KUCHING: Azuan Amir Hassan's decision to switch from athletics to tenpin bowling about 11 years ago has been a blessing in disguise as he continues to achieve success in his newfound sport.
His choice once again proved to be right when the Sabahan scored a golden hat-trick in the TPB1 individual event (visual impairment) at the Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) 2024 here, today.
Recounting his start in the sport, Azuan who works as a massage therapist said he switched from athletics to bowling after suffering a leg injury.
"After injuring my leg I switched to bowling in 2013. From there I started participating in several tournaments and competitions. So far the choice (changing athletics to tenpin) has been right.
"In athletics I have won gold medals several times but for bowling I have won gold many, many times," he told Bernama.
Azuan, who has been visually impaired since he was 13, said bowling has changed his life.
"Bowling has changed my life a lot both in terms of my financial ability as well as in terms of discipline in life. Discipline is very important in bowling, including emotional control," he said.
Azuan recorded 768 pinfalls to win gold in the event while Penang's Mohd Suhairi Abd Kadir took the silver (672 pinfalls). Fazlina Mhd Pauzi from Selangor won the bronze medal with (619 pinfalls).
Today's victory saw Azuan continue his dominance after previously winning gold in the event during the 2018 and 2022 editions.– BERNAMA