Rafiq eyeing comeback at KL Open which offers big prize money
PETALING JAYA: Any bowler will happily settle for runner-up finishes but not Rafiq Ismail (pic).
The 27-year-old wants to make the Kuala Lumpur Open as the stage to make up for his disappointment after not winning any championship so far this season.
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The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Roaring back to top
Simply sensational: Rafiq Ismail posing with the trophies after clinching the Singapore Open crown at the Singapore Bowling Centre in Rifle Range yesterday.
The Star
13-06-2025
- The Star
Bowler Rafiq roars to first win this year by lifting Singapore Open title
Well done: National bowler Rafiq Ismail. PETALING JAYA: National bowler Rafiq Ismail has finally broken free from the shackles of near-misses. After enduring heartbreak in three previous finals, the 28-year-old Rafiq ended his title drought by clinching the Singapore Open crown but not after some tense moments at the Singapore Bowling Centre in Rifle Range yesterday. It was so close but Rafiq held his nerves to edge compatriot Megat Zaqrul Haiqal Megat Zairudin 193-190 in a nerve-wracking stepladder final. Rafiq was happy to get the monkey off his back this season. "I've had my share of final defeats at the National Championship, the World Cup in Hong Kong, and the Scorpion Open at the PBA World Series of Bowling earlier this year. All those losses however, lit a fire in me," said Rafiq. "Stepladder finals are ruthless, there's no room for error. I focused on composure, made every frame count, and this time, the title came home." This win marked Rafiq's third Singapore Open title, having also lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2019 – but this one, he admitted, was extra sweet. "It's been six years since my last win here, and to break the final curse after months of frustration, it means everything. "I knew I had it in me. Even in the second round, when I finished second, I stayed positive. That mindset made the difference." Rafiq had been in dominant form throughout the tournament when he towered above the rest during the qualifying round after knocking down 4,350 pins, a staggering 281-pin lead over Australian Bernie Grueso Jr. at the second spot. Rafiq finished second with 1,457 pins in the second round to book a spot in the stepladder finals, while Zaqrul had earned direct passage to the stepladder final as the top seed with 1,490. In the knockout round, Rafiq defeated Syazirol Syamsuddin 279-222 to set up match against Zaqrul. Syazirol had earlier knocked out Singapore's Nigel Fernandez 289-216 in the first stepladder clash. Rafiq is now setting his sights on the Hong Kong Open end of this month. RESULTS First round: Syazirol Syamsuddin (Mas) bt Nigel Fernandez (Sin) 289-216. Second round: Rafiq Ismail (Mas) bt Syazirol 279-222. Final: Rafiq by Megat Zaqrul Haiqal Megat Zairudin (Mas) 193-190.
The Star
13-06-2025
- The Star
Rafiq zooming in for success in Singapore
I'm back: Rafiq Ismail has entered the second round in the Singapore Open qualifying round. PETALING JAYA: Malaysian bowling ace Rafiq Ismail (pic)delivered a commanding performance at the Singapore Open, proving once again why he's regarded as one of Asia's elite bowlers. Competing at the Singapore Bowling Centre in Rifle Range, the 28-year-old topped the men's qualifying standings in emphatic fashion, racking up 4,350 pins, a staggering 281 pins ahead of second-placed Bernie Grueso Jr. of Australia.
