KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian women’s team are on course for a golden outing at the World Championships after marching into the semi-finals in Hong Kong today.
Sin Li Jane, Gillian Lim, Natasha Roslan, Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal, Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman were in cruise control in the second round of the women’s team event at the Kaitak Sports Park in Kowloon.
The Malaysians rolled 207, 218, 246, 184, 191, 204 and 247 for a 1497 total. They topped the round with 15 points after winning Games 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, where only match points, not pinfall, determined progression.
Singapore finished second with 12 points and 1524 pinfalls. The United States also advanced with 12 points and 1504 pinfalls.
South Korea completed the semi-final round after collecting 12 points with a 1442 total.
Malaysia’s surge came after they ranked fifth in qualifying with 1384 pinfalls to make the top-eight cut.
The team will now turn their focus to Friday’s semi-finals as they continue their push for the world title at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai.
Earlier, the Malaysian men’s team of Rafiq Ismail, Syazirol Shamsudin, Hafiz Zainuddin, Hazim Alihanafiah, Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin and Danial Abu Samah missed the cut for Round 2 after ranking 23rd out of 28 teams with 1371 pinfalls.
The nation had earlier celebrated Adelia’s silver in women’s singles and Rafiq-Syazirol bronze in men’s doubles.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
