MALAYSIA wrapped up the '7 Nations Lawn Bowls Invitation 2026' in style at the Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.

The 2025 inaugural World Cup champions snatched all four gold medals and the overall title in the 4-day competition.

The 2 events competed were for singles and pairs (men and women).

The participating teams include New Zealand, India, Northern Territory Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong China.

Malaysia had three teams - senior, podium and back-up squads.

The friendly meet was not short of excitement and competitiveness.

As all four finals were decided by tie-break sets.

The home team's unheralded men's and women's pairs stole the show.

Nur Syafira-Nurul Balqis stunned the 2025 World Cup champion pair from Hong Kong China - Cheryl Chan-Helen Cheung (6-4, 5-6, 1-0)

While Naufal Azmi and Fadley Jabal edged the pair from Northern Territory Australia - Alex Brennan-Trystan Smallacombe ( 3-6, 10-0, 1-0)

In the men's singles Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple of Malaysia defeated New Zealand's seasoned hand Shannon Mcilroy  (5-8, 8-2, 1-0).

While former World No.1 Nor Farah Ain had to come from a set down to edge India's Nayonmoni Saikia (4-12, 12-2, 1-0).

Nor Farah had earlier defeated compatriot  2025 World Cup winner Emma Firyana Saroji in the semis.⬛

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Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh graced the Opening of the inaugural 'World Cup 2025' in Bukit Kiara - promising top class action!

"What a privilege and honor it is for Malaysia to host the inaugural 'World Cup 2025' in Kuala Lumpur."

"It is the World Cup held in Malaysia."

She inspired the teams, reminding them that they represent the best of a combined population of 2 billion people from 12 nations.

"This means a lot for the athletes and I am sure they have a story to tell of how they have overcome challenges."

WORLD No.3 - women singles player Selina Goddard of New Zealand is all smiles ahead of the 'World Cup 2025'.

The Kiwi has settled down well with the competition barely two days away.

"The portable-rink is gorgeous ... amazing," said Selina, 31 after her first session testing the lanes in Bukit Kiara.

"The speed is quite similar to what we have back at home.

"Am already feeling quite comfortable here."

Selina will play in singles and partner Katelyn Inch in pairs.⬛

INDIA'S dynamic duo - Rupa Rani Tirkey and Nayonmani Saikia thrives mainly in team events.

Almost all their major achievements come from the fours and triples competitions.

Rupa Rani is an international lawn bowler who skipped the Indian team to a historic gold medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

"Our strength is mainly in team events.

"We will give our best shot in the singles and pairs event."⬛

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the international lawn bowls community have started to arrive in batches.

The Para Athlete from England - Sally-Ann Lewis-Wal and coach Helen Lewis are the first to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Work in progress at the National Lawn Bowls Centre in Bukit Kiara ahead of the inaugural 'World Cup 2025". The background shows the Juara Indoor Stadium, where the 'portable rinks' have been installed.

Sprucing up the lawn bowls scoreboard ahead of the 'World Cup 2025' at the covered stadium in Bukit Kiara.

The placards in place ahead of the opening ceremony for the 'World Cup 2025 in Bukit Kiara.

MUHAMMAD Soufi Rusli has not won a world title.

The best was a silver (2017 singles) and two bronzes (2016 singles, 2023 pairs).

Soufi has a chance to make that dream come true - as a world champion in Kuala Lumpur next month.

Malaysia host the 'World Cup 2025' at the Bukit Kiara National Lawn Bowls Centre from Nov 4-8.

The 'WC2025' format is designed exclusively for the top 12 ranked nations.

Points will be accumulated from the total 7 events for men, women, para athletes in 2 disciplines - singles and pairs.

Soufi, 38, believes he has a "50-50" chance.

"This is the 1st World Cup and we are hosting it. It means a lot.

"All the top nations and great players will gather here."

The top drawcards in men's singles are World No. 1 Jason Banks of Scotland and Aussies Jack McShane (No.2) and Corey Wedlock (No.3).

"I'm excited and also feel the heat playing such a big event at home," said Soufi, who will also partner Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in the pairs event.

Soufi holds the distinction of having won gold medals in all four disciplines at the Asian Championships.

Singles (2017 India), pairs (2025 Philippines), triples (2014, 2024) and fours (2014, 2023, 2025).⬛

FAMILY presence will be an added boost for former World No.1 – Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple.

“Every bit of support at home counts,” said the 33-year-old Izzat ahead of the ‘World Cup 2025’ in Kuala Lumpur next month.

“This is the 1st World event for me in Malaysia. It means a lot having my loved ones behind me in Bukit Kiara.”

“In my 10 years with the national team…this moment will be a special one,” he said.

Izzat will compete in the singles and pairs events together with Muhammad Soufi Rusli.

The duo picked up the bronze at the 2023 World Bowls championships in Gold Coast.

Izzat said home advantage will be an added boost for the national team.

“We have a taste playing in the new world class ‘portable rink’ in Bukit Kiara.

“The playing conditions are excellent and we hope to raise our game,” said the Ipoh lad.

Bukit Kiara serves the best platform for Izzat to make amends on his World title hopes.

In 2022, he missed the World title finishing runner-up to England’s Sam Tolchard in the Champion of Champions in New Zealand.

Last year, he picked up silver and bronze medals at the World Indoor Championships in Guernsey.

The silver in singles and the bronze with Nor Farah Ain in mixed pairs.⬛