National lawn bowler Abd Rahman Hj Omar during his 11th Asian Lawn Bowls Championships men’s singles match against Japan’s Seishi Yoda at the Lawn Bowls Arena of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex yesterday. Picture: BT/Fazizul Haqimie
SENIOR national lawn bowler Abd Rahman Hj Omar secured his third win in the men’s singles event at the 11th Asian Lawn Bowls Championships yesterday.
His commanding 21-7 win against Japan’s Seishi Yoda comes a day after winning both his opening matches against Singapore’s Terrence Lee (19-18) and China’s Zhang Bo Wen (21-2). The veteran, who won the sultanate’s only medal in the 2014 edition of the tournament in Shenzhen, China, said he isn’t feeling any pressure and is looking forward to today’s match against Thailand’s Chaithai Kanchanakaphan at 10:15am.
“I’ve had some good games by beating Singapore, China and Japan - but I cannot be over-confident,” Abd Rahman told The Brunei Times in a post-match interview yesterday. “My match against Thailand tomorrow (today) will determine whether I will go to straight to the semi-finals or the play-offs, which is why it’s important to focus on winning the game,” he added at the Lawn Bowls Arena of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.
Competing alongside Ampuan Ahad Ampuan Hj Kassim and Pg Hj Tengah Pg Hj Tajuddin in the men’s triples, Abd Rahman was outmatched 16-3 by Malaysia on Tuesday – a defeat he blamed on a lack of focus at the time. “We were up against powerhouses Malaysia in the triples event,” Abd Rahman said.
“They are a tough team, but ultimately what set us back was our lack of focus,” added the experienced national lawn bowler. The team of Pg Hj Md Salleh Chuchu, Mohd Huzaimi Mohd Salleh, Mohd Israt Amiruddin Hj Abd Ghani and Mohd Ali Hj Bujang beat Malaysia in their opening match on Thursday before they fell to China 14-10.
However, the team bounced back in the men’s fours event after winning 19-8 against Singapore yesterday. “We learned from our loss to Malaysia and when the team beat them in the fours event yesterday (Thursday) - that was a statement that it was anyone’s game at this point,” Abd Rahman said.
“They lost to China and then they bounced back by winning against Singapore, and they have a strong chance to reach the semis too. “For now, we cannot look back too much at what has happened and we must focus on what’s to come,” he concluded. Meanwhile, the nation’s women’s team suffered losses in both their matches yesterday.
The duo of Dk Nurul Nabilah Pg Hj Mohd Salleh and Esmawandy Ibrahim lost 15-13 to Malaysia in the women’s pairs event while the trio of Hjh Amalia Hj Matali, Suhana Hj Md Daud and Hjh Ajijah Muntol lost 26-7 to Thailand in the triples event. Today’s women’s pairs and triples event will start 8am while the men’s fours event will both start at 10:15am.
The 9th Asian Under-25 Singles Lawn Bowls Championships finals will also start at 8am today.
