A star is born: 15-year-old Ethan on fire at Sunway PJ
Ethan poses with (from left to right) his father Justin Goh, mother Eunice Lim, Abas vice president Robert Lu and Si.
KUCHING (April 21): Sarawak keglers ended their campaign at the Malaysian International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships with a bang as they captured two gold along with four silver and two bronze medals at Sunway Megalanes, Petaling Jaya on Sunday.
National youth bowler Ethan Damien Goh Chen Ming was the toast of the team as he completed a double by winning the Boys' Open and Men's Open categories.
It was the biggest breakthrough for Ethan in several respects. He became the youngest bowler in history to win the Men's title at the age of 15. He was also the first Sarawakian to win the Men's Open.
Ethan also defended his Boys' Open title won in 2024 and helped Sarawak complete a hat-trick of Open wins after Lavinia Kho Jia Jie won the Women's Open in 2023 and Gillian Lim Siew Giok won the Women's Open in 2024.
Meanwhile, the silver medals were contributed by Eldred Kho Yek Zhen (Boys Graded Singles), Asya Dania Azree (Girls Graded Singles, Women's Graded Singles) and Nur Hazirah Ramli (Women's Open Singles).
The bronze medalists were Abang Afiq Yazid Abang Azman (Men's Graded) and Anathacia Gadding John Lon (Girls Open).
Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas) president Sunny Si Poh Heng was impressed with Ethan's performance and said his success bore a testament to Abas' emphasis on youth development.
'For our young bowlers, of paramount importance is family support. Ethan's parents epitomises that aspect, and the result speaks for itself.
'When I say 'family support', I also include close rapport with Abas.
'We work as a team … the bowlers, their families and of course with Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Sarawak Sports Corporation, Sarawak State Sports Council and Abas,' he told The Borneo Post.
Sarawak head coach Angelo Koay was also full of praises for the state bowlers especially Ethan.
'Competing in Sukma XXI Sarawak has helped him mature a lot in bowling. Improving weaknesses and solidifying strength in areas of his game has seen a vast elevation in his overall performance.
'He is looking more resolute now with a stronger tolerance of pressure and stress which comes with competing at the elite level,' he said.
'Bowling has evolved much and competitive level has risen tremendously. The Open division now is not reserved for the national elites and pros anymore. Anybody can win it with hard work, unwavering determination and stubborn perseverance to succeed powered with proper training, guidance and equipment.
'It's is a very good sign for Malaysian bowling and the sport overall. Opportunity is there now for all the young aspiring athletes. That's is what Ethan's triumph represents, not only you must dare to dream it, you have to work your socks off for it,' the coach added. bowling Ethan Damien Goh Chen Ming gold medal lead sports
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Kenyans dominate jungle race
Winners and participants at the close of the 2025 Kemuyang Nature Challenge. TWO Kenyan athletes claimed top honours at the 2025 Kemuyang Nature Challenge in Sibu, Sarawak where 300 runners participated. Samson Kamal, 29, dominated the 9km Men's Open category, finishing in 47:40. His compatriot Kabui Teresial, 22, won the 9km Women's Open category, completing the race in 51:50. They each received RM2,000 in prize money for their achievements. A delighted Samson shared that the prize money was timely. 'We'll be using it to purchase our flight tickets home from Kuala Lumpur. 'A one-way ticket costs around RM2,000 each,' said Samson, who recently graduated with a degree in Business Economics from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Kabui, who pursued the same course, also graduated from UKM. (Below) Kabui (left) and Samson showing their prizes in Sibu. Reflecting on the race, Kabui described it as 'tough', adding she had to give her all. Samson said he enjoyed the event and praised the trail. 'This is our first time winning a jungle trekking event in Malaysia. 'We learnt about the competition from a Malaysian friend in Sandakan,' he said. Samson added that both he and Kabui are marathon runners and will undergo intensive training at home before entering their next race. Meanwhile, local runners Lim Siet Fah and Teo Lian Geok expressed disappointment over their performance, citing changes in the format. 'In the previous competition in December 2023, it was primarily jungle trekking. 'This time, it was 50% road running and 50% jungle trekking. 'My strength lies in jungle trekking, so it put me at a disadvantage,' said Lim, a vocational school teacher from Kuching. Teo echoed Lim's sentiments. Lim, the 2023 Women's Open category champion, finished third this time. Teo secured second place in the 7km Women's Veteran category. In the Men's Open category, second place went to Belfon Mosolan (RM1,500) and third to Saidi Suni (RM1,000). For the Women's Open, second place was claimed by Luk Teck Bing (RM1,500) with Lim Siet Fah in third (RM1,000). Winners of the 7km Men's Veteran category were Hardy Suntol (RM1,000), Chu Chat Shan (RM700) and Lee Kok Eng (RM500), while in the 7km Women's Veteran category, the top three were Lim Set Hiang (RM1,000), Teo Lian Geok (RM700) and Lee Leh Ha (RM500). Sarawal Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Ministry representative Zulkanain Ismail presented the prizes.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Stadium Sarawak upgrades hinge on available budget ― Minister
KUCHING (May 27): The redevelopment of Stadium Sarawak remains a key focus in Sarawak's push to become a regional sports hub, though the final scope of upgrades will depend heavily on available funding, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister said while the stadium is an essential venue for athletics and opening ceremonies of various sport events, financial considerations will ultimately determine the extent of its redevelopment. 'We will have to see. Cost is always one of the main factors ― whether we want to proceed with the development, and at what stage,' he told a press conference after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here earlier today. Abdul Karim noted that aside from Stadium Sarawak, there are 18 other sports to be hosted, each requiring facility upgrades. 'If the budget does not allow for full upgrades, we may have to determine which improvements are sufficient for the stadium to accommodate the sport events and the opening ceremony,' he said. Earlier, during his speech, Abdul Karim reaffirmed the state government's commitment to developing sports infrastructure across Sarawak in its efforts to make the state a regional sports hub. 'Led by the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), key initiatives include upgrading grassroots and elite sports facilities to improve access, talent development and quality of life. 'A highlight is the redevelopment of Stadium Sarawak, which is set to meet international standards with smart and athlete-friendly features,' he said. He added that SSC will also implement a Critical Maintenance Audit Plan to ensure long-term sustainability of sport facilities.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Minister: Sarawak committed to developing young football talent
Abdul Karim admitted that the future of Sarawak football remains uncertain, facing not only issues with players but also with sponsors. – File photo KUCHING (May 27): Sarawak will continue to implement football talent development programmes to produce quality players who can contribute to the state football team in the future, said Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. He highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the International Youth Football Championship, which kicks off today and runs until June 1 here. 'We are not running away from them (talent development), but sometimes when we develop players up to the age of 18 or 19, they disappear. 'Some states do not develop talent but instead lure them by offering high salaries, causing players to leave,' he told a press conference after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. Abdul Karim pointed out that the future of Sarawak football remains uncertain, facing not only issues with players but also with sponsors. 'I noticed there are problems not just within Sarawak football but also across the national football scene. At one point, they wanted state associations to look after it, and now they want it to be run by clubs only. 'When it's a club, it becomes more a bit more difficult for us (the Sarawak Sports Corporation and the ministry) to be involved. 'We would rather the clubs get support from the private sector, with the government supporting in moderation when necessary.' He added that if the ministry is expected to continue financing an underperforming team, it would pose a 'big problem'. 'Unless we have somebody like TMJ (Tunku Mahkota of Johor) or the Sultan of Johor residing in Sarawak who is willing to dish out everything,' he quipped.
