Bowler Rafiq aiming to strike gold in last youth meet

PETALING JAYA: National bowler Rafiq Ismail (pic) will make one last bid to win gold in the World Youth Championships (WYC) after all.

Yesterday, the 20-year-old was named by the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) in the eight-member squad to the WYC in Detroit, United States, from July 24-Aug 3.

Joining Rafiq in the four-boy team are Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, Hafiz Zainuddin and Brandon Ting while the girls’ squad comprise Nur Syazwani Sahar, Nur Amirah Auni Azman, Nur Ameerahusna Aznel and Gillian Lim.

The MTBC had earlier considered omitting Rafiq because the world Under-21 meet is too close to the Jakarta Asian Games (Aug 18-Sept 2), which is the national team’s top priority.

But the MTBC selection committee have conceded that the team needed Rafiq after all.

“The WYC is one of the major championships that we always strive to do well in, hence MTBC must put together the strongest squad available,” said MTBC secretary-general Maradona Chok.

“Rafiq’s inclusion in the WYC squad shows that we do have a lot of faith in him.

“We are convinced he is able to handle the double duty in the span of six weeks.

“A solid outing in the US may even boost his confidence ahead of the Asian Games.”

Rafiq and Tun Hakim will have some unfinished business to attend to when they resume their partnership in the upcoming WYC.

The pair seek to go one better in the boys’ doubles event after losing to Americans Anthony Simonsen and Wesley Low Jr in the final to settle for silver in Nebraska, the US, two years ago.

Tun Hakim had also claimed bronze in the boys’ Masters.

All eyes will also be on the girls if they can emulate the one gold, one silver and two bronze medals haul in 2016.

Natasha Roslan, who ended Malaysia’s eightyear gold drought in the WYC with her girls’ Masters triumph, won’t be defending her title as she is overage while Victoria Chin – who delivered silver in singles and bronze in All-Events – is no longer with the national team.

Syazwani is the only returning member from the previous squad that claimed bronze in the team event.

“We’re counting on Syazwani to play the leading role. Despite having three new faces, I have do doubt this team will spring a few surprises for us as these girls are all fighters,” said Maradona.