Three-time world bowling champion Esther Cheah has officially announced her retirement from professional bowling.

The 39-year-old confirmed her decision, closing a long chapter in Malaysian bowling history.

"As a national athlete, Esther not only brought pride to Malaysia on the international stage but also served as a role model of perseverance, discipline and fighting spirit for the younger generation," said Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia.

Cheah is Malaysia’s first Singles world champion, a milestone she achieved at the 2005 World Bowling Championships in Aalborg, Denmark.

After two years, Cheah went on to add another gold medal, winning gold in the team-of-five event at the 2007 World Championships in Monterrey and later claimed another teams gold in Las Vegas in 2017.

Malaysian bowler also collected multiple gold medals at the Asian Bowling Championships, winning doubles titles in 2008 and 2016, masters in 2019, and trios in 2019.

She also played an important role in Malaysia’s bowling achievements at the Asian Games. In 2006, Cheah won singles and team-of-five gold, and added silver in trios, all-event and masters. In 2018 she added another gold in trios.

In addition to her international team career, Cheah competed on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour after joining in 2016. In 2024, she earned her first PWBA Regional title by winning the PWBA Oklahoma Regional, adding another milestone in her competitive career.

For the past two decades, Cheah is seen as one of the most experienced and successful female bowlers Malaysia has ever had on the international scene.