Ter-Rafiq!
Rafiq ends 39-year wait for Men’s World Championships title
Bowler Rafiq Ismail ended a 39-year wait for Malaysia to claim a title in the Men’s World Championships. The 21-year-old put up a terrific display at the South China Athletics Association Bowling Centre in Hong Kong to beat Dan MacLelland of Canada in the singles final. “I’m very happy. It’s my first medal in the World Championships and it turned out to be gold!” said Rafiq.
PETALING JAYA: Head coach Holloway Cheah identified Rafiq Ismail (pic) as a talented bowler destined to conquer the world in 2010.
And eight years later, the 21-year-old Rafiq proved Holloway right by winning Malaysia’s first gold in 39 years at the Men’s World Championships when he bagged the men’s singles gold in style in Hong Kong yesterday.
Rafiq defeated Canada’s Dan MacLelland 217204 in a one-game elimination final at the South China Athletics Association Bowling Centre in Causeway Bay – the same venue where he won the Asian Championships’ Masters gold two years ago.
Rafiq did not have the best start and found himself playing catch-up with MacLelland, the 2014 champion, who began superbly with a four-bagger to lead 108-89.
MacLelland, however, fumbled in the fifth
frame when he failed to convert a routine pin-10 spare and Rafiq made the most of his opponent’s costly error to turn the tide to his favour.
Rafiq made three strikes in a row and never looked back.
Earlier, Rafiq overcame American Kyle Troup in the semi-finals by the slimmest margin, winning 171-170.
The gold won by Rafiq was Malaysia’s second in the world meet history.
Malaysia have not tasted success since J.B. Koo, Allan Hooi and Edward Lim triumphed in the trios in the 1979 edition in Manila to hand the country their first and only gold in the history of the men’s competition.
Rafiq was over the moon after striking his maiden world meet gold at the third time of asking.
“I finally won a medal after three appearances, and it turned out to be gold!” said Rafiq, who finished 40th in 2013 and 54th last year.
“I’m so grateful for what I have achieved.
I have now won gold in every major tournament, SEA Games, Asian Championships, Asian Games and now the World Championships.
“I want to thank especially my parents. Without them, this would not have been possible. I also want to dedicate this win to my coaches Sir Holloway and Ben Heng, and my sponsor DV8.”
Malaysia will be counting on Adrian Ang and Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam to deliver the second gold when the duo compete in the men’s doubles semi-finals today.