Emma Now World No.1 Player

National lawn bowls queen Emma Firyana Saroji considers her new world No. 1 ranking a powerful motivator as she prepares for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, set to begin on July 23.

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I didn't expect my ranking to suddenly go up to number one in the world, and I see this as a 'booster' for the Commonwealth Games and as encouragement to be more consistent in every game I face.

Emma admitted she did not expect to surpass her competitors to reach the top spot in the world rankings. However, she views this achievement as a significant confidence boost heading into the prestigious event in Glasgow, Scotland. "I didn't expect my ranking to suddenly go up to number one in the world, and I see this as a 'booster' for the Commonwealth Games and as encouragement to be more consistent in every game I face," she stated.

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If there were no pressure, it would be a lie because even when I was world number two, I already felt the pressure, let alone now when all the attention is focused on me, but I take all that as something positive.

While acknowledging the pressure that comes with the top ranking, Emma emphasized that the real challenge now lies in maintaining stable performance to defend her position. "If there were no pressure, it would be a lie because even when I was world number two, I already felt the pressure, let alone now when all the attention is focused on me, but I take all that as something positive," she said.

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I need to be more consistent in every match, including at the Commonwealth Games and world ranking tournaments, because to maintain this position, I need to give 100 percent and plan every participation as best as possible.

The 39-year-old player highlighted the need for consistent performance in all her matches, including the Commonwealth Games and other world ranking tournaments. She believes giving 100 percent and meticulously planning her participation are crucial for retaining her top spot. Emma is actively trying to understand the world ranking point system, as points can fluctuate, to ensure her reign at the top is sustained and not just a fleeting moment.

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I am still trying to understand the world ranking point system because sometimes points can go up and down, so I need to know how to maintain the number one position for longer and not just be at the top for a short while.