# Malaysia beat arch-rivals Singapore to end a 10-year wait
A highly motivated Malaysia overcame arch-rivals and top seeds Singapore in two games – 214-209, 188-177 – to win the women’s team event in the 2017 World Bowling Championships at South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on Sunday – ending a decade long wait.
Malaysia last won the gold in the event in Monterrey, Mexico in 2007 to add to the first gold won in Kuala Lumpur in 2003. Singapore had won the silver in 2011 and the bronze twice – in 2009 and 2015.
The Malaysians however, led by evergreen Shalin Zulkifli, had to stave off a determined Singapore side who held an advantage in both games but were unable to close things out when it mattered most.
Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, who won the silver in the all-event (made up of scores in singles, doubles, trios and team of five event) was quoted as saying “we were motivated by the silver efforts” to win the gold.
“After coming short in the doubles (Li Jane and Shalin) and myself in the all-event, we were motivated for the gold,” said Siti Safiyah.
Apart from Siti Safiyah’s silver Malaysia had also won the silver in the women’s doubles through Shalin and Sin Li Jane.
The rest of the team members in the team event, apart from Shalin, Li Jane and Siti Safiyah were Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi and Natasha Roslan. The sixth member of the team is Esther Cheah.
In the semi-finals against Colombia it was also a close call for Malaysia. Malaysia lost the first game 198-207 but bounced back with wins of 248-166 and 182-181 in the next two games.
Singapore too had to rally against South Korea after losing the first game 202-203 but came back strong for a 218-215, 213-209 wins in the second and third games respectively. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
