Timmy Tan is a Klang-born bowler in Malaysia's National Podium Squad. He won the men's singles at the 2019 SEA Games and has three Asian Games silver medals. In 2025 he was part of the team that won Malaysia's first men's team gold at the IBF World Cup.
- Full name
- Timmy Tan Chye Chern
- Born
- 11 September 1994, Klang, Selangor (MTBC)
- Started bowling
- 2005
- Hand
- Not confirmed
- Status (Oct 2026)
- Active: MTBC Podium Squad; IBF World Cup 2026 squad
- Major titles
- 2019 SEA Games singles gold; 2025 IBF World Cup team gold
Starting out in Klang
Timmy began bowling in 2005, when he was about 11. His MTBC profile gives a simple reason: his mother was interested in the sport, so they learned it together. He then came through the junior ranks. MTBC credits him with a silver medal at the World Youth Championships, although it does not say which year.
Asian Games silver in 2014
His senior breakthrough came at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. There, Timmy Tan won two silver medals. The first was in the men's trios with Syafiq Ridhwan and Zulmazran Zulkifli. The second came in the men's team event, alongside Syafiq, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran, Alex Liew and a 17-year-old Rafiq Ismail.
SEA Games golds (2015 and 2019)
A year later he won his first SEA Games golds in Singapore. Timmy, Rafiq Ismail and Ahmad Muaz took the men's trios with 3,701 pins. Then the men's team of five, which included all three, won gold too. He also added doubles bronze with Johnathan Chan.
At the 2018 Asian Games in Palembang, the same trio of Timmy, Ahmad Muaz and Rafiq won silver. After that came his best individual moment. At the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, Timmy Tan won the men's singles gold ahead of Thailand's Annop Arromsaranon. He also won the men's team of four with Rafiq, Tun Hakim and Ahmad Muaz.
World Cup team gold in 2025
On 14 January 2025 in Hong Kong, Malaysia's men beat Puerto Rico 3-2 in the IBF World Cup team final. Timmy bowled with Tun Hakim, Rafiq Ismail and Ahmad Muaz. Malaysia won the deciding fifth game 227-161, and it was the country's first men's team gold at the event.
MTBC's profile also notes three Asian Championships golds. Moreover, he names defending an Asian Championships singles gold as his most memorable moment. The profile does not give the years, so we list those medals as unconfirmed in the table below.
Achievements
| Year | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Asian Games, Incheon | Silver: men's trios; silver: men's team |
| 2015 | SEA Games, Singapore | Gold: trios, team of five; bronze: doubles |
| 2018 | Asian Games, Palembang | Silver: men's trios |
| 2019 | SEA Games, Manila | Gold: men's singles; gold: team of four |
| 2025 | IBF World Cup, Hong Kong | Gold: men's team |
| Years unconfirmed | Asian Championships | 3 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze (MTBC count), including singles gold |
What's next for Timmy Tan
He is in Munich for the 2026 IBF World Cup, where Malaysia's men defend their team title from 19 to 21 October. Next on the calendar are the 28th Asian Championships in Doha in November 2026, although Malaysia's squad for that event had not been announced when we checked. Then the 2027 SEA Games bring bowling to Megalanes Batu Kawa in Kuching. Find dates on our competitions calendar, results on the news page, and more profiles on the Malaysian bowlers hub. His official profile is on MTBC's website.
Frequently asked questions
How did Timmy Tan start bowling?
His MTBC profile says he started in 2005 because his mother was interested in the sport, so the two of them learned together. He was about 11 at the time. He grew up in Klang, Selangor, and has represented Selangor in domestic events such as Sukma.
What is Timmy Tan's best individual result?
His clearest individual title is the men's singles gold at the 2019 SEA Games in Manila. MTBC also says he successfully defended an Asian Championships singles gold, which he calls his most memorable moment, but the profile does not give the years.
What are Timmy Tan's personal best scores?
According to MTBC, he has bowled a perfect 300 game, an 837 three-game series and a 1,577 six-game block. These figures come from his federation profile and may not include his most recent tournaments.
Is Timmy Tan at the 2026 IBF World Cup?
Yes. MTBC named him in the men's squad for Munich with Rafiq Ismail, Tun Hakim and Ahmad Muaz. It is the same team that won gold at the 2025 World Cup in Hong Kong.
