Aussies enjoy golden finish to world junior indoors
Australian young gun Nathan Black notched the biggest win of his young career on Friday, taking out the men’s singles gold medal at the IIBC World Under 25 Indoor Championships in Scotland.
Black took on Malaysia’s Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan in the final at East Kilbride, vying for his first taste of international gold.
The South Australian star showed no signs of nerves, romping his way to a 9-0 first set win. Black collected a three on the opening end to settle into the contest, and would go on to win the next four ends to finish the set two ends early.
Back-to-back doubles in the opening two ends of the second set put the newly promoted Right at Home Jackaroo in the box seat, but the Malaysian showed the calibre of a world championship finalist.
Ramlan scored six shots across the next three ends to take the lead, before Black moved within one, with scores at 5-6 with one end to play.
Black just needed to win the end to secure victory, with last bowl up his sleeve. Holding three, Ramlan missed with his final effort, with Black not needing to play his final bowl, soaking in the crowning moment of his first world title.
The gold adds to his bronze medal he won alongside Jessie Cottell the previous day in the mixed pairs.
It is Black’s first success on the international stage, with plenty of time to build his resume, having turned 20 in November.
Men’s singles final: Nathan Black (Australia) def Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan (Malaysia) 9-0, 8-6
View all results here and rewatch the match below.
The Junior World Bowls Indoor Championships ran from December 4-8, 2023 in East Kilbride, Scotland.
