Striking Success Is Right Up His Alley
Feature: Nu’man Syahmi Yusri
In the brightly lit alleys of bowling centres across Singapore, one name is steadily becoming a symbol of perseverance, passion, and promise — Nu’man Syahmi Yusri. A graduate of the Singapore Sports School and now a recipient of the prestigious spexScholarship, Syahmi’s rise is a tale of quiet grit and unwavering dedication that continues to inspire both peers and aspiring athletes alike.
For Syahmi, the spark that ignited his passion in bowling at the tender age of 7, came from amid the laughter and casual competition of weekend family bowling outings. What began as fun with uncles and cousins quickly turned serious when he clinched third place at a novice competition in 2008 – a moment that sowed the seeds of a deeper ambition.
“I started at the age of 7,” he recalls. “That early win showed me that maybe, just maybe, I could be good at this.”
Syahmi’s enrolment in Sports School in 2013 was a turning point for him. Surrounded by some of the nation's top youth bowlers, his secondary school years became a vessel of growth. While individual titles remained elusive in those early years, he found success in team and school events.
“The bowlers that I grew up with are great bowlers that already had wins to their name, hence competing against them is a tough one,” he shares. “To be honest, there were moments I doubted if I had what it takes. But it was those very doubts that pushed me harder in training.”
Despite the emotional toll of near-misses, Syahmi adopted a mantra of consistent improvement. Each training session was like a brick laid in the foundation of his growing career. It was not just muscle memory or raw talent that elevated Syahmi in recent years. It was a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the sport – of oil patterns, ball selection, and lane transitions.
“Initially, I thought missing a strike meant I missed the line,” he explains. “But now, I know the lanes evolve during a game. Making sharper decisions mid-match has really changed my game.”
This technical growth, paired with mental fortitude, propelled him into the limelight. His message to younger athletes?
“The learning never stops. It is going to be a very bumpy road ahead but what are the things you are willing to do when favour does not go your way? For me, regardless of whether or not I am waking up on the right or left side of the bed, I choose to make each day count. Be it in training or competitions, I make sure I learn something out of it. Ask questions in order to understand what you are doing right and why certain things worked or did not work out. Seek the answers and try out different things to sharpen a skill or technique. You will see progress and it will pay off eventually,” he shared.
While many student-athletes face burnout and moved away from sports, Syahmi has found his own formula for longevity: community, camaraderie, and joy. “My teammates and coaches make training fun and meaningful,” he says. “It’s more than bowling. It’s about being in a place where I feel I belong.”
In March 2025, he competed at the PBA World Series of Bowling and the USBC Masters – a proving ground for the sport’s best. These experiences have been invaluable for developing his tactical, technical, and mental game.
This year also marked a major milestone in Syahmi’s sporting journey as he was inducted into the elite ranks of Singapore's spexScholars. The scholarship, awarded to top national athletes with potential for excellence, is a testament to his progress and promise.
“It’s an honour,” he says. “Being part of the spexScholarship Programme gives me access to resources and, most importantly, international exposure.”
Now training with one eye on the SEA Games in Thailand later this year, Syahmi is not only focused on his personal goals but also sowing seeds for the next generation. He has done part-time coaching in Sports School, and hope to do more in the future.
“I want to give back to the bowling community,” he says. “To help young athletes chase their dreams, just as I’ve been chasing mine.”
In Nu’man Syahmi, Team Singapore has not just found a talented bowler, but a passionate mentor and a resilient role model. From a weekend hobby to the world stage, his journey is far from over – but it’s already one worth celebrating.
Photo Crerdit: Asian Bowling Federation
For Syahmi, the spark that ignited his passion in bowling at the tender age of 7, came from amid the laughter and casual competition of weekend family bowling outings. What began as fun with uncles and cousins quickly turned serious when he clinched third place at a novice competition in 2008 – a moment that sowed the seeds of a deeper ambition.
“I started at the age of 7,” he recalls. “That early win showed me that maybe, just maybe, I could be good at this.”
Syahmi’s enrolment in Sports School in 2013 was a turning point for him. Surrounded by some of the nation's top youth bowlers, his secondary school years became a vessel of growth. While individual titles remained elusive in those early years, he found success in team and school events.
“The bowlers that I grew up with are great bowlers that already had wins to their name, hence competing against them is a tough one,” he shares. “To be honest, there were moments I doubted if I had what it takes. But it was those very doubts that pushed me harder in training.”
Despite the emotional toll of near-misses, Syahmi adopted a mantra of consistent improvement. Each training session was like a brick laid in the foundation of his growing career. It was not just muscle memory or raw talent that elevated Syahmi in recent years. It was a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the sport – of oil patterns, ball selection, and lane transitions.
“Initially, I thought missing a strike meant I missed the line,” he explains. “But now, I know the lanes evolve during a game. Making sharper decisions mid-match has really changed my game.”
This technical growth, paired with mental fortitude, propelled him into the limelight. His message to younger athletes?
“The learning never stops. It is going to be a very bumpy road ahead but what are the things you are willing to do when favour does not go your way? For me, regardless of whether or not I am waking up on the right or left side of the bed, I choose to make each day count. Be it in training or competitions, I make sure I learn something out of it. Ask questions in order to understand what you are doing right and why certain things worked or did not work out. Seek the answers and try out different things to sharpen a skill or technique. You will see progress and it will pay off eventually,” he shared.
While many student-athletes face burnout and moved away from sports, Syahmi has found his own formula for longevity: community, camaraderie, and joy. “My teammates and coaches make training fun and meaningful,” he says. “It’s more than bowling. It’s about being in a place where I feel I belong.”
In March 2025, he competed at the PBA World Series of Bowling and the USBC Masters – a proving ground for the sport’s best. These experiences have been invaluable for developing his tactical, technical, and mental game.
This year also marked a major milestone in Syahmi’s sporting journey as he was inducted into the elite ranks of Singapore's spexScholars. The scholarship, awarded to top national athletes with potential for excellence, is a testament to his progress and promise.
“It’s an honour,” he says. “Being part of the spexScholarship Programme gives me access to resources and, most importantly, international exposure.”
Now training with one eye on the SEA Games in Thailand later this year, Syahmi is not only focused on his personal goals but also sowing seeds for the next generation. He has done part-time coaching in Sports School, and hope to do more in the future.
“I want to give back to the bowling community,” he says. “To help young athletes chase their dreams, just as I’ve been chasing mine.”
In Nu’man Syahmi, Team Singapore has not just found a talented bowler, but a passionate mentor and a resilient role model. From a weekend hobby to the world stage, his journey is far from over – but it’s already one worth celebrating.
- Striking Success Is Right Up His Alley
