{
  "id": 1474734,
  "title": "Isyraq strikes Sukma gold for late mother",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/isyraq-strikes-sukma-gold-for-late-mother",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T11:52:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/08/1513236/isyraq-strikes-sukma-gold-late-mother"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Subang Jaya: Sarawak's Isyraq Iqbal Ramadhan triumphantly claimed his first Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medal on Monday, paying homage to his late mother. The 19-year-old delivered a stellar performance in the men's singles event at Sunway Mega Lanes, rolling an impressive six-game total of 1,331 pins for a 221.8 average, giving Sarawak a crucial early edge in the Games. Isyraq narrowly edged out Penang's Adam Darwish Dzulhakimy by 48 pins, who secured silver with 1,283 pins, while Pahang's Sufi Fitri Jumalis took bronze with 1,260.\n\nIsyraq's emotional victory was deeply personal, as he dedicated the honor to his mother, Norlia Morshidi, who passed away from a heart condition last year. \"This is for my mum. She passed away last year,\" he said, before adding that she had always been a source of support throughout his bowling journey.\n\nThe young bowler, who began playing at the age of nine, was participating in his second Sukma Games. This gold medal marked his first individual victory, although he had previously won a bronze in the team event during the 2024 Games in Sarawak. Isyraq expressed his gratitude to his coaches, friends, and supporters, saying, \"I'm very, very happy and grateful today.\"\n\nThe victory also proved a timely boost for Sarawak, which was recently derailed by the surprising fourth-place finish of 2022 women's singles champion Lavinia Kho, who had previously won the title in 2020 thanks to Nur Hazirah Ramli. Isyraq's breakthrough ensured the early success of Sarawak's title defense, despite Penang's Adam Darwish Dzulhakimy's silver medal. National back-up bowler Danial Abu Samah finished fifth with 1,256, while Isyraq's Sarawak teammate and fellow spotter, Ethan Damien Goh, secured sixth with 1,255. Despite the presence of experienced opponents, Isyraq maintained his focus, saying, \"I just kept focusing on myself and ignored everything else.\" He remains hopeful of representing Malaysia at major international events in the future, such as the SEA Games.",
  "summary": "SUBANG JAYA: Sarawak’s Isyraq Iqbal Ramadhan fought back tears after claiming his maiden Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold on Monday, dedicating the biggest triumph of his young bowling career to his late mother.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Injured Aimran fights through pain to win Sukma gold",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/injured-aimran-fights-through-pain-to-win-sukma-gold",
        "published": "2026-08-17T11:43:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}