World Champion hopes to end barren run

World Champion hopes to end barren run

23rd May, Singapore: World Championship two gold medalist, Remy Ong will be hoping to end a barren 2007 year with a victory in the Masters finals of the 41st Singapore International Open.  Ong, who bagged the Singles and All-Events gold medal at the World Men's Championship in Busan in 2006, sits comfortably third in the Men's Open Masters qualifying table with a score of 935.

The 29-year-old southpaw finished third in last year's championship and looked posied to regain the title for Singapore and will also give him the confidence leading to this year's World Men's Championship in Bangkok this August.

Youngster, Eugene Low continued to lead the Men's table with 946 posted two days ago followed by early leader and veteran, Jack Wong in second with 938. 2006 champion, Lee Yu-Wen, another southpaw, is also strongly fancied with a fourth place finish on 932.

2005 national champion, Jason Yeong-Nathan rounded up the top 5 as 2004 national champion, Helmi Chew dropped off the local pool but topped the mixed pool with 825.Malaysian Open runner-up, Zandra Aziela of Malaysia headed the Women's overseas pool with a moderate 846 in her first attempt with teammate, Choy Poh Lai in a less impressive second on 691.

Asian youth champion, Valerie Teo maintained pole position on 885 with Jennifer Tan in second with 883. Ong She-Na improved to third with 876 ahead of 2005 national women champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan is a comfortable fourth with 862.

Sabrina Lim, who dropped off into the mixed pool overnight, improved to move back into the local pool and in sixth spot with 845 behind Cherie Tan who also returned to the local pool in fifth with 859.

Rena Teng, Doreen Pang and this year's Malaysian Open champion, Jazreel Tan all dropped into the mixed pool to take up the top three positions with 891, 808 and 803 respectively.

Eugene Low and Ong She-Na continued to top the Youth Boy's and Girl's table as qualifying intensify with the arrival of the overseas bowlers competing in this year's championship.

Photos by Terence Yaw.