National women’s lawn bowler Emma Firyana Saroji achieved a historic milestone today after winning the singles title at the 2025 World Cup Lawn Bowls Championship.
In the gold medal match held at the National Lawn Bowls Centre at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara, the world’s 12th-ranked player was engaged in a tooth-and-nail fight with England’s Kathrine Rednall, with the first set tied at 5-5, thus dragging the match to the deciding set.
In the deciding set, Rednall, who is ranked 43rd in the world, briefly led 3-2 before the Selangor-born bowler charged back to claim a 6-5 victory at the end of the round.
The triumph also fulfilled Emma’s desire for revenge as she lost to the same opponent in the group stage.
“I am very happy and excited to be able to fulfil my mission to win a gold medal for the country.
“This victory is very meaningful. This is the third time this year that I have represented the country after being dropped from the squad (during Covid-19),” she told reporters after the match.
The Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is also the royal patron of the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation, attended the final match.
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, Izzat Shameer Dzukeple, who only finished fourth in the group stage, had to be content with sharing the bronze medal with Australian Corey Wedlock.
Another bronze medal for the country was contributed by Jariah Zakaria in the women’s singles, sharing it with Scottish player Pauline Wilson.
