Adrian finally triumphs

ASTRO 24TH INTERSTATE BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2011

17th March 2011

Penang’s Adrian Ang finally broke his jinx of missing out on gold medals when he partnered fellow national bowler Aaron Kong to win the men’s doubles gold medal in the Astro 24th Interstate Bowling Championship at the Sunway Mega Lanes this afternoon.

Adrian, who turns 23 on July 16, has been having frustrated moments since the Milo All Stars and Penang Pesta championship in December, followed by the V Commonwealth Bowling Championship last month and Brunswick Euro Challenge in St Maximin, France last week.

At the All Stars, Adrian finished sixth, in the Penang Pesta finished third and in the Commonwealth championship he only had won silver medals in the mixed doubles, team event and a bronze in doubles. He topped the All-events, but no medal was awarded for this event. At the tournament in France where he had finished second in 2010, he only managed to finish 13th.

On Wednesday, his frustrations continued when he missed out on a medal in the singles event when he finished fourth.

And today, Adrian was under the impression that his jinx was going to continue as he and Aaron were placed 3rd going into the final game and leaders, Selangor’s Alex Liew and Daniel Lim were 112 pins ahead.

But things turned out for the better for Adrian and his partner when they finished with a total of 2587 to win the gold, while  Alex and Daniel with a poor 145 and 157 last game respectively dropped to this spot with their total of 2543.
Johor’s national elite bowler Muhd Nur Aimn and former national back-up bowler Kang Bo Long finished second with their total of 2565.

“Finally I manage to win a gold medal. It maybe just a medal in an Interstate championship, but for me a win is a win no matter how big or small the championship is,” said Adrian whose last victory was the Guangzhou Asian Games doubles gold medal partnering Alex.

“The win is timely because I was already wondering how long I am going to go on without winning medals. This win has really boosted my confidence and am really looking forward to better days ahead.”

However, Adrian said that they were lucky to win the gold too because Alex and Daniel faltered in the last game.

“We had no clue that we had won, until after the game. We had resigned to being placed second or third because Alex and Daniel were leading by more than 100 pins.”
Aaron, on the other hand paid tribute to Adrian.

“It is Adrian who won this gold medal. I did not bowl well and it was Adrian who carried me along,” said Aaron who had lines of 200, 194, 192, 170, 248, and 203 for a total of 1207 for an average of 201.

Adrian had lines of 211, 216, 247, 215, 236, 255 for a total of 1380 and a high average of 230.

“Adrian not only covered for me throughout, but also his high 248 in the final game won us the gold.

“I am happy for Adrian for he has finally overcome his jinx. He has been bowling well throughout, but has just been unlucky.”

Adrian also leads in the All-events after two events with his total of 2618, while Alex is second placed with his total of 2548. Kang is third with his total of 2538.

In the boy’s doubles earlier, Selangor the perennial force in the championship went to stamp their mark with Muhamad Hafiz Fikri partnering Muhammad Aizudeen Mustaqin winning gold with their total of 2430.

The silver was won by emerging force in the sport, Sarawak, through Christopher
Tiong, the Peter Yap Memorial Cup winner on Tuesday night and Muhd Syafiq Sajeli with their total of 2382.

Perak’s Muhamad Fazrin Khairul Faizal and Muhd Izzul Fahmi Ibrahim picked up the bronze with their total of 2345.

Selangor who had only one gold medal to show yesterday went to win their third in the Girl’s doubles when Natasya Roslan and Dina Nur Nadia downed 2462 pins.

Perak’s Nursyamimi Supardi and Syaidatul Afyna won the silver but were 114 behind leaders.

Penang’s Nur Amirah Auni and Fatin Hazwani won the bronze with their total of 2300.