Monday March 4, 2013
Dayang edges Siti to win Masters crown
By KNG ZHENG GUAN
End of gold drought: Dayang Khairuniza defeated Siti Shazwani (inset) 199-188 to win the women’s Masters crown. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia finally struck gold in the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships after Dayang Khairuniza edged compatriot Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi to win the women’s Masters in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday.
Dayang, who qualified for the step-ladder finals as the second seed, was in imperious form. She first defeated Malta’s Joanna Attard 181-140 before going on to beat Siti 199-188 in the final.
It was an incredibly sweet victory for Dayang who was always outperformed by Siti in the tournament.
The 22-year-old Dayang, who was the overnight leader, had a poor eighth game as she lost to England’s Lisa John 132-214 to finish second in the standings with a 2,716 total, one pin behind Siti.
Dayang, however, redeemed herself as she found her rhythm to sweep past Attard before striking gold with an 11-pin win over Siti. It was Siti’s fourth silver, adding to the ones she won from the singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Kuching-born Dayang was delighted with her first international title.
“It feels really good to finally deliver the first gold for Malaysia although today is the last day of the tournament,” said Dayang.
“I knew it was never going to be easy against Siti. She is a real fighter. But I was totally focused on my mission.
“This is definitely my best-ever result at senior level after coming second at the Japan International Open last year. I have to thank coach Holloway (Cheah) for his advice,” added Dayang.
In the men’s event, Malaysia’s Isaac Russell Paul, who was third overnight, failed to make the three-man step-ladder finals after finishing fourth with a 2,710 total.
Teenager Mohd Rafiq Ismail, the other Malaysian representative, ended his campaign in seventh spot. He knocked down 2,597 pins.
Australia’s Sam Cooley took his second gold of the tournament, beating Singapore’s Javier Tan 249-181 in the final.
Malaysia ended the tournament with a haul of one gold, four silvers and two bronzes.
Masters results
Men’s standings (after 12 games): 1. Sam Cooley (Aus) 2852, 2. Christopher Oates (Eng) 2764, 3. Javier Tan (Sin) 2726; Selected Malaysians: 4. Isaac Russell Paul 2710, 7. Mohd Rafiq Ismail 2,597.
Step-ladder finals
Game 1: Javier Tan bt Christopher Oates 177-169.
Final: Sam Cooley bt Javier Tan 249-181.
Women’s standings (after 12 games): 1. Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi (Mas) 2717, 2. Dayang Khairuniza (Mas) 2716, 3. Joanna Attard (Mlt) 2566.
Stepladder finals
Game 1: Dayang Khairuniza bt Joanna Attard 181-140.
Final: Dayang Khairuniza bt Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi 199-188.
- Chong Wei continues to stay focused despite all the changes
- Khairy to look into matters after review
- Denmark’s Hoyer is new president of the BWF
- Shaky start for favourites China
- Pandelela-Mun Yee bag silver in Guadalajara
- Dragons aim to get back to winning ways against Heat
- Pedrosa wins in France, takes MotoGP lead
- The missing link
- Indonesian coach: Individual sponsorship will revive our shuttlers’ fortunes
- Kevin smashes 400m freestyle national record to take gold
- Williams sweeps Azarenka aside in Rome
- Six uncapped players get Ireland opportunity
- Thongchai faces McDowell in Match-Play climax
- Shaky start for favourites China
- Pedrosa wins in France, takes MotoGP lead
- Deans happy to take a punt on O'Connor at flyhalf
- Golf: Griffin wins fog-bound SK Telecom Open
- Swimming: Phelps throws cold water on comeback report
- Golf: Choi edges sizzling Nordqvist for LPGA lead
- Nadal to meet Federer in Rome final, Serena rolls on
RSS
