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New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Li Jane vows to bounce back after Triple Crown miss at USBC Queens
KUALA LUMPUR: Sin Li Jane came agonisingly close to completing a historic 'Triple Crown' on the PWBA Tour in the United States but had to settle for second place at the USBC Queens on Tuesday. Li Jane, who had already won the US Women's Open and PWBA Tour Championship last year, was aiming to complete a rare sweep of all three major titles. However, she fell short in the one-game final at the Suncoast Bowling Centre in Las Vegas, losing 211-198 to American top seed Josie Barnes. It was Li Jane's second runner-up finish at the tournament, having also finished second in 2016. Despite the near miss, it was still a proud moment for Malaysian bowling as debutant Nur Hazirah Ramli made it two Malaysians in the top three. Hazirah, the second seed, was defeated 235-211 by Li Jane in the semi-finals. Seeded fourth, Li Jane began her televised title playoff campaign with a narrow 238-236 victory over Colombia's Clara Guerrero, the fifth seed. Li Jane took home a substantial prize purse of US$30,000 (RM128,500) for her efforts, while Hazirah earned US$22,000 (RM94,200). Li Jane was not disheartened with the result. She vowed to bring this strong momentum into the next event. "I'm still proud of what I achieved this week," said Li Jane. "It wasn't to be this time, but there's always another chance. I'll build on this performance and stay focused on having another strong season like 2024." Hazirah, too, remained upbeat, knowing that there's still plenty of opportunities coming up. It's worth noting that Hazirah was playing in the US for the first time, and in her very first start, she nearly accomplished her life-long dream. "It's always been a dream since I was 11 or 12 to become a world and PWBA champion," said Hazirah. "Even though I didn't get the win this time, I'm proud of how far I've come. "It all started with a promise I made to my coach, and every day since, I've worked hard for moments like this. I'm just excited to see where the journey takes me next." The national bowlers, except Hazirah and Nur Syazwani Sahar, will turn their focus to next stop the PWBA Summer Series - the Cleveland Open, BowlTV Open and Rock 'n' Roll Open.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Hazirah shines in Vegas, could face Li Jane for Queens title
KUALA LUMPUR: Debutant Nur Hazirah Ramli is on the brink of a sensational victory at the prestigious USBC Queens as she and compatriot Sin Li Jane stormed into the top five stepladder finals of the PWBA Tour major in Las Vegas yesterday (May 19). Hazirah appeared unfazed in her maiden PWBA Tour appearance. She booked her place in the title match after toppling several Tour heavyweights - including Colombia's Clara Guerrero, American Missy Parkin and Poland's Daria Pajak - during the two-day match play stage at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino. Played over a three-game series with total pinfall determining the winner, Hazirah marched to the final from the "Winners Bracket" but narrowly missed out on securing the top seed billing after falling 603–699 to American Josie Barnes. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old is now just two wins away from capturing one of the PWBA's most coveted crowns. "The thought of reaching the final is exciting. After all the years of sweat, tears and miles travelled, it now comes down to (securing) two wins," said Hazirah. "I'm trying my best not to let the moment overwhelm me, but instead to stay present and enjoy it." She is assured of at least a third-place finish which is already a remarkable achievement for her Tour debut. Li Jane, the reigning PWBA Player of the Year, secured the third seed slot by topping a fiercely contested four-way playoff in the "Elimination Bracket" with a scorching 735 series. She outscored Bercier (685), Guerrero (679) and American Elysia Current (641) to stay in the title hunt. In the stepladder format, Guerrero will face Canada's Valerie Bercier in the opening match, with Li Jane awaiting the winner. A victory would set up an all-Malaysian final between Li Jane and Hazirah in the US$60,000 (RM257,000) competition. For Li Jane, this marks her third stepladder finals appearance at the Queens, having finished fifth in 2016 and runner-up in 2019. Li Jane will be aiming to replicate her superb 2024 season, which saw her capture four titles — including two majors, the US Women's Open and the PWBA Tour Championship — en route to being crowned Player of the Year. A USBC Queens triumph would complete her collection of PWBA majors and further cement her legacy. She has already shown signs of solid form this year, having finished sixth at the season-opening Topeka Open in Kansas just two weeks ago - narrowly missing out on a top-five stepladder spot. Several other Malaysians also made it to the top 64 match play stage, marking the strongest national presence at the USBC Queens since 2017. All competed out of their own pockets, as the PWBA Tour is not covered under the national team's annual tournament budget. Among them were reigning World Cup winner Natasha Roslan, Gillian Lim, Nur Syazwani Sahar, Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal, and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman. Natasha's run was halted by Li Jane herself, while Gillian fell to Stephanie Casey, Syazwani was stopped by Parkin, Nora lost to Rebecca Hagerman and Siti was defeated by Bercier. Esther Cheah and Alisha Iman Cheong did not advance past the preliminary 15-game roll-off.
New Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
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.
