KUALA LUMPUR: National youth bowler Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin earned his career's biggest win when he emerged victorious at the Sonic International Classic, a mixed Open tournament, in Singapore on Sunday.
The 20-year-old was in imperious form as he defeated Singapore's Paiman Dali 267-213 in the stepladder final at Sonic Bowl @ SAFRA Yishun.
Paiman, who's 41 years Izz's senior, was on a seven-pin handicap by virtue of being a 60-year-old and above competitor.
It was Izz's second senior title after having captured the Penang Pesta International Open in December last year.
But certainly, nothing is going to beat this one as this marked Izz's maiden title abroad, netting him a pay cheque of SG$18,000 (RM63,224).
Izz had put himself in the driver's seat after securing top spot in the last-24 stage with a six-game total of 1,359.
Paiman came in second on 1,336 while Malaysia's Rafiq Ismail (1,332) and Colombia's Maria Rodriguez (1,331) sealed the next three slots of the stepladder playoffs.
Rafiq had to settle for fourth spot after losing 232-229 to Rodriguez in the quarter-final battle. Rodriguez's seven-pin handicap as a female participant proved to be the difference.
Rodriguez's gallant run was eventually ended by Paiman, who dominated the semi-final 264-194 to earn a title clash with Izz.
Izz was elated to have come out tops in the highly competitive 180-player contest.
"I didn't think that I could win this since this was my first time playing in an Open event overseas," said Izz.
"I thought even if I could make it to the third round (top 24) would have been satisfactory.
"The standard of this tournament is very high, even all my world-class seniors are taking part this week such as Rafiq.
"So it gives me satisfaction to be able to beat them to the title."
Missing out on the last year's Asian Youth Championships proved to be the turning point for Izz as it has motivated him to come back stronger.
Izz had bounced back in style by finishing second in the boys' Open category of the National Championships and boys' singles and all-events gold at the Inter-state Championships.
"The disappointment of not making the four-man squad to the Asian Youth Championships prompted me to work doubly hard," said Izz.
"It paid off well with me doing well in the second half of last year and now I've won my first title abroad."
Izz's victory meant Malaysia had retained the title won by Syazirol Shamsuddin in the inaugural event last year.
Syazirol missed the cut after the second round (last 36 stage).
