Triple joy for Abang Afiq as he rolls down third gold

BOWLER Abang Afiq Yazid Abang Azman of Sarawak is on a rolll.

The 21-year-old continued his hot run by teaming up withw Christopher Tiongg and Brandon Ting to clinch the boys’ trio title at Ampang Superbowl yesterday.

The trio were on top after the first three blocks on Monday and they maintained the momentum in the remaining three blocks yesterday to finish with a total of 3,779 pins.

Federal Territories trio Muhd Hazim Alihanafiah, Muhd Arash Pakhrurrazi and Mohd Hafiz Zainuddin were 203 pins behind to take silver while Penang’s Muhd Hariz Adlan, Megat Zaqrul Megat Zairudin and Muhd Shafiy Zaim placed third with 3,528.

It was the third gold medal for Abang Afiq after winning the boys’ doubles gold with Christopher and mixed doubles with Gillian Lim earlier.

Abang Afiq was pleased to improve on the silver won in the trios event at the last Games in Kuching.

“The oiling condition changes every day but I’m very happy we managed to adapt and carry our shots well,” said Abang Afiq.

“We started the second day with a 180-pin lead but struggled to strike form but fortunately, we got things back on track with the help from our coaches.

“This is my second Sukma and my best outing so far. I’ve won two golds (doubles and team) and two silvers (singles and trio) in Kuching, I’ve gone one up at this Games,” said the visibly delighted Abang Afiq.

“The team event is our main target. If we win the team event, everyone has a gold medal to bring back, so we want to defend it for Sarawak.”

Federal Territories bowlers Siti Nurzulaika Ismail, Siti Nurnadia Ismail and Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal took advantage of a slip-up from Sarawak’s Gillian, Nur Aina Kamalia Ayub and Nur Hazirah Ramli to bag the girls’ trio gold medal.

The Sarawak trio failed to defend a slim lead of eight pins after the first three blocks and ended ninth with 3,239 pins.

Siti Nurzulaika, Siti Nurnadia and Nora finished with 3,456 pins to beat Selangor trio of Ayra Nur Jehan, Iffah Nadhirah Farid, Nur Nais Falilnesa Isman, who had 3,441 pins to finish second.

Durriyah Ibrahim, Nur Syazana Salmy and Najwa Nazirah Amir won the bronze for FT with 3,358 pins.

Sarawak lead with four gold medals with four more to be decided in the respective boys’ and girls’ team and Masters.