A slow start for Singapore

26th July, Helsinki: Singapore national bowlers competing at the World Youth Championship 2010 had a slow start after both the girls and the boys drew blanks in their opening Singles event as Korea and England won the first two gold medals. The opening squad of the Girl's Singles on Sunday saw Daphne Tan finishing 12th position with 1207 and Asian Youth Games two-gold medalist, New Hui Fen 14th in which Netherland's Carmen Haandrikman took pole with 1389.

Singapore's hopeful, Jazreel Tan had a great start with 231, 222 and 209 in her first three games but fizzled off with 184, 172 and 192 to end up in 18th position behind team-mate, Shayna Ng in 13th in the second squad.

Second seed, Kim Yeon-Ju of Korea claimed the first gold after she easily defeated Brittni Hamilton of USA, 192-155 to win the gold. Kim beat third-seed, Diana Zavjalova of Latvia, 214-204 in the semi while Hamilton edged Carman Haandrikman, 60-20 in the tie breaker after both were locked at 188 in the other semi.   Benjamin Lim and Justin Lim Chia Loong did not provide Singapore much progress as both managed 12th and 18th positions respectively in Squad 2 in which Korea's Park Jong-Woo took pole with a scintillating 1447. In the third and final squad of the Boy's Singles, Asian Youth Games Masters gold medalist, Basil Low was in a strong position to advance into the knockout stage after having trailed in fourth to Christian Birlinger of Germany by 24 pins before the final game.

But Low threw away his golden opportunity with a weak 171 to remain fourth in eighth overall. Justin Lim Chun Liang took 18th spot and 62nd overall. Park retained pole with Sam Cooley of Australia, Francois Lavoie of Canada and Adam Cairns of England making the semi-finals.

Cairns went on to beat Cooley, 210-139 in the finals to win the gold for England. He also ousted the Korean, 246-214 in the earlier semi-finals. The Aussie cruised to the finals after dispatching the French, 211-158 in the other semi.   Competition resumes on Tuesday with the Girl's Doubles event and on Wednesday with the Boy's Doubles to give Singapore a chance to redeem themselves. The team events will be contested on Thursday July 29 and Friday July 30.

Detailed scores:
Girl's Singles Semi & Finals | Girl's Singles Qualification | Boy's Singles Semi & Finals | Boy's Singles Qualification. Photos by Ari Komulainen, Finnish Bowling Federation.