KUALA LUMPUR: After ending a nine-year wait to win her fourth national crown, Sin Li Jane hopes she won't have to endure another drought for her next victory at the National Championships.
On Thursday, the 31-year-old defeated long-time teammate Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman 196-180 at Sunway Mega Lanes to clinch her first women's Open crown since 2014.
It was redemption for Li Jane as she had just finished runner-up to Sharon Koh last year.
With four victories to her name, Li Jane is just one win shy from joining the all-time successful list which comprises Datuk Shalin Zulkifli and Sharon Koh.
"I'm determined to do my best to catch up with them," vowed Li Jane.
"Hopefully the fifth will come soon and not another nine years!
"However, I'm not going to put unnecessary pressure on myself to achieve that."
Li Jane nailed her first in 2010, when she was just 18, two years after she was roped into the national team. She went on to win two more, with her second being in 2012.
Despite being already her fourth, Li Jane said every national title meant just as much to her.
"I'm incredibly happy, it's not easy to win four times. It proves that I'm still among the best in the country throughout the years."
It has been a fruitful last six months for Li Jane which saw her also end a nine-year drought to win her fourth Singapore Open title, adding to previous victories in 2010, 2013 and 2014.
She also came close to becoming world champion before coming in second to teammate Natasha Roslan in the singles event of the World Championships in Kuwait last month. She also helped Malaysia to clinch the team silver.
As for first-time men's Open winner Syazirol Shamsuddin, he has just proven why the coaches had made him the regular starter for all the major competitions since last year.
Syazirol denied senior Timmy Tan, the 2016 winner, his second title by carving out a 237-225 win.
Syazirol dedicated his win to his parents, who have been his No. 1 supporters and vowed to keep his feet firmly on the ground.
"I wouldn't have made it to this level without the blessing from my mother and father. Having them witness me becoming a national champion was special indeed," said Syazirol.
"This win didn't mean that I'm the best. I still have so much to learn from coaches and seniors, and I strive to become a better athlete each day."