Nur Hazirah bags tenpin bowling gold medal, Sarawak’s third

KUCHING (Aug 15): National bowler Nur Hazirah Ramli bagged the women’s singles tenpin bowling gold today, delivering Sarawak’s third Sukma XXI gold medal at Megalanes Sarawak, Batu Kawa.

The women’s singles competition was very stiff as the Kuching lass knocked down a total of 1,261 pins over six games with an average of 210 pins per game to top the field of 84 bowlers.

Finishing in second place just seven pins behind Nur Hazirah was Adania Mohd Redzwan of Selangor while Haiffa Hazlan of Federal Territories settled for the bronze with 1,239 pins.

Sarawak’s other representatives Claudia Kumang Jakson finished in 10th spot, Asya Dania Azree (17th), Lavinia Kho (21st), Andrea Tan (39th) and Dayang Yuma Azreen Abang Azman (55th).

The winners received their medals and Sukma mini mascots from Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, who is also the chef de mission of the Sarawak Sukma Contingent; Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS) president cum Assistant Chef De Mission for tenpin bowling Sunny Si Poh Heng; and ABAS deputy president Shaifulbahri Shukri.

Nur Hazirah told reporters later that she was happy with her performance today but felt it could have been better.

“Fortunately, l managed to maintain first position after Squad 1 and l am very thankful to win the gold medal.

“It was certainly my dream and target to win gold in my final Sukma outing and so far l have won nine medals. I won three in my first Sukma in Perak and five in the second Sukma in Kuala Lumpur,” she said.

On her preparations for this Sukma, she said it was rather tough as the training was very packed and she was competing in many national and international competitions and only managed to train intensively at Megalanes Sarawak for one week.

Adding on, Nur Hazirah said she will continue her quest for more gold in the women’s doubles event tomorrow, keeping her expectations low and vowed to give her best in the remaining events.

The men’s singles competition with 84 contenders saw Tsen Fan Yew ending up as Sarawak best finisher at sixth spot with 1,301 pins.

Wan Muhammad Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan of Terengganu bagged the gold with 1,375 pins while Shaqeem Izwan Teh Shahrul Hafiz Teh of Federal Territories and Emmanuel Fo of Sabah were second and third with 1,361pins and 1,342 pins respectively.