KUALA LUMPUR: With bowling absent from the recent Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Malaysia’s Rafiq Ismail and Sin Li Jane believe the Asian Championships in Doha offer the ultimate platform to establish who reigns supreme on the continent.
The 28th edition gets under way with the singles events on Saturday, with Malaysia looking to reaffirm their status as Asia’s leading bowling nation after dominating the previous championships in Bangkok two years ago.
Rafiq, who spearheaded Malaysia’s record-breaking campaign with four gold medals in 2024, believes the competition provides the clearest indication of where the national team stand against their continental rivals.
“This is where all the Asian bowlers come together to compete,” said Rafiq.
“The Asian Championships are very important because this is where we can gauge our overall performance.”
The 28-year-old will also have a personal title to defend, having captured the men’s singles gold in Bangkok as Malaysia completed a remarkable podium sweep through Hafiz Zainuddin’s silver and Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek’s bronze.
Rafiq went on to add the trios, all-events and Masters titles to his collection, emerging as the championship’s most successful bowler.
While acknowledging the weight of expectations, he is determined not to let the pressure affect his performance.
“Of course there’s pressure, but I’ll try to turn it into something positive,” he said.
Li Jane, who contributed three gold medals in Bangkok, shares Rafiq’s view on the significance of the continental showpiece.
“Yes, the Asian Championships will be the ultimate platform for us to compete. We are going to give our best in every championship,” she said.
The experienced campaigner also has fond memories of the singles event, having won the Asian title in Hong Kong in 2012.
Although she will be hoping to add to her impressive medal collection, Li Jane is keeping her expectations in check.
“I’ve done all the preparation that I have to. I will do my very best in each event.
“Of course I hope that good results will come. Most importantly, I want to enjoy my game here.”
Li Jane is equally optimistic about the women’s squad, which feature five members from the triumphant Bangkok campaign alongside newcomer Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee.
“With Adelia coming in, I believe we are going to be one of the strongest contenders in this Asian Championships,” she said.
Malaysia topped the medal standings in Bangkok with an unprecedented eight gold, five silver and four bronze medals.
Joining Rafiq in the men’s squad are Syafiq, Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, Timmy Tan, Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin and Muhammad Hazim Alihanafiah.
The women’s challenge, meanwhile, will be spearheaded by Li Jane alongside Nora Lyana Nastasia, Gillian Lim, Faten Najihah Ahmad Faik, Nur Syazwani Sahar and Adelia.
Malaysia will face competition from 17 other federations in Doha, with traditional powerhouses South Korea and Singapore among their main challengers.
The championships, which conclude on Nov 22, will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2027 IBF World Championships in South Korea.