RAFIQ AND AMY GRAB TOP HONOURS
Bowling recognised with three awards
AMY Kwan entered the history books as the first ever gymnast to win the Sportswoman of the Year award while bowler Rafiq Ismail scooped the men’s title at the 2018 National Sports Awards ceremony at Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Both athletes received their awards from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Amy, 24, was given the recognition following her exploits in winning four medals at last year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Her best effort was clinching the gold medal in the ribbon apparatus in Gold Coast.
“This has got to be my proudest moment, to be the first gymnast to win this award. Hopefully, this award will draw more attention to the sport and encourage other young gymnasts as well,” said the rhythmic gymnast, who was also named Olympian of the Year last December.
As for Rafiq, it was clearly a night to remember, especially after the 22-year-old saw off other strong challengers, including former world champion Azizulhasni
Awang.
Rafiq’s victory, however, comes as no surprise following a stunning year.
Apart from clinching the Indonesia Asian Games masters gold medal, Rafiq also became the first Malaysian male to be crowned world champion when he won the singles title in Hong Kong.
“It feels like a dream to be the Best Sportsman of the Year,” he said. “It’s long overdue for bowling because the last bowler to win it was Shalin Zulkifli (in 2002), so this victory is for the sport.
“As a non-Olympic sport, it's always tough to compete. We're also not in the Commonwealth Games. So we have to shine in world meets and Asian Games,” Rafiq added.
There was more joy for Malaysian bowling fans and the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress as they raked in two more awards through world champions (in doubles) Adrian Ang-Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, who clinched the men’s Team of the Year award while national chief coach Holloway Cheah walked away with the men’s Coach of the Year title.
Rafiq and Amy each received RM20,000, a trophy and a certificate.