KUCHING: Sarawak bowler Tsen Fan Yew concluded his Sukma career in style, winning a second gold in the men's Masters and becoming RM15,000 richer today.
The 21-year-old national youth squad member held his nerve to edge out Penang's Zuhair Zailani 2-1 (208-200, 202-212, 215-192) in the one-game final at Megalanes Sarawak in Batu Kawa.
In the semi-finals, Fan Yew had eliminated Johor's Aliff Haiqal Sahrul 2-1 (196-155, 201-203, 164-149).
This victory adds to Fan Yew's previous gold in the mixed doubles with Nur Hazirah Ramli. With these achievements, Fan Yew will take home a total of RM33,000 in cash incentives, including RM3,000 for a bronze in the men's team event.
In the women's Masters, Johor's Anis Hannani Romzi claimed the crown after defeating Nur Anis Anisya Zaffli 2-0 (254-197, 215-165) in a lopsided contest.
Anis' victory was particularly significant as it was Johor's sole gold medal of the campaign.
Anis had previously reached the final by overcoming Selangor's Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee 2-0 (204-155, 176-156).
Sarawak's Nur Hazirah narrowly missed her fifth gold medal when her run was halted in the semi-finals by Kedah's Nur Anis, losing 2-0 (186-180, 198-157).
Hazirah subsequently lost the bronze playoff to Adelia 2-0 (204-164, 219-150), missing out on an additional RM3,000.
Despite this setback, Hazirah has already accumulated RM63,000 in prize money, having won four golds (women's singles, women's doubles, women's trios, and mixed doubles) and a bronze (team event).
Sarawak's incentive scheme for this Sukma offers RM15,000, RM5,000, and RM3,000 for gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.
In the men's bronze medal match, Terengganu's Wan Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan took third place by defeating Aliff 2-0 (200-182, 219-187). Wan Zarif had earlier lost to Zuhair in the semi-finals, 2-0 (183-142, 178-140).
Powered by Nur Hazirah's outstanding performance, Sarawak emerged as the overall champions with a medal tally of 5-1-2. Selangor (1-3-1) and Penang (1-2-2) followed in second and third places respectively.
Of the 11 gold medals at stake, Johor, Perak, Terengganu and Negri Sembilan each took one.