Zulmazran vows to strike gold for wife
KUALA LUMPUR: Behind every successful man is a woman. Just ask national bowler Zulmazran Zulkifli.
The 29-year-old Zulmarzan, who tied the knot with Rushmirin Asni in Petaling Jaya yesterday, hailed her role in helping him recover from a slump since 2010.
“I hurt my wrist during the Asian Games in Guangzhou. I was at a crossroads then, not knowing whether I should carry on with my bowling or not. Then Rushmirin came into my life,” said Zulmazran.
“She encouraged me and has been a great motivator ever since. She has a positive attitude and I must thank her for helping me turn around my bowling career,”
The former Asian Championships gold medal winner recovered from his wrist injury and went on to win a singles gold medal at the 2011 Commonwealth Games. He then won his third Malaysian Open title in May this year.
To show his appreciation and gratitude to his wife, Zulmazran has vowed to strike gold at next year’s World Championships in Henderson, Nevada, from Aug 17-31.
“I’m not planning to slow down after my marriage. I love bowling and my wife will also not want me to give it up as well,” said Zulmazran.
“My ultimate goal is next year’s World Championships. I haven’t won at that level and a goldmedal would be the perfect gift for Rushmirin.”
A world meet gold is the only missing silverware in his collection. Zulmazran won a trios bronze with Aaron Kong and Ben Heng as well as a team silver at the 2006 edition in South Korea.
Aaron quit the sport last month due to a back injury while Ben is currently one of the coaches assisting Holloway Cheah with the national team.
“It’s going to be difficult but I’m willing to put in the extra effort to further improve my game. The world meet attracts a challenging field, including top bowlers from South Korea and the United States. I must be ready for it,” he said.
Besides Zulmazran, the other men bowlers in the national team are Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Muhd Nur Aiman Khairuddin, Isaac Russell Paul and Aris Ardilla Santosoh.
The national women bowlers are Shalin Zulkifli, Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Esther Cheah, Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi, Dayang Khairuniza Abang Jamalidon, Hee Kar Yen, Sharon Koh, Sin Li Jane, Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore and Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani.