Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s junior keglers had an impressive outing at the Johor Youth Open 2025 Championship with two golds, two silvers and one bronze at the Ampang Superbowl, Kluang held over the weekend.
The three-day competition divided into the Under-21, Under-15 and Under-12 categories saw 10 of them reaching the top eight masters’ round in their respective category.
Muhammad Khairie Syazwan Mohd Shaharuddin, who eventually finished as runner-up in the boys’ Under-12 category, had earlier created history by scoring a ‘Perfect Game 300’ in game five to qualify as top seed for the stepladder final and also taking home the RM500 prize money.
Sabah won the two gold medals through Natalie Chong Yi Wen and Nur Jeehan Iezzaty Suffian, with both living up to their top billing by taking the girls’ Under-15 and Under-21 titles respectively.
Brendon Liew Tze Fui delivered the other silver in the boys’ Under-21, while the bronze came from Muhammad Zaki Abdul Rahman in the boys’ Under-15.
The other top eight finishers were Aisyah Hana (7th - girls’ Under-12), Trsiten Lee Yan Wai (6th - boys’ Under-15), Juaeril Adem Junaidi (8th - boys’ Under-21), Nur Aleeya Syakirah Awang Ali (4th - girls’ Under-21) and Nurzawanah Zulkarnain (5th - girls’ Under-21).
Sabah Tenpin Bowling Association deputy president Aisyah Abdullah, who led the 17-member squad with two coaches and three official, was delighted with the overall performance of the athletes.
“This is an extraordinary achievement. The athletes have displayed high fighting spirit throughout the competition and the result showed that Sabah is no longer just a challenger, but a new superpower in the Malaysian tenpin bowling arena,” she said.
She also paid credit to the coaches and accompanying officers for their dedication and hoped the latest success will be a source of encouragement to all youth athletes to continue to strive and bring glory to the State on the national and international stage.
