Burning hot in Bangkok
Abu Bakar and Co win big in second leg of world meet
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian para bowling team have sent out an early warning to their regional rivals ahead of the Philippines Asean Para Games next January after a superb show in the Thailand WorldParaBowlingChampionships.
Malaysia pipped powerhouse South Korea to the overall title with seven golds, four silvers and two bronzes at the just-concluded tournament in Bangkok on Saturday.
South Korea came in second on 7-3-1, followed by Hong Kong in third with 4-1-4.
Veteran Abu Bakar Nyat, who won two gold medals at the Indonesia Asian Para Games last year, was the star performer when he secured a quadruple – TPB9 singles, TPB9 mixed all-events, TPB9 doubles and TPB8+TPB9+TPB10 trios.
Abu Bakar won the doubles with Azrin Rahim, while in the trios, he joined forces with Zahidi Lamsah and Amin Rashid.
The other three gold medals came from Hairul Miran in the TPB1 mixed all-events; Abang Yahya Abang Azhar (TPB4 mixed allevents); and Hairul, Suhaili Abdul Halim and Roni Tugiman (TPB1+TPB2+TPB3 trios).
National coach Steven Teng was pleased with his charges’ fine form. The team also bagged nine gold medals in the opening leg of this season’s World Para Bowling Tour in Singapore in July.
The Thailand meet served as the second leg of the three-legged series, with the final leg slated to take place in Manila in November.
“We lost the overall title to the Koreans by two gold medals in Singapore. I’m very happy that we have made amends this time,” said Steven, who has been instrumental in turning Malaysia into a force to be reckoned with in Asia since he took charge in 2010.
Steven believes the bowlers’ solid display augurs well for the Philippines Asean Para Games as they have set a seven-gold medal target.
“Our preparation for the Philippines Games is on the right track. In this championships, we identified some of our weaknesses and I’m glad that we still have time to do the necessary corrections,” said Steven.
“I’m currently working on the combination of our old and new athletes where Malaysia are strong at. We’ve a good opportunity to win our targeted seven in Manila as we have chances in 12 out of the 19 events contested.”
At the previous Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia emerged as the overall champions by dominating 11 out of the 18 golds on offer.
The four silver medallists in Bangkok were Abang Yahya (TPB4 singles); Zahidi (TPB8 mixed allevents); Abang Yahya-Syawani Marais (TPB4 doubles); and Khairul Ishak-Zahidi (TPB8 doubles).
The two bronze medals were contributed by Zahidi in the TPB8 singles and Fauzi Ghazali in the TPB10 singles.
Meanwhile, former Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) secretary-general George Tan has been elected as the president of the World Para Bowling (WPB) for the 2019-2022 term.
George’s main task is to work with the elected office bearers in developing and promoting the sport with an ultimate goal to successfully push for its acceptance in the future Paralympic Games.
(Note: TPB1, TPB2 and TPB3: visually impaired; TPB8: on wheelchair; TPB9 and TPB10: various physical impairment).