By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, April 16: Malaysian athletes stamped their supremacy by taking the top three podium places in the just-concluded tenpin bowling championship for the Women’s Open division at the 45th MWA-Singha Thailand International Open on April 15.
Sensational Sarawak woman bowler Nerosha Keligit Thiagarajan came in second behind top-seeded Siti Safiyah Amirah in the final.
Her father, retired RMAF personnel Thiagarajan Ganapathy, told DayakDaily that he was delighted with his daughter’s performance and consistency in the game.
“Playing among top-seeded women players is not easy, but she gave everybody the challenge and showing her true ‘Anak Sarawak’ grit. This kind of championship will help her to be a better player in the future,” said Thiagarajan.
“I am pleased with her performance and hoped she would train harder for all the upcoming bowling events.”
According to the overall report of the event on the championship’s website, Siti clinched victory over Nerosha with a 257-216 score in the all-Malaysian championship match.
In the match, it was further stated that Siti wasted no time in taking a huge lead when the 29-year-old rolled seven consecutive strikes from frame two as Nerosha played catch-up.
Despite knocking down three consecutive strikes from frame five, Siti ultimately sailed through with the win and received 100,000 Thai baht (roughly RM12,941) for her effort.
As for Nerosha, she earlier brushed aside second-seeded Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong and winner of the first match, Shalin Zulkifli, in the second match with 235-184-213 that earned her 50,000 baht.
Shalin, who edged fourth-seeded Sin Li Jane and sixth-seeded Radin Nur Najwa by 231-200-226 in the all-Malaysian first match took home 25,000 baht.
Overall, Siti earned the top seed spot after finishing the earlier Round 3 finals with 1347 followed by Chan with 1314. Nerosha took the third spot with 1310, while Sin finished fourth with 1304. Shalin claimed the fifth spot with 1282, while Round 2 winner, Radin, clinched the sixth position with 1274.
Ultimately, Malaysian and top seeds Adrian Ang and Siti Safiyah Amirah captured the Men’s and Women’s Open Masters titles to give Malaysia a clean sweep in the championship.
Seventy men and 33 women participated in the 45th edition of the competition at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin, Bangkok. — DayakDaily
