Kuala lumpur: Cheers erupted at the national bowling camp today as the combination of Ethan Damien Goh-Muhammad Aiman Syahin struck Malaysia’s first gold at the 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships here, today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the tournament held in Sunway Mega Lanes, Sunway Pyramid saw Ethan-Muhammad Aiman blazed through the lanes by smashing 2,696 pinfalls for gold in boy’s doubles. They outrolled Kuwait’s Abdulrzzaq Mohamad-Hassan Qasem who settled for silver with 2,611 pinfalls, while Eita Saotome-Fumine Suda from Japan recorded 2,594 pinfalls to grab the bronze medal.

The 19-year-old Muhammad Aiman said they were relieved to recover from a slow start and found their rhythm in the middle of the game en route to come out tops today. “Alhamdulillah, we were able to contribute the first gold medal for Malaysia. We dedicate this victory to the coaches, teammates and our families,” he told reporters after the medal presentation ceremony.

Ethan, 15, said the victory would definitely inspire him to win the second gold in the team of four event which kicks off tomorrow until Monday. In the meantime, another Malaysian pair, Wan Muhammad Zarif Ikram-Muhammad Danial Abu Samah, finished in 23rd place with 2,265 pinfalls.

Meanwhile, Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee-Adania Mohd Redzwan narrowly missed out on a podium finish, placing fourth in girl’s doubles with 2,431 pinfalls, while national up-and-coming kegler Qurratu’Ain Izdihar Mohd Pozi and partner Nurul Anis Nabila Mohd Nizam came in eighth place with 2,249 pinfalls. Singapore’s Lim Shi En-Nur Irdina Hazly bagged gold with 2,637 pinfalls, while South Korea’s Paek Ye Dam-Jo Yoon Seo won silver with 2,473 pinfalls, and bronze belongs to Kiri Watanabe-Mao Kondoh of Japan with 2,456 pinfalls.

The tournament concludes on Aug 27.