The nation’s best

Bowler Rafiq and gymnast Amy named as top athletes

KUALA LUMPUR: Bowler Rafiq Ismail and rhythmic gymnast Amy Kwan added another feather to their cap when they were named the 2018 Best Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.

They received the awards from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in a ceremony held at a hotel here yesterday.

Both are first-time winners but it was Amy who hogged the limelight as she is the first gymnast – male or female – to land the top gong since the awards’ inception in 1966.

The 24-year-old impressed at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast with four medals including a gold in the ribbon apparatus.

She also anchored Malaysia to the team silver and bagged bronze in the all-around and hoop.

Amy was over the moon with her second major accolade after picking up the women’s Olympian of the Year award last December.

“It’s an unbelievable night!” said Amy. “I didn’t put too much hope on winning it as the other candidates also boast strong credentials. Also, this was my first time being nominated.

“Tonight is even more meaningful (compared to the Olympian award) because my parents are also here.

“I’m also very proud to have created history as the first gymnast to win. With this recognition, I hope there will be more attention given to the sport and help boost the confidence of all young gymnasts.”

The award has certainly put a smile on Amy’s face as she recovers from a surgery on her left ankle.

It was also a momentous day for Rafiq, 21, as he fended off another challenge from track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang to deny the latter a fourth title.

Just a fortnight ago, the bowler pipped the Pocket Rocketman to the 2018 Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) Best Athlete award.

Rafiq became the first men’s bowler to win the award since Michael Chuah in 1984.

Rafiq won the Masters title at the Indonesian Asian Games in September and the singles gold at the World Championships in Hong Kong two months later.

“It’s a dream come true. It’s one of the must-win award for me,” said Rafiq.

“It’s long overdue as the last bowler to win it was Shalin (Zulkifli for Best Sportswoman) in 2002, so this victory is for the sport. Being a non-Olympic sport, it’s tough for us bowlers to get recognition. We’re also not in the Commonwealth

Games.

“So we have to do well at the world meet and Asian Games.”

Both received RM20,000, a trophy and a certificate each.