RAFIQ Ismail is simply unstoppable right now.
Less than 24 hours after bagging the men’s singles title at the National Inter-State Championships, the 22-year-old clinched the doubles gold with Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek in Bandar Sunway yesterday.
Rafiq, the reigning world champion (singles), and Syafiq, who are representing Kuala Lumpur, amassed a 12-game total of 2,687 pinfalls ahead of
Selangor’s silver medallists Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam-Ahmad Muaz Fishol (2,553) and Sarawak’s bronze medallists Brandon Ting-Chong Jun Foo (2,510).
On Monday, Rafiq reeled in a six-game 1,383 total to see off silver medallist Jun Foo (1,349) and bronze medallist Muaz (1,331) in the singles event.
Now sitting comfortably at the top of the all-events’ table, Rafiq hopes to complete a grand feat by leading KL to the team title today.
Rafiq’s previous best feat was three gold (doubles, team and all-events) in 2015.
“I actually played a better game yesterday, but thankfully Syafiq covered up for me today,” said Rafiq yesterday.
“It wasn’t until the third game when Syafiq suggested me to change my ball, and that helped me bowl better.
“When you are playing with a teammate who is on fire, you are motivated to play a part.”
On his hopes of recording a clean sweep this year, Rafiq added: “Of course, it would be great to win it all but then again I have already qualified for this weekend’s National Championships by being the defending champion.
“Having said that, there are also a few important tournaments this year, which include the Sea Games in November.
“We don’t know who is going yet, but if I can maintain my form, I will have a good chance of making the team.”
For the record, Rafiq has so far won four international crowns this year, achieved at the Singapore Open, Euro Masters (Madrid), Hong Kong Open and the ABF Tour’s Hong Kong leg.
In the boys’ doubles, Kedah’s Fareez Aiman-Syazirol Shamsudin came out tops on 2,476, followed by KL’s Haikal Hazlan-Muhammad Arash (2,472) and Sarawak’s Zuhayr Redza-Abang Afiq Yazid (2,451).
KL’s Siti Nur Nadia Ismail-Najwa Hazirah won the girls’ section with a 2,534 total, followed by Terengganu’s Faqlia Hafiefa Roslam-Dini Nurina Azhan (2,416) and Sabah’s Nurul Ayunni-Nurul Alyssa Junaidi (2,382).