Bowler Syazwani ready to take on the men again at KLIO
SUBANG JAYA: National bowler Nur Syazwani Sahar is determined to go one better when the Kuala Lumpur International Open (KLIO) returns to Sunway Mega Lanes from May 25-June 1.
The 26-year-old finished second overall in last year's edition and emerged as the highest-placed woman in the mixed-gender field, where female bowlers are given a seven-pin handicap.
Syazwani ended the tournament 75 pins behind eventual champion Mussayar Khalid of Sarawak, pocketing RM17,000 — RM12,000 for her overall placing and an additional RM5,000 as the top female finisher.
This year, there's even more at stake. With the tournament's prize pool increased from RM250,000 to RM317,000, the overall champion will take home RM30,000, while the top-placed woman will earn RM7,000 — meaning Syazwani stands a chance of walking away with RM37,000 if she wins outright.
But for Syazwani, personal achievement takes precedence over prize money as she looks to prove herself against her male counterparts.
"I'm not focusing too much on the big payout, but instead I want to do well more than anything else," said Syazwani, who will first head to the United States to compete in the USBC Queens.
"I always wanted to try to compete with the men. It gives me a lot of motivation, even in the training, I always want to try to be better than them.
"I've got the confidence for this year's edition as I've been working hard in training as I'm also in the midst of preparing for a PWBA Tour event. I will come back in time for the KLIO."
Mussayar will return to defend his title, but both he and Syazwani will face stiff competition, with national men's elite bowlers such as Rafiq Ismail, Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, Hafiz Zainuddin, Timmy Tan, Ahmad Muaz Fishol and Syafiq Ridhwan expected to compete.
However, the women's field will miss some top names, including Sin Li Jane and Natasha Roslan, who will be in the US for the PWBA Tour.
Still, the KLIO, returning for its second straight edition after an eight-year hiatus, promises to be a tournament to watch, with over 800 participants from 12 countries expected to compete.
A total of 29 categories will be contested, including 15 dedicated to para bowling — reaffirming KLIO's status as the only open tournament in Malaysia that provides a competitive platform for para athletes.
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