A golden double
Tun Hakim-Adrian gel well to lift world men’s doubles crown
The Jalur Gemilang was raised for the second time at the South China Athletics Association Bowling Centre in Hong Kong after Adrian Ang and Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam won the doubles gold in the Men’s World Championships. On Saturday, Rafiq Ismail claimed the singles gold medal, ending a 39-year wait for a Malaysian to claim a title at the world meet.
PETALING JAYA: It’s raining gold for Malaysia as the Jalur Gemilang was raised for the second consecutive day at the Men’s World Championships in Hong Kong.
Debutant Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam and seasoned campaigner Adrian Ang clicked well in their debut partnership to realise their respective ambitions of becoming the world champions yesterday.
And they did it in style by outplaying favourites Andrew Anderson-EJ Tackett of the United States 433-370 in the one-game elimination final at the South China Athletics Association Bowling Centre.
Malaysia led from the start until the end with Tun Hakim posting a flawless 228 that included six strikes and five spares while Adrian chipped in a 205 after mixing five strikes with three spares.
Tun Hakim-Adrian were on a roll from the start as they earned a convincing 458-412 win over Canada’s Dan MacLelland-Francois Lavoie in the semi-finals earlier.
The gold won by Tun Hakim and Adrian Ang, in addition to the singles title delivered by Rafiq Ismail on Saturday, ensured Malaysia their best-ever outing in the world meet.
The two-gold haul surpassed the one gold and one bronze haul won in Manila in 1979.
Tun Hakim was left pinching himself after striking gold in his maiden outing.
“It’s unreal. I never thought I could achieve my dream of becoming a world champion as such an early age,” said the 19-year-old, who was just promoted to the senior team in April.
“But I certainly felt like I deserved something from the hard work that I put in back home.
“The key to victory today was to stay calm, make good shots and don’t miss any spare.
“I must thank Adrian and the coaches for guiding me throughout, our close communication made this win possible,” he added.
In stark contrast to his partner golden debut, Adrian was overjoyed to finally land a coveted crown in his sixth appearance.
“I have really come a long way ... it took me six times to finally win my first gold!” said Adrian, a quadruple gold medallist at the 2011 SEA Games.
“I’m also relieved in a way because this year has not been treating me too well.
“I have never failed to be on the podium at least once a year since I joined the national team in 2004 and I now manage to keep that record intact with a world title.
“It surely can’t get any better than that,” added Adrian, who last tasted victory winning the Macau leg of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour in June last year.
Team manager Maradona Chok hailed the duo for showing nerves of steel against the more illustrious Americans.
“It was a truly world-class performance by Adrian and Tun Hakim,” said team manager Maradona Chok.
“They took the pressure head on and put in a confident game to deliver the team second title.
“These two days showed the world what Malaysian athletes are made of true grit!”
The team will be hoping to ride on the positive momentum as Malaysia bid to turn things around in the team event, which resumes today.
Rafiq, Adrian, Tun Hakim, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek and Timmy Tan could only manage a 2,922 total after completing the first block of 15 games on Saturday.
They are left with a mountain to climb as they currently trail the top-four cut for medal playoffs by 162 pins.