Malaysian Bowler Wins Women's Singles Title At World Bowling Championship
The 27-year-old defeated compatriot Sin Li Jane in an all-Malaysian final in Kuwait last night, 9 October.
By May Vin Ang — 10 Oct 2023, 10:41 AM
Malaysian bowler Natasha Roslan has won the women's singles title at the 2023 International Bowling Federation's (IBF) World Championships in Kuwait
According to New Straits Times, the 27-year-old defeated compatriot Sin Li Jane in an all-Malaysian final at the Kuwait Bowling Centre last night, 9 October.
Natasha defeated Li Jane 259-194, 162-238, 185-165, making it a first and second place finish for Malaysia in the women's singles event and a glorious end to the country's 12-year title drought in the category at the IBF World Championships.
Jacqueline Sijore was the last Malaysian to accomplish the feat in the Hong Kong edition in 2011.
Sin Li Jane (left) and Natasha Roslan (right) at the 2023 IBF World Championships in Kuwait.
Image via Bowling Malaysia (Facebook)Natasha blazed her way to become the world champion by winning all five matches to top Group 2 in the round-robin stage before moving on to the semifinals
Li Jane faced stiffer challenge in Group 3, finishing tied at the top with Colombia's Clara Guerrero, but eventually securing a semifinal spot by winning 37-28 in a tiebreaker.
Both Natasha and Li Jane ensured an all-Malaysian finals after besting their respective South Korean opponents, with Natasha defeating Son Hye Rin 143-189, 227-173, 214-177, and Li Jane defeating Hong Hae Ni 202-203, 226-192, 269-220.
This is Natasha's first individual gold medal at the IBF World Championships
She is the third Malaysian woman to have won the world title after Jacqueline Sijore in 2011 and Esther Cheah in 2005.
Natasha previously secured a team gold with national bowlers Syaidatul Afifah, Siti Safiyah, Datuk Shalin Zulkifli, and Li Jane at the world meet in Las Vegas in 2017.
