Still a powder keg-ler
Veteran bowler strikes gold to show she still rocks at 41
The veteran kegler strikes back! Just when many thought Shalin Zulkifli was over the hill after being snubbed for the Women’s World Championships in August, the 41-year-old proved she can still roll with the punches – she got Malaysia off to a fantastic start at the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships in Kuwait by reclaiming the singles gold she last captured in Guam way back in 1994.
PETALING JAYA: If there’s one veteran athlete in the country you can never write off, it has to be Shalin Zulkifli.
After being snubbed for the Women’s World Championships in August, the 41-year-old’s days with the national team appeared to be numbered.
Not quite!
Shalin is back with a bang and yesterday she got Malaysia off to a fantastic start at the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships in Kuwait by reclaiming the singles gold she last captured in Guam way back in 1994.
Needing a strike in the last frame, Shalin kept her nerves in check and did just that to seal victory with a six-game total of 1,498 pinfalls to win by just six pins ahead of second-placed Nadia Pramanik of Indonesia.
Sin Li Jane made it a glorious 1-3 finish after chalking up a 1,471 total.
The day clearly belonged to Shalin, who continues to live up to her status as not just one of the most decorated bowlers in Malaysia, but also in the world.
“It was very special indeed. When I stood on podium to receive the medal, it brought me back to 1994 when I won gold on my debut,” said Shalin, who reeled impressive lines of 243-255-247232-243-278.
“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years already!
“But it’s really a huge relief to know that I still have what it takes to win. I have not won an individual gold since triumphing in the Masters event at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games two years ago.
“It has not been a pleasant year so far. I have been struggling to perform in the internal roll-offs due to my injury. I must thank the National Sports Council and National Sports Institute for their support during these trying times, I wouldn’t have done it without them.”
Trailing South Korea’s Kang Su-jin by 20 pins heading into the last game, Shalin made a superb charge with 11 strikes out of the perfect 12 which included the nail-biting final throw.
Shalin admitted feeling nervous despite having 26 years of experience competing at the highest level.
“Yes, there’s no denying (about her nervousness). But these are moments that always bring the best out of me.
“I love that feeling, honestly, the adrenaline rush during crucial times.”
The singles victory was her fourth gold at the Asian meet. She has now bagged 16 medals, including seven silvers and five bronzes.
Li Jane, meanwhile, was left pinching herself after seeing her name propelled from fifth to third in the standings when the official results were announced.
“Initially, I noticed that my second game score was wrong. I thought at most, maybe I would finish fourth. I was surprised and delighted when I saw my name moved to third,” said Li Jane, who was the champion in 2014.
“I’m happy to join Shalin on the podium. Hopefully, this good start will get the team going this week.”
Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman also impressed as she amassed 1,461 pinfalls to make it three Malaysians in the top 10, finishing a creditable eighth.
The other three bowlers in action were Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi (1,404,12th), Esther Cheah (1,351, 21st) and Nur Syazwani Sahar (1,272, 35th).