Bowler Mohd Hazim Alihanafiah made it a day to remember by claiming a stunning Masters win on the final day of the National Championships at Sunway Mega Lanes yesterday. Kuala Lumpur’s Hazim, who is not in the national team, became the unlikely men’s national champion after rolling 267 pins in the stepladder finals. He beat the hot favourite and Asian championships four-gold medallist Rafiq Ismail, who managed to hit only 241 pins. The 23-year-old Hazim was in dreamland after he managed to not only qualify for the stepladder finals but also landed the biggest win of his career so far. Hazim, who finished 15th in the qualifying round on Monday by knocking down 1,300 pins, produced a great comeback yesterday to finish top of the charts with 1,836 pins in the round robin to qualify for the stepladder finals against Rafiq who had 1,821 pins. “I am very happy and at the same time amazed that I beat a national bowler like Rafiq,” said Hazim. “I thank my parents who can’t be here with me today but they are my biggest supporters.

“I am not a national player yet but I hope with this victory, I will get more chances to take part in tournaments representing my country.” Hazim credited his father Alihanafiah Ishak, 75, for his win. “My father has been coaching me ever since I started at the age of six. Bowling was something I did as a leisure activity with my friends but my growing interest has pushed me to compete in tournaments.” Hazim’s next tournament is the Junior All-Stars Championship in December, which will be held at the same venue. He hopes to continue his good form in the tournament. “I bowl at Sunway Mega Lanes all the time. Hence, I am very familiar with this place and to compete in tournaments here,” said Hazim. Meanwhile, reigning Malaysian Open champion Gillian Lim added the women’s Masters title in the national meet to her collection after scoring 164 pins ahead of Kuala Lumpur’s Nur Syazwani Sahar, who rolled down 158 pins in the stepladder finals. “I am very happy to win my second title of the year. It has been a good year for me,” said 26-year-old Gillian. The Sarawak-born bowler was a double silver medallist for Malaysia (women’s trios and team) in the Asian Championships in Bangkok last month. 

RESULTS

Singles

Men: 1. Muhammad Hazim Alihanafiah (Kul) 267 pins, 2. Rafiq Ismail (Kul), 241. 3. Shaqeem Izwan Teh Shahrul Hafiz (Kul) 185.

Women: 1. Gillian Lim (Swk) 164, 2. Nur Syazwani Sahar (Kul) 158. 3. Sharon Koh (Ptj) 182.

Round robin (top 5)

Men: 1.Muhammad Hazim Alihanafiah (Kul) 1836, 2.Rafiq Ismail (Kul), 1821 3. Shaqeem Izwan Teh Shahrul Hafiz (Kul) 1783 4. Hafiz Zainuddin (Kul) 1747 5.Chong Jun Foo (Swk) 1726

Women: 1. Gillian Lim (Swk) 1758, 2.Sharon Koh (Ptj) 1708, 3. Nur Syazwani Sahar (Kul) 1660, 4. Sin Li Jane (Prk) 1657, 5. Natasha Roslan (Sel) 1643.