National bowler Hafiz Zainuddin (pic) is off to a strong start in the men’s Masters event at the Asian Championships after topping the first block of eight games in Bangkok yesterday. The 24-year-old, who won gold in the trios and silver in the singles and team event, was imperious in the medium oil pattern, downing 1,932 pins. South Korea’s Park Dong-hyuk finished second with 1,882 pins, while Hafiz’s senior teammate Rafiq Ismail came in third with 1,863. Only the top three out of the 16 bowlers in the masters event will advance to the stepladder finals today. Hafiz admitted that he was shocked to be on top. “In medium pattern, it can be erratic. There will be low and high scores, so I saw the previous events to adjust to the lane. I didn’t expect to score what I did today,” said Hafiz. “I was shocked. But that is bowling. If you feel confident, just repeat the shots and everything will come your way.

“I want to maintain this score. Today is long oil, so I need to be better. Despite my lead, anything can happen in bowling. “I have to be on my toes and ensure I get to the stepladder.” Hafiz also said he wants to win the Masters event for the late Datuk Dr P.S. Nathan, who was the founder of the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC). “We were shocked to know that Dr Nathan is no more. We met him during the Malaysian Open. We knew he was ailing but still the news was shocking to us. He always told us to work hard and never ever give up. Work hard and play smart in whatever you do. “He has inspired us. Now that we are overall champions, I want to give something more, which is to gift the Masters to him.” In the women’s masters, South Korea’s Jung Da-wun is leading the event with a score of 1,856. Malaysia’s Natasha Roslan is a close second with 1,849 pins. Another Korean Jeong Jeong-yun is third with 1,849 pins.

RESULTS

(Malaysians unless stated)

Masters

First block

Men: 1. Hafiz Zainuddin 1,932 pins, 2. Park Dong-hyuk (Kor) 1,882, 3. Rafiq Ismail 1,863

Selected: 7. Tun Ameerul Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam 1,682, 8. Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek 1,679, 10. Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin 1,657

Women: 1. Jung Da-wun (Kor) 1,856, 2. Natasha Roslan 1,849, 3. Jeong Jeong-yoon (Kor) 1,849

Selected: 4. Sin Li Jane 1,830, 7. Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal 1,781, 10. Gillian Lim 1,735