Latest news with #RafiqIsmail
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- 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
- Sport
- 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
- Sport
- 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.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Rising star Izz Naqiuddin bowls to KL Open victory
SUBANG JAYA: Rising national bowler Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin continued to stake his claim as a future star after clinching the Mixed Open title at the Kuala Lumpur Open on Sunday. The 21-year-old topped a strong 36-bowler field with 1,993 pinfalls over 10 games at Sunway Mega Lanes, finishing ahead of Ahmad Azriq Izam (1,951) and Ahmad Aidil Abdul Halim (1,882). The field included national stars like Rafiq Ismail and Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, as well as regional heavyweights Ryan Lalisang, Yannaphon Larpapharat and Australia's Sam Cooley — making Izz's win all the more impressive. "It felt great to come out on top today, especially in a field that had my idol Rafiq Ismail," said Izz, who earned RM30,000 in prize money. "I bowled consistently, didn't have to adjust much. I'm happy because hard work pays off." The victory marked Izz's third career title after winning the Penang Pesta International in 2023 and the Sonic Classic in Singapore last year. The win was also a timely response after a poor title defence at the Sonic Classic and a 16th-place finish at the Malaysian Open last month. Izz was a surprise pick for last year's Asian Championships in Bangkok, selected ahead of regulars like Timmy Tan and Ahmad Muaz Fishol, and he justified it by helping Malaysia win team silver. Now eyeing a spot at the World Championships in Hong Kong or Sea Games in Thailand later this year, Izz hopes this title will boost his case. "This gives me confidence. Only six make the squad, and it would be my debut if I get in," he said. "I'm saving most of the prize money but plan to buy something nice for my dad too." Nur Syazwani Sahar also impressed, retaining her women's Open title with a 10th-place finish (1,776). The 26-year-old had only returned from the United States last Friday after finishing joint 13th at the USBC Queens, where she competed against nearly 200 bowlers. "I started with a perfect game, but a bad pair of lanes threw me off. I regrouped and aimed for a 200 average, finishing with a 243," she said. "Given the jet lag, I'm pretty satisfied." Syazwani took home RM7,850 — RM7,000 for the women's crown and RM850 for her overall finish — and now shifts focus to next week's Singapore Open, where she's targeting a top-10 result. Faten Najihah Ahmad Faik and Lavinia Kho finished as the second and third-best women respectively. Among other notable national stars, Ahmad Muaz Fishol (1,815) and Hafiz Zainuddin (1,813) placed sixth and seventh, while Tun Hakim (1,786) was ninth. Rafiq (1,732) and Timmy Tan (1,706) ended 16th and 19th.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
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.
