A star is born: 15-year-old Ethan on fire at Sunway PJ - Borneo Post Online (2025)

KUCHING (April 21): KUCHING: Sarawak keglers ended their campaign at the Malaysian International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships with a bang as they captured two titles along with four second placings and two third placings at Sunway Megalanes, Petaling Jaya on Sunday.

National youth bowler Ethan Damien Goh Chen Ming was the toast of the team as he completed a double by winning the Boys’ Open and Men’s Open categories.

It was the biggest breakthrough for Ethan in several respects. He became the youngest bowler in history to win the Men’s title at the age of 15. He was also the first Sarawakian to win the Men’s Open.

Ethan also defended his Boys’ Open title won in 2024 and helped Sarawak complete a hat-trick of Open wins after Lavinia Kho Jia Jie won the Women’s Open in 2023 and Gillian Lim Siew Giok won the Women’s Open in 2024.

Meanwhile, finishing in second place were Eldred Kho Yek Zhen (Boys Graded Singles), Asya Dania Azree (Girls Graded Singles, Women’s Graded Singles) and Nur Hazirah Ramli (Women’s Open Singles).

Finishing in third place were Abang Afiq Yazid Abang Azman (Men’s Graded) and Anathacia Gadding John Lon (Girls Open).

Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas) president Sunny Si Poh Heng was impressed with Ethan’s performance and said his success bore a testament to Abas’ emphasis on youth development.

“For our young bowlers, of paramount importance is family support. Ethan’s parents epitomises that aspect, and the result speaks for itself. When I say ‘family support’, I also include close rapport with Abas.

“We work as a team … the bowlers, their families and of course with Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Sarawak Sports Corporation, Sarawak State Sports Council and Abas,” he told The Borneo Post.

Sarawak head coach Angelo Koay was also full of praises for the state bowlers especially Ethan.

“Competing in Sukma XXI Sarawak has helped him mature a lot in bowling. Improving weaknesses and solidifying strength in areas of his game has seen a vast elevation in his overall performance.

“He is looking more resolute now with a stronger tolerance of pressure and stress which comes with competing at the elite level,” he said.

“Bowling has evolved much and competitive level has risen tremendously. The Open division now is not reserved for the national elites and pros anymore. Anybody can win it with hard work, unwavering determination and stubborn perseverance to succeed powered with proper training, guidance and equipment.

“It’s is a very good sign for Malaysian bowling and the sport overall. Opportunity is there now for all the young aspiring athletes. That’s is what Ethan’s triumph represents, not only you must dare to dream it, you have to work your socks off for it,” the coach added.

Editor’s note: This article has been amended for accuracy.