National Championship Masters Winners

National Championship masters winners

35^TH ASTRO 35^th MALAYSIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

19^TH MARCH 2011

KANG & ZANDRA ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Johor’s Kang Bo Long and Selangor’s Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi, first time winners of the 35^th Astro Malaysian National Championship had different reasons for their triumph at the Sunway Mega Lanes this afternoon.

Kang went into the stepladder final as the challenger to play Kuala Lumpur’s Yusuf Abdul Raof who was the top seed and defeated him over two games – 226-176; 244-191.

Zandra, on the other hand, who was the top in the final, had to play in the deciding second game to beat challenger from Sarawak’ Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana 205-212; 195-179.

Kang, was out to prove that he still deserves a place in the national team setup after having been left out because of a decision by the National Sports Council (NSC) to disband the national back-up squad as part of their cost cutting measures.

In fact, Yusuf too was in the back-squad, but is still with the national team setup as he dropped to the youth squad as he was only 19 still eligible to be in the youth Under-21 squad which was still supported by NSC.

Kang, 25, was obviously over aged and was not eligible for the youth squad and not good enough for the national squad.

“I was really disappointed when the back-up squad was disbanded and was not good enough to make the national squad,” said Kang who hails from Johor but works in the Pro Shop at the KL Mega Lanes in Endah Parade.

“I was determined to prove myself in the national championship with the hope that I will be reconsidered for a place in the national team or for the back-up squad to be re-established.

“It was a do-or-die mission for me and I am glad that it all worked out well for me. I was a little nervous when I was up against Adrian as he was an experienced and talented bowler. But I stayed focussed on my goal and did well.

“As for the final, I went in confident to beat Yusuf, although it had to take me two games to defeat him as the challenger,” said Kang who won RM7, 000 for his title.

“It really feels great to have won the National title for the first time and just hope that my victory will pave the way for me to be with the national setup again.”

Yusuf on losing in the final despite being top seed said that he was nervous.

“Kang was more composed and experienced. I tried my best, but I just could not get my game going. I am still happy that I made the final,” said Yusuf.

Zandra was delighted that she because a first time winner after trying for so many times and despite having won the Malaysian Open title in 2007 and finishing runners-up in 2008.

“This is my first I qualified for the National Open final and I am elated that I won it finally. Besides, it is a great early birthday present for myself,” said Zandra who turns 25 on March 29.

“Dayang did well to give me a fright when she defeated me in the first game, but I was determined not to allow this chance to win the title slip by after finally having made the final.

“With victory, I hope that I will have a good year with the national team,” said Zandra who two bronzes medals (doubles and team) in the Interstate championship which ended on Friday.

Dayang on the other hand said that she tried her best, but experience saw Zandra edge her.

“I may not have won the title, but I am still happy that I qualified for the final despite being up against many experienced national players. I did well to win the first game against Zandra, but the lanes were drying up fast in the second and I had problems,” said Dayang who won three gold medals (All-events, Team and doubles) in the Interstate championship.

In the Milo Youth Boys Open Masters final Chong Jun Foo of Sarawak captured the Champion Title with a total of 1682 averaging 207.8. Penang’s Kho Beng Khai and another Sarawakian Aris Ardila finished 2^nd and 3^rd with 1628 & 1579 respectively. Pahang’s Faten Najihah took the Milo Girls Open Masters Champion with 1622 over 8 games averaging 202.8 , while Sabah’s Steffira Zeander Greater and Perak’s Fatin Azmira came in 2^nd & 3^rd with 1616 & 1595 resepctively.

In the Milo Youth Boy’s Graded finals, Johor’s Amirul Hafiz Noor Hiazat emerged champion with his total of 1552 over eight games, Kuala Lumpur bagged the silver and bronze through Muhd Aqil Izamudin and Mohd Syazwan with their total of 1535 and 1531 respectively.

However for the bronze medal, it was joint winners, as Negri Sembilan’s Muhammad Shahir had identical total scores with Muhd Aqil.

In the Milo Youth Girl’s Graded, Sabah’s Nurul Atikak Junaidi emerged champion with her total of 1561, while Sarawak’s Dayang Aida Natasha, the younger sister of national bowler, Dayang Khairuniza, finished second with her total of 1533. Selangor’s Noor Syazwani finished third with her total of 1529.

Sarawak continued to stamp their presence when they swept both the Graded Men’s and Ladies Masters title Daniel Tan and Caroline Chien topped field after 10 games.

Daniel had a total of 2171 for an average of 217.1 to win the title, while Julian Yan from Smack Pin/Kuala Lumpur finished second with his total of 2119. KL’s Omar Al-Hakeem finished third with his total of 2087.

In the Ladies category, Caroline amassed a total of 1927 for an average of 192.7 to win the title. Selangor’s Dina Nurnadia finished second with her total of 1927, while Penang’s Fatin Hazwani took third spot with her total of 1880.