Simply awesome Najwa of Wilayah Perseketuan

(Report and photos by Tony Lim)

13th SUKMA, Melaka, MIBC Bowling Centre - Awesome...that is best word to describe the performance of Radin Nur Najwa Arifah bt Radin Zulfakaer in the Girls Singles event. Najwa won the first gold medal offered in bowling and also became the first girl bowler to bowl a perfect game in the championship.

17 year old, Najwa of SMK Puteri Titiwangsa had big plans in mind going into the singles event and she did that in stunning fashion by notching up games of 248, 256 and 248 to take the lead and then followed up with a high of game of 300 to set a new one game record for the championship.

However the perfect game nearly cause her to lose concentration in the fifth game when she lost her line but a quick discussion with her coach Dzulkarnian helped her to regain her composure and line back again to bounce back and score a 215 game to put her in good position for the gold.

But then in the sixth and final game, Najwa was struggling to find her line again when she opened two frames and was under pressure. She did not know how far she was leading. Again she consulted her coach and the magic touch was back in her hands to enable her to strike home for a 232 and in the process recorded a total of 1499 pinfalls to average 249 and set a new record for the singles event.

“I wanted to win a gold medal in the singles event and I put in extra effort in my training. We had mental training sessions on how to stay focus so that I am fully prepared to face whatever that may arise during the event. Thankfully all that extra effort paid off when I was told that I had won the gold medal after the final game,” said Najwa.

“This win means a lot to me especially for Wilayah Perseketuan and the officials who were behind the team and all who supported us throughout, especially my parents. But I like to express my gratitude to all the coaches who had helped me like the state coaches, Steven Teng and Dzulkarnian and National Youth coaches Foong Tak Meng and Azidi Ameran.”

The silver medal was won by Hee Kar Yen also Wilayah Perseketuan who scored 213, 247, 247, 236, 232 and 255 for a total of 1430 pinfalls to average 238 for the six games singles event while Fatin Syazliana of Penang who scored a total of 1394 pinfalls pip Jacqueline Sijore of Sarawak by 2 pins to take the bronze medal.

The early pace was set by Fatin Azmira of Perak when she open the singles event with a 257 game but the lead changed hand when Najwa score a 248 followed by a 256 in the second game to take the lead. Although Kar Yen posted 2 high games of 247 and 247, Najwa just pulled away further and was 92 pins ahead going into the last game.

“I tried my best in every game and every time I bowled a good game, Najwa replied with a higher game so I told myself to fight it out all the way and see what happens and although I gave my best, it was not good enough but I am happy that my team mate Najwa won the gold and I hope that I will do better in the next event. I am sure that Najwa feels that way too,” said Kar Yen who had a very good showing in the Asian Youth Championships but never won a medal so this medal could be the silver lining for her.

The bowling event of the 13th SUKMA in Melaka was held in the new 52 lanes centre at Melaka International Bowling Centre and the bowlers, officials and spectators filled the centre to the brim to watch all the action and excitement on the first day of competition.