KUCHING – Sarawak’s tenpin bowlers delivered an outstanding performance at the 22nd Malaysian Deaf Games (SOPMA XXII 2025), securing multiple gold medals and reinforcing the state’s reputation as a bowling powerhouse.
The state’s campaign was bolstered by a golden strike in the women’s foursomes event at Megalanes E-Mart in Batu Kawa. The team of Nurlyanna Arnezza Suzalee, Nurul Farhanna Wahab, Aminah Abdul Rajak, and Sia Chew Ing claimed the top honour, leaving the Federal Territory squad with silver and Sabah with bronze.
In the corresponding men’s category, the Federal Territory team emerged victorious, with the host Sarawak team securing a silver medal.
Sarawak’s success continued in the individual categories, where Agan Ballang Kapong and Sia Chew Ing powered their way to victory, each winning gold in the men’s and women’s individual tenpin bowling events.
Sia further demonstrated her skill by adding another gold to her collection in the women’s All Events category. Agan also secured a bronze medal in the men’s All Events.
The prize-giving ceremony was officiated by the President of the Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf), Dr. Ong Shin Ruenn, alongside the President of the Sarawak Deaf Sports Association (SSDeaf), Ko Ming Liang.
SOPMA XXII 2025, hosted in Kuching and Samarahan from 2 to 7 October, featured five sports and brought together 610 deaf athletes from across the country.
The Sarawak contingent, comprising 47 athletes, had set an ambitious target of eight gold medals, with bowling highlighted as a key sport for the host state.