MALAYSIAN GIRLS PROVE TO BE ALLEY QUEENS WITH TWO-GOLD STRIKE IN ASIAN JUNIOR MEET 

PETALING JAYA, June 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian girls blazed the lanes to deliver two gold medals on the third day of the 23rd Asian Junior Bowling Championships at the Sunway Mega Lanes in Bandar Sunway here today.

Afiqah Kamilia Ali was in inspired form as she clinched the girls’ All Events gold by turning on the style in all four categories for a total score of 3,694 pinfalls - singles (1,264 pinfalls), doubles (1,210), Team1 (589) and Team2 (631).

It was a memorable day for Malaysia in the girls’ All Events as another youngster, Intan Nor Edryana Nor Azliman made it a 1-2 finish by clinching the silver medal after knocking down a total of 3,680 pins.

The 18-year-old Afiqah Kamilia then helped Malaysia A, also comprising Intan Nor Edryana, Nur Ainul Hayat Ad Nor and Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee, to emerge triumphant in the girls’ team event with a 4,720 total score.

Afiqah Kamilia, who is making her second appearance in the championships, said she never expected to outplay bowlers from other countries but is, nonetheless, proud to make sure the national anthem of Negaraku is played at the venue.

"I did not expect a podium finish today (but), Alhamdulillah, we got two gold medals. I want to thank my parents (and teammates) for always giving their support.

"For the Masters event, I do not want to put any pressure on myself but I will definitely do my best,” she said.

Meanwhile, Amin Zulkarnain Zulkifli, Eldred Kho Yek Zhen, Muhammad Aiman Syahin and Muhammad Aqil Faizal of Malaysia B also did well to clinch silver in the boys’ team event after knocking down a total of 4,917 pins.

Malaysia, who finished day two empty-handed, began their campaign with two bronze medals through Ethan Damian Goh (boys’ singles) and Qurratu’ain Izdihar Mohd Pozi (girls’ singles) on Tuesday (June 18).

Fourteen teams, including Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, China, Indonesia, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Macau and Pakistan, are competing in the June 16-23 championships.

-- BERNAMA