Persistence pays off for Rafiq
some point in time, not many were convinced with the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress' (MTBC) special youth squad.
It can, however, be put to bed after Rafiq Ismail silenced the critics by winning the singles gold medal at the Men’s World Championships in Hong Kong on Saturday.
In the final against Canada's Dan Maclelland, the 21-year-old Rafiq, a product of the special squad in 2011, ended Malaysia’s 39-year wait for a title in the men’s category, when he won 217-204.
Rafiq admitted it wasn’t easy having to come through the development squad but persistence bore fruit.
“Coach Holloway (Cheah) and Ben (Heng) have been the key figures behind my success, apart from my parents and MTBC.
“And lastly, I must also say that being part of the Podium Programme definitely raised my game and standard.”
Rafiq who joined the special squad at the age of 14, secured his place in the elite squad in 2013, the same year he debuted at the world meet in Las Vegas.
After getting into the Podium Programme two years ago, Rafiq went on to bag the Asian Championships masters gold, also in Hong Kong.
The Kuala Lumpur-born also shone at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in 2017 and the Indonesia Asian Games this year, winning four gold medals in total before becoming the first Malaysian to play in the US Open.
Rafiq also made headlines when he was shortlisted for the PBA Rookie of the Year award following his good showing in the PBA Tour.