Gillian Lim Siew Geok with her trophy and prize.
Musayyar Khalid (left) and Melvin Gilbert Gimang posing with their prizes after finishing first and second in the Youth U15 category. — Photos courtesy of Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak
Abang Afiq Yazid Abang Azman finished third in the Youth U18.
KUCHING: Sarawak junior keglers got off to an excellent start at the 41st MWA Singha Thailand International Open Tenpin Bowling Championship on Thursday when they captured two gold, one silver and one bronze medals.
Competing at the Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin Bangkok, out of the 14 youth bowlers from Sarawak, 12 qualified into the youth categories – three in the U15, five in the U18 and three in the U21.
In the Youth U15, 16-year old Gillian Lim Siew Geok downed 1,607 pins over eight games to grab the gold while teammate Abang Afiq Yazid Abang Azman, also 16, took the bronze with 1,592 pins.
The silver went to Thailand’s Kantaphorn Singhabubpha who felled 1,602 pins. Brandon Ting Lik How was fourth on 1,568 pins.
In the Youth U15 competition, Musayyar Khalid was in superb form, felling a total of 1,246 pins over six games to capture the gold.
Melvin Gilbert Gimang made it a one-two finish for Sarawak when he amassed 1,158 pins while Teerachata Rchatahiranyakan of Thailand was third with 1,137 pins.
Those who qualified for the Youth U21 were Nadine Kong, Muhd Syafiq Datu Sajeli and Nerosha Keligit and they are up against the best of the Thais and fellow bowlers from Semenanjung Malaysia.
Head coach Jackson Ting was very hunble about this successful outing, citing that winning is not everything at this present moment.
“The maturity of our young bowlers matters most. We will continue to strengthen our weaknesses and hopefully we will be more successful when the time is right.”
“Our goal is Sukma 2016 where winning matters. Meanwhile, we will continue build our team to optimum quality.”
“Our success is because of the good cooperation between our association, Sarawak State Sports Council, Sarawak Education Department, Ministry of Social Development, Sarawak Sports Corporation and parents of our warriors,” he added.