KUCHING: National youth bowler Nur Hazirah Ramli's aspirations to match fellow Sarawakian Nerosha Keligit's remarkable six-gold-medal achievement in a Sukma bowling competition eight years ago have been dashed.
After clinching gold in her first four events, Nur Hazirah secured bronze in the women's team event at Sarawak Megalanes in Batu Kawa on Monday. Alongside teammates Lavinia Kho, Claudia Kumang Jakson, Dayang Yumi Azreen Abang Azman, and Asya Dania Azree, the hosts fell short in their bid to defend their title, finishing third with a combined total of 5,462 pinfalls.
Selangor's Adania Redzwan, Intan Nor Edryana Nor Azliman, Adelia Irwan Syazalee, Afiqah Kamalia Ali, and Nur Irdina Batrisyia Mat Aris, claimed gold with 5,598 pinfalls.
Sabah's Nur Jeehan Iezzaty Suffian, Intan Qistina Tamring, Nur Aleeya Syakirah Awang Ali, Nurul Amirah Amirul, and Cara Loh secured silver with 5,552 pinfalls.
Having triumphed in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and trios, all eyes were on Hazirah to see if she could maintain her momentum for a clean sweep of all six gold medals.
This feat had only been accomplished once before by former national bowler Nerosha, who achieved it before her home crowd when Sarawak last hosted the Games in 2016.
Despite the setback, Hazirah can take solace in the additional RM3,000 reward for her bronze medal, bringing her total earnings to an impressive RM63,000.
The host state had announced rewards of RM15,000, RM5,000, and RM3,000 for gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively.
Hazirah still has the opportunity to conclude her campaign with RM78,000, provided she secures victory in her final event, the women's Masters, which marks the culmination of the bowling competition.
In the men's team event, Penang emerged victorious, with national youth stars Hariz Adlan Azman and Megat Zaqrul Haiqal Megat Zarudin leading their team to a dramatic win over Johor.
The Penang squad, also featuring Mohammad Zuhari, Hafiz Darwisy, and Adam Darwish, amassed a total of 5,915 pinfalls, edging out Johor by a mere eight pins.
Sarawak completed the podium with 5,828 pinfalls.
Coach Adrian Charles Dragon said: "We arrived with a clear objective: to clinch the team gold medal, and we succeeded. Despite the pressure of being favourites, we rose to the challenge."