KUCHING: Sarawak’s tenpin bowling sensation, Gillian Lim, has etched her name in history by becoming the first Malaysian to win the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Rookie of the Year Award 2025.
The 26-year-old from Miri was officially announced as this season’s best newcomer by PWBA, after securing an impressive 37,230 points, outshining Canada’s Jade Cote with 23,615 points and the United States’ Kirsten Moore with 17,645 points.
Gillian dominated the rookie rankings by leading in total points, earnings, and top-12 finishes, proving her talent and determination on the international stage. The award is presented to players making their debut season on the PWBA Tour, a professional bowling circuit in the United States.
Remarkably, Gillian is now one of only four non-American players to receive this award since the tour’s relaunch, underscoring her achievement as a significant milestone for Sarawak and Malaysia.
Her rookie season included outstanding performances in prestigious tournaments such as the PWBA Go Bowling Topeka Open, USBC Queens, PWBA Summer Series – Cleveland, PWBA Bowlers Journal Waterloo Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and the PWBA Tour Championship Week.
Gillian’s journey began at the age of eight, bowling while attending SK and SMK St. Joseph in Miri. A graduate of Sunway College, she is an active member of the Sarawak Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association (ABAS), representing Sarawak in SUKMA and Inter-State Championships.
She joined the Malaysian National Youth Team in 2018, progressed to the Podium Programme in 2020, and has remained a key figure in the Malaysian National Team.
Speaking to ABAS, Gillian said: “This is not just my victory — this is a victory for Sarawak and Malaysia. I hope my journey inspires young talents to dream big and work hard, because nothing is impossible.”
Her triumph reflects years of discipline, perseverance, and an unshakable passion for the sport, setting a new benchmark for future Malaysian bowlers.
