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New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'This is for dad': Izz dedicates Thailand Open win to cancer survivor
KUALA LUMPUR: Bowler Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin delivered a performance to remember at the Thailand Open and made it all the more special by dedicating the win to his father, who is recovering from stage two cancer. Malaysia came close to celebrating a golden double in Bangkok, but Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman was denied in the women's final, settling for second place after an inspired run. The 21-year-old Izz showed grit and composure to clinch the men's Open crown in Bangkok on Thursday, overcoming Singapore's Mike Ong 223-183 in the sudden-death decider after losing the opening game 183-202 in the 1+1 stepladder final format. Izz, who entered the final as top seed after leading the third-round roll-off with a six-game total of 1,383, stood firm despite the pressure of seeing his advantage erased by Mike's opening win. "This victory means everything to me. I dedicate it to my dad, who was diagnosed with stage two nose cancer last September," said Izz. "He's cancer-free now and going through recovery. He told me before this trip not to bowl with pressure, just to give my best. That really fired me up to make him proud." Izz, who had won the KL Open last month, now has four senior titles to his name, having also bagged the Penang Pesta International and Singapore's Sonic Classic last year. Even more satisfying for Izz was successfully defending the Thailand Open men's title for Malaysia — an honour roll that includes his idol Rafiq Ismail, who won in 2015 and 2023, and finished runner-up in 2017 and 2022. Rafiq could only place 16th this year. "It's a proud moment for me to be in the winners' circle of a prestigious event like this, especially following in the footsteps of Rafiq, someone I've always looked up to," added Izz, who earned 350,000 Thai baht ( RM45,700) in prize money. In the stepladder finals, Mike had worked his way up from the three-way quarter-final, scoring 246 to outgun Jaris Goh of Singapore (221) and Aldric Bathan of the Philippines (189). He then produced another strong performance with 258 in the semi-finals to edge Malaysians Syazirol Shamsuddin (214) and Tony Wong of Hong Kong (212). Meanwhile, in the women's division, Siti Safiyah came close to recapturing the title she last won in 2019 but was denied by Singapore's top seed, Charmaine Chang, who prevailed 242–224 in the final. The second-seeded Malaysian had earlier stormed through the semi-final with a 231 score to beat compatriots Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal (201) and Nur Syazwani Sahar (158), resulting in Malaysia locking down three of the top four spots. Nora Lyana was bidding for her third title following her previous triumphs in 2015 and 2023.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Nizra Group launches MG Nizra Damansara 3S showroom
Nizra Group has taken a significant step forward in redefining Malaysia's mobility landscape with the grand opening of the MG Nizra Damansara 3S Showroom. The launch marks a pivotal milestone in the Group's expansion into the automotive sector, showcasing its strong commitment to electric mobility, lifestyle integration, and customer-centric experiences. Held at The Nizra Building, the event was attended by key figures including Nik Iruwan Dato' Nik Izani, Group CEO of Nizra Group Berhad; Mr. Lee Wen Hsiang, COO of SAIC Malaysia; Mr. Liu Dong, Sales & Marketing Director of SAIC Malaysia; and Encik Hurais bin Dato' Hanafiah, Director of Nizra Mobility. A Comprehensive 3S Facility The new showroom offers a full Sales, Service, and Spare Parts (3S) experience, complete with state-of-the-art service bays, dedicated consultation areas, and a customer-centric lounge designed for comfort and convenience. Demonstrating its alignment with the electric future, the facility is also equipped with DC fast-charging infrastructure, ensuring MG EV owners and prospects have access to rapid and reliable charging on-site. A Strategic Alliance with MG The opening of MG Nizra Damansara strengthens the collaboration between Nizra Group and SAIC Motor, one of the world's largest automotive players. Together, they aim to solidify MG's presence in Malaysia, bringing the brand's design-forward, innovative, and electric-focused identity to local customers. 'MG is uniquely positioned to challenge established giants and lead the evolution of smart, sustainable mobility,' said Nik Iruwan. 'Our belief in MG is built not on hope, but on conviction. Together, we are ready to drive the future.' Building a Vibrant Mobility Ecosystem Beyond automotive retail, Nizra Group is also focused on building a holistic mobility and lifestyle ecosystem through Nizra Mobility. It has forged strategic partnerships with a diverse array of organizations including: » Flux – Malaysia's premier car subscription platform EV Power – Leading EV charging solutions provider » Motorsport Association of Malaysia (MAM) – National motorsports body » Courtsite – A popular sports facility platform » Pickleball KL Open – Malaysia's largest pickleball tournament » Bon Zainal – Malaysia's premier bespoke tailoring brand These partnerships go beyond commerce, aiming to foster community impact and lifestyle transformation. Initiatives such as Road Safety and Driving Experience programs with MAM and grassroots pickleball tournaments exemplify Nizra's commitment to community engagement through innovation and connectivity. A Vision for the Future The MG Nizra Damansara 3S Showroom is more than a retail outlet—it is a manifestation of Nizra Group's forward-looking vision. By blending cutting-edge automotive technology, electrified mobility, and lifestyle integration, the Group is charting a new course in Malaysia's mobility evolution—one that is smart, sustainable, and deeply community-focused. As Nizra Group continues to grow its footprint, the Damansara showroom stands as a flagship representation of its unwavering commitment to elevating the mobility experience for all Malaysians.
