Strong performance by Singapore women

Strong performance by Singapore women

5th July, Hong Kong: Despite a record-breaking performance by Jasmine Yeong-Nathan and Bernice Lim in the opening Singles event of the 20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championship, their score were only good for ninth and tenth positions. Former national champion, Jasmine chalked up a 6-game total of 1368 erasing the 2004 Asian Championship record of 1306 set by Ann-Marie Putney of Australia while team-mate and debutante, Lim posted 1330.

Jasmine started moderately with 210, 202 and 225 in the first three games but a lowly 186 in the fourth game saw the 20-year-old dropping down the field. She then rebounded with a superb 278 putting her in contention for a medal.

Despite finishing strongly with 248 in her final game, Jasmine's total of 1368 only put her in ninth position, 150 off the gold medalist, Hwang Sun-Ok of Korea, who totaled 1497. Pace-setter and team-mate, Choi Jin-A settled for the silver medal with 1494, just 3 pins adrift.   "This is a high-scoring lane but I just couldn't take advantage of it," said the 2005 national champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan. "I lost a bit of concentration in the fourth game and although I came back strongly in the fifth and sixth games, my total was just not good enough to earn me a medal.

Jeon Eun-Hee, who shot the championship's first perfect game in her final game, snatched the bronze medal with 1479 from another Korean, Kim Yeau-Jin missing the podium with 1448. Bernice Lim ended in tenth position despite another record-breaking score of 1330.

"The girls did well and I'm happy with their performances so far," said team manager, Melvin Lim. "This is a world-class field competing here and in order to stand a chance of winning a medal, the players have to make sure they stay focus throughout the 6 games.

Malaysian Open champion, Jazreel Tan did not get into her strides until the final two games and ended up in 25th with debutante, Amanda Ng taking up 29th. Sabrina Lim took up 39th position while Singapore Open champion, Cherie Tan finished a lowly 45th position.

Detailed scores: Women's Singles. Photos by Terence Yaw.