rodriguez and Anggie Ramirez.
“We were confident all the way. I have said before that our team is very strong and we fear no one,” said a jubilant Holloway.
“We’ve shown that we are the best in the world!
“As these World Championships will probably be my last, the victory really means a lot to me.”
Holloway also did not let sentiment get in the way of team selection when he left out his out-ofform daughter Esther from the five-woman line-up for the semi-finals and final. Natasha, the youngest member in the squad at 20, came in for Esther, who was a member of the 2007 winning team.
“It was a very tough decision (to drop Esther),” admitted Holloway.
“But she understood my decision. It’s all about the team, not individuals. That’s why we are strong.”
Natasha and Syaidatul were clearly over the moon after striking gold in only their second world outing.
On a day when strikes were hard to come by, the duo contributed four out of the seven made by the team against Singapore.
Syaidatul, who played as the second bowler, struck both her frames in the first game while Natasha, the third bowler, did the same in the second.
“I’m super happy! This has to be the happiest day in my career ... and probably in my life!” said Syaidatul.
Natasha chipped in: “It’s just unbelievable. It was a great honour to compete alongside my seniors. Together, we’ve become world champions.
“It’s also a happy return for me to Las Vegas. This was also where I won the Masters gold at the World Youth Championships last year.”