Host nation dominates Men’s Doubles
9th December, Bangkok: Host nation, Thailand dominated the Men's Doubles of the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship as Phoemphun Yakasem-Annop Aromsaranon and Somjed Kusonpithak-Yannaphon Larpapharat finished 1-2 to win the gold and silver medals. Thailand's second pair of Somjed Kusonpithak and Yannaphon Larpapharat set the pace with 462 as the men took to the lanes for their doubles event this morning, 12 pins ahead of their teammates and third pair of Phoemphun Yakasem and Annop Aromsaranon.
Except for a brief lead by Malaysia's first pair of Aaron Kong and Singles bronze medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli in the second game, the event was totally dominated by the Thais when both pairs tied at 1300 each at the halfway mark.
Somjed-Yannaphon pulled away with 408 in the fourth game to lead the Phoemphun-Annop by 39 pins as the third pair suffered a low game of 356. The second pair continued to lead after the fifth game but only by 26 pins when their fellow-countrymen fought back with 428.
Phoemphun-Annop's momentum carried them forward and crucially ahead of their teammates to win the gold medal with 2521 after a strong final game of 437. Somjed-Yannaphon, who settled for the silver medal with 2503, gave host nation, Thailand a 1-2 finish.
Malaysia's Aaron Kong and Zulmazran Zulkifli hung on to third and the bronze medal with 2464 followed by the recovering pair of Adrian Ang and Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan, also of Malaysia in fourth with 2435.
Singles gold medalist, Shaun Ng and Remy Ong of Singapore finished sixth with 2358 while the other two pairs of Carl De Vries-Jason Yeong Nathan and Lee Yu Wen-Justin Teng, produced a lack-luster performance to end in 12th and 14th respectively.
After two events, Singles bronze medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli topped the All Events with 2498 followed by Yannaphon Larpapharat and Badin Lertpiriyasakilit, both of Thailand in second and third with 2450 and 2441 respectively.
Detailed scores: Men's Doubles | Photo Album.
Photos courtesy of MTBC.