Syafiq
Ridhwan, a national bowler and an avid Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) student
made Malaysia proud when he won the title of World Champion in AMF World Cup in
December last year. He is the first Malaysian to ever claim the title since its
first organization in 1965. Shafiq Ridhwan is in Germany at the moment for
another international tournament, Brunswick Euro Challenge from 20-24th
March 2013 but I managed to interview him a day before his flight to
Germany. Now let us take a look at our National Hero’s profile before reading
about Syafiq and his striking stories in bowling.
Syafiq Ridhwan’s Profile
Full name: Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul
Malek
Birth date: 29th November 1986
Origin: Kuala Lumpur
School: Sek. Ren Keb. St. John (1) and Sek. Men St. John, Kuala
Lumpur
Course in UPM:
Bachelor of Science (Human Resource Development)
Faculty: Faculty of
Educational Studies
Hobby: Cycling
Sport Idol: Tiger Woods
Best Achievement: World
Champion of AMF World Cup in Poland, December 2012.
Syafiq
is currently in his final semester and juggles both commitments as a student
and a national athlete for almost six years. His initial target was to graduate
in four years time but he had to defer his studies to prepare for SEA Games and
Asian Games. Syafiq attends classes in the morning, practices bowling in the
afternoon, goes to the gym in the evening and spends time with his wife, a UPM
sweetheart at night, religiously every day.
“It
is easy for an athlete like me in UPM because the lecturers are very
considerate and they understand our situation very well. Each time my test or
final examination clashes with my training schedule, I could always take the test
at my own time and comfort”, said Syafiq who wishes to further his education in
Master of Sports Management in UPM in the near future.
Syafiq
figured out his potential in bowling right after joining a Sports Development
Program by Majlis Sukan Negeri Selangor in Sunway Pyramid when he was in Form
3. On his first day there, the coach was not fond of him joining as he has no
basics in the sports at all but right after the program ended in six months, he
managed to improve his skills and stayed in the team. Syafiq mentions that
there are seven levels in professional bowling; Single A, Double A, Triple A,
National Youth, National Back Up and National Elite. He played in the Single A
in Form 3 and took only one year to move from one stage to another, unlike some
other bowlers.
His
first international game was in Singapore, eight years ago and he managed to get
to the final round. Since then he has won in several other tournaments such as
silver medal in 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and one gold, one
silver and two bronze medals in 2011 SEA Games, Jakarta. When asked about his
preparation for the tournament in Germany, he said that he goes for two hours
of training everyday and cycle three times in a week to maintain his fitness
level. Syafiq also sets that he should at least reach the step-ladder final in
Germany and at least two medals for World Championship in Las Vegas if it is
not gold.
Syafiq
describes his winning in Poland last year as memorable because he had lost his
luggage and bowling equipments at the airport. During the official practice
there, he actually wore rented bowling shoes and balls but he managed to stay
focus and think positively in order to not slip up during the game.
“Losing
my luggage and bowling equipment was really something that I never expected to
occur but I managed to pull through” said the 26 years old bowler. He added
that his biggest supporters so far are his mother Puan Noraini Ismail and wife Noor
Shafira Bt. Noor Rashid.
He
also describes that bowling has changed him thoroughly and made him whoever he
is right now as bowling teaches him to make the right decision and disciplines
himself with training and tournament. Syafiq encourages parents out there to allow
their kids to join various sports development program in each state as the
training is free and there are coaches provided as well.
Shafiq
Ridhwan; a tall but down to earth sports figure totally deserves the title of
World Champion due to his persistence in bowling. He has the push that lets
Malaysia tastes victory for the first time as a World Champion in the AMF World
Cup, and Syafiq is definitely on top of the world. It is his love and passion
that makes him bowl around the world, and we in UPM wish him for the best in
studies and sports. Best of luck to Syafiq Ridhwan for Brunswick Euro Challenge
in Germany and also World Championship in Last Vegas, August this year.
