National bowler Esther Cheah never gives up.

The 38-year-old Esther came back from a knee surgery to win the team silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Kuwait last year. Then she went through another slump. And on Sunday, she made yet another comeback by blazing the lanes to win her first professional title in the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Oklahoma Regional Tour. She has become the third Malaysian woman to win a pro title in the PWBA after Sin Li Jane and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman. “I’m still processing the win,” said Esther. “I haven’t really been bowling well all season, but I feel I’ve been improving with each tournament. Hopefully, I will continue doing well at the next tournament in Detroit.”

Still, the victory was no mean feat considering that the 38-year old Esther had only resumed training in July last year after a long break. Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) secretary-general Maradona Chok congratulated her and said, “This is definitely a big comeback. She is a fighter and has worked very hard to get back to her level.” “Having a surgery is tough on an athlete with a lot of uncertainties as to whether they can be at their best again.” Esther, he said, had actually been thinking of retiring after her injury but he had convinced her to continue as she could be role model to other athletes with her years of experience. “She is now the leader in the national team and her experience is very much needed especially after the retirement of Shalin (Zulkifli, the former national stalwart),” he said. “I’m glad that she soldiered on. She has the leadership skills to guide the team.”