14th January, Hong Kong, China: Malaysia defeated Puerto Rico 3-2 to bag the Men's Team gold medal of the 2025 IBF World Cup just concluded at Queen Elizabeth Stadium while USA denied Malaysia an historical double by edging their women 3-2 to clinch the Women's Team gold.
Tun Hakim, Timmy Tan, Ahmad Muaz and anchored by Singles silver medalist, Rafiq Ismail took the first game, 203-179 in the best-of-five Baker Format final. Puerto Rico's Cristian Azcona, Edgar Burgos, David Marquez and Jorge Rodriguez fought back convincingly to win the second game, 257-216 and drew one-all.
The Malaysian regained their momentum in their third game, winning the 197-180, but faltered in the fourth, losing 185-222. In the decisive final game, Malaysia rallied to defeat the Puerto Ricans 227-161 marking an historical first men's Team gold medal in the IBF World Cup.
Team gold medalist, Rafiq Ismail, Tun Hakim, Ahmad Muaz and Timmy Tan
The champion had earlier, ousted Kuwait, 3-1 (205-153, 159-201, 245-206 and 234-233) in the second semi-final match to book their place in the final. Puerto Rico took out favourites, USA 3-1 in the first semi-final match to face Malaysia in the final.
Meanwhile, Malaysian women came agonisingly close to set another historical milestone but were denied by USA in the women's final. Singles gold medalist, Natasha Roslan, Siti Safiyah Amirah, Gillian Lim and anchorwomen, Sin Li Jane lost the first game, 195-214.
The Malaysian quartet fought back brilliantly to beat USA's Byranna Cote, Jillian Martin, Lauren Russo and two-time World Cup champion, Shannon Pluhwosky, 222-211. Both challengers struggled in their third game which saw USA edging Malaysia, 198-176 for a 2-1 lead in favour of the Americans.
The fourth game proved crucial for Malaysia when USA opened up a commanding lead but Malaysia had not given up after two open frames to roll six consecutive strikes from frame seven onwards winning 220-210 to force a deciding fifth game.
Malaysia had a cracking start with three strikes-in-a-row but two opened frames swayed the tie to USA. The Americans strung together several consecutive strikes to win 212-180 and emerged as champion. Malaysia had earlier, outclassed Macau, China 3 in the first semi-finals match to advance to the final.
Team gold medalist, Lauren Russo, Bryanna Cote, Shannon Pluhowsky and Jillian Martin
USA eliminated Singapore with a 3-1 win to reach the final and face their arch-rival, Malaysia. His Excellency Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah, President of IBF/ABF was on hand to present the medals to the Men's Team winners while Mr Emanuele Govoni, President and CEO of QubicaMAF gave away the medals to the Women's Team winners.
The week-long IBF World Cup concluded with a Victory Banquet hosted by HKCTBC at the Grand Ballroom, Shangri-la Hotel in Kowloon. The IBF flag was handed over to the next host, Germany at the banquet. 100 men and 52 women from 26 countries participated at this year's event at the newly-open 40-lane Top Bowl, Kai Tak Sports Park.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.