KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian bowling soared to unprecedented heights in 2024, crowned by a historic Asian Championships triumph that perfectly marked the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress' (MTBC) golden jubilee.
In September, the national team shattered records, clinching an extraordinary haul of eight gold, five silver and four bronze medals at the Asian Championships.
The feat eclipsed Taiwan's 8-2-3 tally set in 2004 and sealed Malaysia's second overall title, following their 2019 breakthrough in Kuwait.
Spearheading the campaign were Rafiq Ismail and Sin Li Jane.
Rafiq captured four golds — men's singles, trios (with Hafiz Zainuddin and Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek), all-events and masters.
Li Jane matched his achievement with three titles — women's doubles (with Natasha Roslan), all-events, and masters.
Their remarkable performances propelled both to the top of the Asian rankings in December.
The triumph also validated the team's bold selection policy of blending youth with experience. Rising stars Izz Naqiuddin and Shaqeem Izwan Teh earned their spots over established names like Timmy Tan and Ahmad Muaz Fishol.
The gamble paid off when debutant Shaqeem partnered Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam to claim men's doubles gold.
Sin Li Jane's meteoric rise continued on the PWBA Tour between May and August.
She made history as the first Malaysian and Asian to be crowned PWBA Player of the Year, securing four titles, including two majors — the US Women's Open and Tour Championship. Victories at the Bowlers Journal Rockford Open and Greater Nashville Classic brought her career PWBA title count to five, following her 2017 Lincoln Open breakthrough.
The success extended across international events.
On home soil, Hafiz Zainuddin and Gillian Lim claimed maiden Malaysia Open titles in May against a competitive field.
Rafiq reclaimed the Thailand Open crown in August — his second since 2015 — while Nur Syazwani Sahar secured third in the women's category.
More podium finishes followed through Rafiq and Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal (third at the Singapore Open), Nora (third at the Hong Kong Open) and Tun Hakim (third at the Emir Cup, Qatar).
In February, Hafiz and Ahmad Muaz claimed silver and bronze respectively at the DIBC-Delta Open in Dubai.
The future of Malaysian bowling looks bright, with emerging talents making a mark.
At the Asian Junior Championships in June, the Under-18 squad clinched three golds, two silvers and three bronzes to finish as overall runners-up.
Wan Zarif Ikram (boys' Masters), the girls' team (Intan Nor Edryana, Nur Ainul Hayat, Adelia Nur Irwan and Afiqah Kamilia) and Afiqah (All-Events) delivered the golden haul.
In July, the Under-21 girls' team (Adelia, Hazirah Ramli, Adania Redzwan and Anis Hannani Romzi) created history at the World Youth Championships in Incheon, securing Malaysia's first-ever girls' team gold by defeating Singapore.
These feats built on the legacy of the late Datuk Dr. P. S. Nathan, who died on Sept 22 at 90. Nathan, the longest-serving president of any national sports association, established a framework that continues to thrive.
The National Sports Council has endorsed an expanded youth programme for 2025, increasing the capacity from nine boys and six girls to 10 boys and 12 girls.
Malaysia faces a packed 2025 calendar, beginning with the World Cup in Hong Kong in January.
Key events include defending the Malaysia Open in April, the World Cup (Sweden, June), the Asian Junior Championships (Qatar, July) and the Asian Youth Championships (Malaysia, August).
The year will conclude with the World Championships in Hong Kong and the Sea Games in Thailand.