Timmy loses in semis but girls stay on track for team gold

JAYA: Malaysia’s bid for gold in the IBF World Cup continues, and all hopes would be pinned on the women’s team to achieve it.

Timmy Tan was the best finisher among the Malaysian men in the singles category when he finished fourth yesterday.

He lost to United States’ Kris Prather in the bronze medal playoff 279-288, 206-215 at the Suncity Tenpin Bowl in Queensland, Australia.

Timmy earlier lost to Germany’s

Paul Purps 254-258, 216-235 in the semi-final. In the quarter-final, he beat teammate Rafiq Ismail 223196, 187-226, 216-197.

Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek lost to Purps 158-209, 216-235 in the quarter-final.

Timmy said it was tough to lose the playoff match against Prather as he started well but could not continue the momentum to take down the American.

“Performance today was pretty good, but unfortunately, I could not win the bronze medal match.

“First game, we both had nine strikes in a row, and I got a 10-pin at frame 10, but just could not continue the momentum.

“As for my overall outing here in Australia, the first day I wasn’t bowling that well, and I fought from second last position and made it into the top-eight round robin.

“And then also make it into the semis. I guess I did well in this tournament, but I just had a lack of luck during the semis, I think.

“I bowled very well. I can put it that way, but my opponent did even better by a few frames, so it is what it is, I need to accept it and learn from it.

“In the next World Cup, I hope to go for gold. That will be my aim.”

In the women’s singles, Natasha Roslan lost to Germany’s Brigit Noreiks 185-217, 193-234 in the quarter-final.

The women’s team comprising Natasha, Esther Cheah, Sin Li Jane and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman will take on Sweden in the team semi-final.