KUALA LUMPUR: Bowler Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan (pic) is working with American ball specialist Rick Benoit to get the right ball to help carry Malaysia’s challenge to win the Guangzhou Asiad team gold medal.
Benoit was hired by the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Association (MTBC) to enhance the players’ understanding of ball reaction to the different lane conditions.
The 24-year-old Syafiq, who will be making his Asiad debut, said that he had been working with Benoit for almost a month now but has yet to find the right ball.
“I hope to get it in another couple of days as I need to practise with the new ball and adapt to it quickly.
“Besides training, I also attend motivation classes to improve on my mental strength for the Asian Games,” he said.
Syafiq, a two-time winner of the PBAP-Bevida Storm International Classic in Manila, was drafted into the national elite squad for his effort in winning the men’s Masters title in the national championships last year.
But he was dethroned by Aaron Kong in the final this year.
He made his debut in the world championships in Munich in August but failed to win a medal.
Syafiq added that not having won a title this year would not dampen his spirit in the Asian Games.
“I hope to bowl well to help Malaysia win the team title,” he said.
Besides Syafiq, the other members of the men’s squad for the Asiad are Adrian Ang, Aaron Kong and Nur Aiman Khairuddin, Zulmazran Zulkifli and Alex Liew.
At the last Games in Doha, Malaysia won three of the eight gold medals at stake in bowling.
Benoit was hired by the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Association (MTBC) to enhance the players’ understanding of ball reaction to the different lane conditions.
“I hope to get it in another couple of days as I need to practise with the new ball and adapt to it quickly.
“Besides training, I also attend motivation classes to improve on my mental strength for the Asian Games,” he said.
Syafiq, a two-time winner of the PBAP-Bevida Storm International Classic in Manila, was drafted into the national elite squad for his effort in winning the men’s Masters title in the national championships last year.
But he was dethroned by Aaron Kong in the final this year.
He made his debut in the world championships in Munich in August but failed to win a medal.
Syafiq added that not having won a title this year would not dampen his spirit in the Asian Games.
“I hope to bowl well to help Malaysia win the team title,” he said.
Besides Syafiq, the other members of the men’s squad for the Asiad are Adrian Ang, Aaron Kong and Nur Aiman Khairuddin, Zulmazran Zulkifli and Alex Liew.
At the last Games in Doha, Malaysia won three of the eight gold medals at stake in bowling.
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