PETALING JAYA – National bowler Muhammad Rafiq Ismail gave himself a pep talk after a horrendous start in the 16-man 10-game roll-off before emerging as the inaugural Gen Z Challenge champion in the 21st Storm Under-22 Junior All-Stars Bowling Championships at the Sunway Mega Lanes, Sunway Pyramid, here, today.
Muhammad Rafiq knocked down 2,334 pins to defeat Ahmad Aidil Abdul Halim, who came in second with 2,219 pinfalls and Muhammad Hazim Ali Hanafiah, who was third with 2,197 pinfalls.
“After I lost the second game, I was in second last position. That’s when I told myself that I must not surrender. So, I kept my composure, rolled the best that I could and, Alhamdulillah, I managed to win.
"Overall, it was a rollercoaster ride. But towards the end, I managed to catch up," he said.
He added that although the meet this time featured only local keglers due to restrictions put in place following the Covid-19 pandemic, it was still “a prestigious tournament” as it featured some of the best local talents.
"I feel very happy to end the year with a victory. The best part is that this is the first edition of the Gen Z Challenge, and I am the first person to win it!” said Muhammad Rafiq, who took home RM6,000 and a trophy.
In the women’s Gen Z Challenge, national bowler Nur Syazwani Sahar came out tops with 2,145 pinfalls, with Nurul Alyssa Junaidi (2,079 pinfalls) and Nur Amirah Auni (2,051 pinfalls) second and third respectively in the 10-bowler, 10-game roll-off.“I am happy. The fight was intense, and I made some changes, kept pace (with the others) and I made it. I think I started to break away in games seven and eight,” said Nur Syazwani, who received RM4,000 and a trophy. – Bernama, December 20, 2021
