KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian women's squad are firmly in contention for gold, while their male counterparts face an uphill battle after the team event's opening blocks at the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships (ATBC) on Sunday.
Sin Li Jane, Natasha Roslan, Gillian Lim, Nur Syazwani Sahar and Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal combined for a 15-game total of 2,972, placing them third behind Singapore (3,024) and South Korea (2,993). Trailing Singapore by only 52 pins, Li Jane and her teammates have a strong chance to end the country's title drought dating back to 2002 in Bangkok.
However, the men's side, comprising Rafiq Ismail, Hafiz Zainuddin, Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek and Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin, face a tough challenge. They amassed 3,051 pinfalls, placing them fifth.
Heading into the deciding day, they face a 273-pin deficit to overcome. Singapore's quintet, led by Darren Ong, fired a 3,324 total to seize the top spot. China follow in second with 3,113, while Hong Kong registered 3,081 for third.
Rafiq and his teammates will need to stage a remarkable comeback to defend the title won in Hong Kong last year, which ended a 15-year drought.
Malaysia have dominated the competition thus far, securing four golds — Rafiq in men's singles, Hakim-Shaqeem in men's doubles, Li Jane-Natasha in women's doubles, and Rafiq, Hafiz, and Syafiq in men's trios.
Rafiq and Li Jane could potentially deliver two more golds in the men's and women's All-Events should they maintain their lead at the conclusion of the team events.