Li Jane’s the one to beat
In-form bowler out to make clean sweep
Sin Li Jane will be counting on her good form to make a clean sweep of the four gold medals on offer in the women’s category at the Inter-State bowling championships starting today at the Sunway Mega Lanes.
The 23-year-old Perak representative is undoubtedly the most consistent national bowler.
Last year, Li Jane secured three titles – National Championships (April), Euro-Med International Masters Challenge in Manila (May) and Singapore Open (June) – as well as two silvers at the Asian Games. She also finished second at the World Cup.
She continued her hot streak at the Asian Championships in Bangkok in January. She bagged the doubles title with Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi – her Perak team-mate – as well as four bronze medals in the singles, team, All-Events and Masters.
Now, Li Jane will attempt to be the first bowler to complete a “grand slam” at the Inter-State competition which gets under way with the singles events today.
Retired former world champion Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore of Sarawak came close to accomplishing the feat at the 2012 competition.
She won golds in the singles, doubles and team events but settled for the silver in the All-Events.
“I’m going to bowl my very best for the state. It’s always my goal, like in the other competitions, to be on podium in every event that I compete in,” said Li Jane, who was a singles gold medallist at the Asian Championships in 2012.
“I just have to bowl my best without thinking too much about other things. If my total pinfalls are good enough to make me a winner, then it will happen on its own.
“I’m also pleased with the depth of our (Perak women’s) squad. When it comes to the team event, we are always capable of emerging champions.”
Li Jane and Syaidatul, who combined to win the doubles gold in the 2013 edition, will again form the core of the Perak team.
The others are former national back-up member Nazrinnah Mohd Kamil and Nor Syazana Rosli, who bagged the Under-20 crown at last year’s Indonesian Open.
The other favourites for the singles gold are Selangor’s Shalin Zulkifli and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman and Federal Territory’s Sharon Koh and Hee Kar Yen.