KUALA LUMPUR – National bowler Muhammad Hafiz Zainuddin clinched his first international title of 2025, emerging victorious in the open division of the 11th Dubai International Bowling Tournament at the Dubai International Bowling Centre, Al Mamzar, UAE, yesterday.
The 25-year-old delivered a stellar performance, topping the standings after eight games with a total of 1,744 points, the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) said in a statement.
It was a tight finish, with Hafiz edging out Bahrain’s Ahmed Al Mahri by just 13 points (1,731), while home favourite Hassan Al Zaabi settled for third with 1,729. Fellow Malaysian Muhammad Syazirol Shamsudin also put up a strong fight, finishing fifth with 1,722 points.
“Both of them competed at their own expense, and only two Malaysians took part in the championship in Dubai. Meanwhile, Rafiq Ismail, Ahmad Muaz and Tun Hakim are back home, gearing up to join Timmy Tan at the PBA World Series of Bowling,” the statement read.
The trio will depart for the US on February 27, spending a month competing in the World Series of Bowling in Reno. Another national youth athlete, Airel Amri Suhaimi, will also be in the mix at the WSOB. — February 24, 2025