KUALA LUMPUR: The national youth squad may not return empty handed after all from the World Youth Championships in Detroit.
The boys and girls’ squads finished third in the first block of their respective team events on Tuesday.
The boys quartet of Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, Rafiq Ismail, Brandon Ting and Shahrukh Amin Zulkifli amassed a total of 2,569 pinfalls, finishing behind Japan (2,691) and the Philippines (2,587).
In the girls' team, Malaysia's Nur Syazwani Sahar, Gillian Lim, Nur Ameerahusna Aznel and Nur Amirah Auni Azman reeled in a total of 2,471 pinfalls for third position. South Korea topped the first block on 2,553, followed by the United States (2,482).
The teams completed their second block late on Wednesday.
"A superb 916 in the last game has put the our boys’ team in a very good position
"They made good shots in all three games and kept the momentum going to finish behind Japan and the Philippines," said team manager Maradona Chok in Detroit yesterday.
Maradona also praised his girls’ team for their superb show.
“It was another superb show of focus from the girls. They posted a massive 885 in the third game to push themselves up the standings,” he added.
Amid fears of returning empty handed for the first time since the 2002 edition in Pattaya, Maradona admitted that the squad this year were banking on the team events to deliver the goods.
At the previous edition in Nebraska, two years ago, Malaysia returned home with one gold through Natasha Roslan (girls' masters), two silver and three bronze medals.
As of Tuesday, Tun Hakim and Shahrukh Amin are 20th and 23rd in the boys’ all events. Only the top 24 bowlers will make the cut for the masters event.
While in the girls, Nur Syazwani still looks good to make the cut on seventh, while Nur Amirah Auni is currently placed 24th.