KUALA LUMPUR: The national bowlers failed to make an impact on the opening day of the Asian Youth Championships in Kuching on Saturday.
In the boys’ singles, Syazirol Shamsudin was Malaysia’s best performer by finishing sixth on a 1,282 total followed by Nevern Netaneel Marcellinus (12th — 1,253), Hafiz Zainuddin (14th — 1,248) and Shahrukh Amin Zulkifli (20th — 1,201).
Merwin Tan of the Philippines won the gold medal with a six-game total of 1,352 pinfalls, while Australia’s William Clark (1,334) and South Korea’s Park Sang-hyeok (1,326) finished second and third respectively.
In the girls’ category, Nurul Ayunni Junaidi was the country’s highest-ranked bowler by finishing seventh with a 1,178 total, followed by Gillian Lim (16 — 1,104), Nurul Alyssa Junaidi (21st — 1,056) and Nur Syazwani Sahar (28th — 996).
Macau's Cheang Lok In surprised her move illustrious rivals by topping the event with 1,263 pinfalls, while Korea’s Kim Hyeon-ji (1,260) and Jeong Yeri (1,209) finished second and third respectively.
The tournament will continue today with the boys and girls’ doubles.
In the 2017 Manila edition, Malaysia returned with a haul of 1-3-1.