Juniors lose their way at the alley

PETALING JAYA: It was not a good day at the alley for Malaysia at the Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships.

Only two juniors finished in the top 10 in the boys’ and girls’ events.

In the boys’ singles, Muhammad Syazirol Shamsuddin was placed sixth after he scored 1,282 pins after six games at the Megalanes Sarawak in Batu Kawa, Kuching yesterday.

Merwin Tan of the Philippines won the event with 1,352 pins. Second spot went to Australia’s William Clark (1,334) followed by South Korea’s Park Sang-hyeok (1,326).

In the girls’ category, Nurul Ayunni Junaidi (pic) came in seventh with 1,178 pins.

Macau’s Cheang Lok In won the event by three pins (1,263) ahead South Korea’s Kim Hyeon-ji. Another Korean Jeong Yeri completed the podium with a score of 1,209.

Team manager Robert Lu said some bowlers exceeded expectations and expects them to do better in the doubles today.

“Although we didn’t win, we are pleased with the boys’ performance. They shot over 200 in each of their six games,” said Robert.

“They did pretty well in a strong field. We know juniors from South Korea, the Philippines and Hong Kong are strong.

“As for the girls, they performed below par. We will be talking to them before the doubles.”

Robert Lu added that they stand a good chance to be on the podium today.

“The lane conditions would be different, but we are predicting our pairs to be on the podium. It is a different day, and I am sure they would have learnt from today’s singles.

“We are looking at improving on last edition’s haul of one gold, three silvers and a bronze.”

Malaysia secured their best medal haul of 6-3-1 in Macau in 2015.