National bowlers make impression
15th March, K.Lumpur: National Backup squad member and Pahang Open champion, Zatil Iman impressed on her second attempt to move up to third in the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table of the on-going 30th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship. Zatil Iman, who won three gold medals at the 1st Asian University Bowling Championship held in Manila three days ago, stormed into the Ladies' Open Masters table with an impressive 4-game total of 943.
The 18-year-old and a member of the national team since 2004, made progress when she was called up to represent Malaysia in the Asian Youth Championship in Perth early last year. She came home with a gold medal in the Team event.
She almost made the World Youth team but lost to Sharon Koh in a roll-off. But Zatil never gave up and continued to train hard and the extra work she put in paid off when she captured the Pahang Open Masters title in November.
Meanwhile, National Elite squad members, Shalin Zulkifli and Esther Cheah maintain their top 2 position in the table with 960 and 953 posted yesterday and Monday respectively. 14-year-old Sin Lin Jane improved to take up seventh with 897 ahead of Syakira Yeoh, who also improved with 878.
National Backup squad member, Zaid Izlan remained top of the Men's Open Masters leaderboard with 994 posted yesterday ahead of Mohd Noer Said in second with 988. Two-time National champion Adrian Ang finished third with 960.
Just one pin adrift came Aaron Kong with a score of 959. The Doha Asian Games Trios gold medalist had lines of 247, 242, 235 and 235 to make the cut for the finals.
2005 Singapore Open champion and season campaigner, Jack Wong of Singapore took to the lanes to manage a 799 scoreline to head the overseas pool. Kim Ko-Won of Korea could post 698 to take up second spot.
Qualifying continues through to the 22nd March and the scores would be much higher as the majority of the overseas bowlers will arrive this weekend. The Masters finals will be held on the 23rd and 24th March.
Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.