From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
GLASGOW, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- World number one Emma Firyana Saroji will return home empty-handed after losing 2-0 to Norfolk Island’s Shae Wilson in the women’s singles lawn bowls bronze medal match at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games here today.
“Actually, I only played quite well towards the end of the game, my deliveries were inconsistent. I also failed to add points when I had the opportunity. I don’t know, nothing seemed to work.
“I wasn’t thinking about how others have won a medal or that I have yet to get one. I was only thinking about winning a medal for myself,” she told Bernama after the third-placing match at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
Despite the disappointment, the 39-year-old remains steadfast about continuing her fight to bring glory for the country.
“Some had asked me if I’m thinking of retiring, but I feel that there is still a lot of fight left in me, insya-Allah,” she said.
For the record, Emma Firyana won the women’s pairs gold medal at the 2018 Gold Coast edition and also clinched silver in the women’s fours at the 2014 Glasgow edition.
Meanwhile, the national lawn bowls squad surpassed its target of two medals by capturing two more bronze medals on the final day of the Games today.
Amirul Danial Abdul Rahim-Mohammad Soufi Rusli defeated Canada’s John Bezear-Ryan Bester in the men’s pair’s event while para lawn bowlers Norazian Daud-Jariah Zakaria beat Mary Wilson-Pauline Wilson of Scotland in the women’s pairs B6-B8 category.
Norazian-Jariah’s success ended the national para lawn bowls squad’s 24-year wait for a Commonwealth Games medal, since it last won bronze at the 2002 Manchester edition.
“We are deeply touched and proud to have contributed a medal to Malaysia. We have only been paired together for about two years, so this will be a valuable experience for us as we continue our journey,” said Jariah.
Malaysia had earlier wrapped up two silver medals through Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in men’s singles and Aleena Ahmad Nawawi-Syafiqa Haidar Afif Abdul Rahman in women’s pairs.
Izzat Shameer also made history when he became the first Malaysian to win a medal in the men's singles event at the Games.
Overall, the national lawn bowls squad ended their campaign with two silver and two bronze medals to surpass their one silver and one bronze achievement at the Birmingham 2022 edition.
-- BERNAMA