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2025 IBF World Cup

China and Malaysia wins Singles gold

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10th January, Hong Kong, China: Du Jian Chao of China defeated the fancied Malaysian, Rafiq Ismail 2-1 in the final to win the Men's Singles gold of the 2025 IBF World Cup while Natasha Roslan made amends for Malaysia with victory over Germany's Birgit Noreiks in the Women's final.

2024 Asia Ranked No. 1 and 2024 Asian Championships Masters gold medalist, Ismail had a superb start in the opening match with three strikes-in-a-row to open up an eleven pin lead over Du. But the Chinese spinner responded with five consecutive strikes from frame 5.

The Malaysian added a double in the sixth and seventh frames to close the gap to his opponent. Du looked set to take the match but failed to convert a three-pin spare and handed the match to Ismail, 222-223. In the second match, Ismail took an early lead but two costly misses in the fourth and fifth frames gave Du a chance to catch up.

The Chinese went on to strike home from frame eight to beat Ismail, 226-166 which forced the tie to a third and deciding match. Again Ismail started off well with three consecutive strikes but Du again responded with three consecutive strikes of his own.

Singles gold medalist, Du Jian Chao

Men's Singles medalists, Rafiq Ismail, Du Jian Chao, Patrick Hanrahan and Jaris Goh

A bad split in the seventh frame and failing to make spare in the eight frame costed Ismail. Du displayed resilience and went on to roll another three strikes-in-a-row to seal a well-deserved victory, 235-193.

The champion had ousted Singapore's Jaris Goh, 2-0 in the first semi-finals match while Ismail defeated Patrick Hanrahan of USA, 2-0 in the second semi-finals to book his place in the final. Goh and Hanrahan took home a bronze medal each.

Meanwhile, 2024 Asian Championships Doubles and Trios gold medalist, Natasha Roslan easily defeated Birgit Noreiks of Germany, 217-166 and 226-169 to make amends for Malaysia by winning the gold medal. The champion had a difficult match against Daphne Tan of Singapore in the second semi-finals though.

Natasha took the first match, 244-198 but lost narrowly to the Singaporean, 213-216 forcing the tie to a third match. The Malaysian only encountered a split in the fifth frame while her opponent had two splits and a third opened frame.

Tan struck out from frame nine but Natasha kept her composure to end the match with a 187-181 victory and claiming the gold medal. The German cruised to the final after beating Nora Johansson of Sweden, 197-170 and 195-161 for a 2-0 win in the first semi-final.

Two days of match play during the qualifying rounds produced 32 men and women finalists for today's Round of 32 best-of-three elimination round. The field was cut down to 16 before reaching the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.

Woen's Singles gold medalist, Natasha Roslano

Women's Singles medalists, Birgit Noreiks, Natasha Roslan, Daphne Tan and Nora Johansson

Competition will shift to the Team event with each team contesting a total of 13 matches over two blocks in Bakers' Format. The top 16 with the highest points will advance to the Round of 16 knockout elimination round.

The semi-finals and final will be over best-of-five matches and will be staged at Queen Elizabeth Stadium on a pair of specially erected QubicaAMF lanes.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.

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