KUALA LUMPUR: Bowler Megat Zaqrul Haiqal Megat Zairudin agonisingly missed out on a medal when he finished fourth in the inaugural Youth World Cup in Lima, Peru yesterday.
The 20-year-old southpaw was narrowly beaten 224-223, 196-192 by Czech Lukas Jelinek in the bronze playoff at the Videna Bowling Centre.
Earlier, Megat's gallant run to the semi-finals was halted by German Zeno Janssen with a 236-235, 236-204 defeat.
"While I'm a little disappointed to miss out on the podium, finishing in the top four in a world major youth event is still something," said the national youth champion.
"I even bowled a perfect game during the qualifying rounds.
"It's always good to start the year on an encouraging note and I'm eager to build on it.
"My main goal for this year is to win gold or silver in the World Youth Championships (in South Korea in July)."
Megat had earlier advanced to the top-16 second stage as the third highest finisher in the 18-game roll-off.
Seeded second, he was drawn to face Puerto Rico's Edgar Burgos in the quarter-finals and won 229-209, 199-210, 245-187.
In the girls' division, Nur Hazirah Ramli had a top-eight finish. Seeded fifth, she lost 232-181, 192-183 to Colombian fourth-seed Sarah Duque.
Malaysia Tenpin Bowling Congress secretary general Maradona Chok said: "Megat and Hazirah bowled awesomely the whole week but were a little short during the knockout rounds. But that is the format and it's anyone's game."