Blazing the lanes: Sin Li Jane is eyeing a spot in the World Cup squad next year.
PETALING JAYA: It has been a magical year for national bowler Sin Li Jane, but she’s not done yet.
The 32-year-old has achieved what no one else has done in the Asian region this year by winning four professional titles in the United States. She continued her fiery form by rolling down two gold medals at the Asian Championships in Bangkok, and earned about half a million in total in doing so.
It’s rare for a bowler to win close to even RM100,000 a year but Li Jane has changed the perspective and landscape of Malaysian bowling.
Now that her job is almost done this year, Li Jane is eyeing another biggie in the Professional Women Bowling Association (PWBA).“I’ve won two majors in United States, and I want to get my hand on the other one – the USBC Queens. That will complete the collection of major titles in the US,” said Li Jane.
“I’ve won every medal in all major tournaments so far in my career, including the world championships.”
The two majors she won this year was the US Open and Tour Championship. She also pocketed two other Open pro titles – the Greater Nashville Classic and Journal Rockford Open and eventually was named PWBA Player of the Year.
No Asian has received such an accolade in the US territory.
It was her fifth pro title, having also captured the Lincoln Open in Nebraska in 2017.
Li Jane started bowling when she was in primary school and has been one of the most consistent bowlers in the national team over the years and fortunately, yet to suffer burnout.
“The trick is to avoid putting pressure on myself. Yes, there will be negative thoughts sometimes, but I’ll quickly brush it off. I’ve learnt to enjoy every game, every tournament,” she said.
Li Jane posing with her mum Ho Chee Ling and brother Sin Ken Mun who were in the US during the last tournament in August.
Has she recovered from her fantastic 2004?
“This year has been the best time of my life. I still can’t believe with what I’ve done in the US. I have never even dreamed of bowling or even winning a PWBA title,” said Li Jane.
“It has been a great run but I’m still the same person though. I may have more rivals now taking notice of me... that’s only normal. Some will like you, some will not.”
Li Jane’s assignment with the national team is as good as over but she may go for the Emir Cup in December on her own. She also has the World Cup in January.
“I’ve not decided on the Emir Cup, it depends on my condition, whether I can push myself to do one more. If not, my first meet for next year will be the World Cup. Only four men and four women will be selected,” she said.
“I still have to fight to earn a spot to represent the country for international tournaments. I don’t get special treatment and this is how it should be,” she added. Li Jane may be one of the seniors in the team but she is certainly here to stay. And one of her goals is to see bowling making the Olympic Games programme one day, just like squash.
