12th July, Hong Kong: Third-seed, Alex Yu captured Hong Kong's first gold medal in the Boy's Masters final of the 20th Asian School Tenpin Bowling Championships while top-seed, Erina Ishimoto took home Japan's fifth gold in the Girl's division.
Triple gold medallist, Hideaki Hata of Japan won the first game, 230-217 against challenger, Yu in the championship match to take a slender 13 pins lead. But the 17-year-old Hong Kong national youth fought back galantly to win the second game, 248-224 to capture the gold with 465-454 total pinfalls.
Hata got off to a better start in the second game with three consecutive strikes whilst Yu marked his opening frame before rolling a double in the second and third frames to trail by 9 pins. But the 16-year-old Japanese missed a crucial single pin in his fourth frame allowing Yu to draw level.
Although both the gold medal contenders rolled two consecutive strikes each in the fifth and sixth frames, Yu continued his strikefest by adding three additional strikes to open up a gap of 23 pins and reducing the first game margin of 13 pins to just 3.
Boy's Masters medallists, Hideaki Hata, Alex Yu and Naoto Kanno
Hata added two more strikes in the eight and ninth frames and needed another in the tenth frame for any chance to winning the tie but left a solid pin 10 eliminating all chances for a victory. Yu then marked his tenth frame to seal victory, to the delight of the large local crowd that had gathered to lend support to the Hong Kong youth.
The champion had earlier edged second-perfect gamer and a second Japanese, Naoto Kanno, 247-244 in the semi-final to advance to the final. Hata, who had won three gold medals in the Singles, Team and All Events, settled for the silver while Kanno earned his third individual bronze medal.
Hata ended the earlier second block Masters finals in first position with 4052 pinfalls from another five wins to advance to the stepladder finals as top-seed. Kanno, who rolled the championships' second 300 in the nith game, finished second with 4033 while Yu won all his second block matches to make the cut with 3966.
All was not lost when top-seed, Erina Ishoimoto won Japan's fifth gold medal of the championships with victory over Singles gold medallist and third-seed, Arianne Tay of Singapore B, 425-384 in the Girl's Masters title match.
Ishimoto narrowly lost the first game, 182-190 but bounced back superbly to beat Tay, 243-194 for her second gold medal of the championships. She picked up her first gold in the Team event yesterday.
Tay had earlier out-classed All Events gold medallist and second-seed, Fion Liew, 225-151 in the all-Singapore semi-final match to advance to the title match. Tay, who won three silver medals in the Doubles, Team and All Events, picked up her fourth silver medal.
Liew, who also won silver in the Singles, gold in the Doubles and All Events, bronze in the Team of 4, added a second bronze medal in the Masters. Ishimoto topped the second block Masters finals with 3667 from just three wins.
Girl's Masters medallists, Arianne Tay, Erina Ishimoto and Fion Liew
Liew snatched second spot in the position-round match against fourth-placed, Akiho Mizutani with 3582. Tay made the cut in third position with 3563. Mizutani missed the cut by 46 pins to finish fourth with 3517.
Singapore emerged as champion of the girl's division with a medal haul of 2-1-2 while Japan was champion in the boy's division with a haul of 3-2-3. Japan were crowned the Overall chanmpion of the championships with 5 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals.
Singapore finished second overall with 2-1-3 and Hong Kong A third with 1-1-0. Qatar won one gold medal in the Boy's Doubles and one bronze medal in the Boy's All Events and Australia A won a silver medal in the Boy's Doubles.
A victory banquet was held at KITEC, Kowloon Bay graced by Guest of Honour, Mr Timothy Fok, GBS, JP, President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and Ms Ida Lee, JP, Acting DIrector of Leisure and Cultural Services.
Also in attendance were Ms Vivien Lau, BBS, JP, Organizing Chairman and Chairman of Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress, Dr Trisha Leahy, BBS, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Sports Institute, and the Honorable, Mr Ma Fung Kwok, SBS, JP, Counsellor of Legistative Council.
Ms Vivien Lau gave her closing speech at the start of the banquet, followed by Mr Timonthy Fok and Ms Ida Lee. Ms Ida Lee presented the Girls champion and Boys champion trophies to Singapore A and Japan while Mr Fok awarded the Overall champion trophy to Japan.
Hideaki Hata of Japan was voted the most popular boy by all the players while Arielle Tay was voted the most popular girl. Both were awarded an Apple Airpod each courtesy of Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress.
Guest of Honour, Mr Timothy Fok celivering his closing speech at the banquet
A simple flag handling over ceremony was held where Ms Vivien Lau passed on to Mr Timothy Fok before being passed to Mr Alexander Lim of Philippines Bowling Federation, who will host the 21st edition of Asian School Tenpin Bowling CHampionships in Manila in August 2020.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.
11th July, Hong Kong: 2018 Asian School two gold medallist, Alex Yu of Hong Kong A Team is eyeing for the final Masters gold medal of the 20th Asian School Tenpin Bowling Championships after finishing third in the Boy's Masters first block finals.
Yu started well with a win in his opening game by defeating team-mate, Keith Mark 246-211 to earn the 10 pin bonus as Team gold and All Events silver medallist, Naoto Kanno of Japan beat triple gold medallist, Hideaki Hata, 279-257 to take the lead.
Kanno went on a hot streak winning his next five matches with 268, 247, 247, 224 and 248 but could not shake off Hata, who was right on his heals winning four matches on bigger games except in the fourth match of 279, 255, 203, 289 and 245.
Although Kanno won his seventh match with 211, Hata also won his seventh match but with a stronger game of 236 to take over the lead. Lim also won his next six matches but continued to trail the leading duo.
Alex Yu finishing third in the Boy's Masters Block 1 finals
Hata ended the first block without a win on 206 but topped the field with 2030 from a total of five wins. Kanno also failed to win his eighth match with 203 and had to settle for second spot with 1997 from a total of seven wins.
Yu, who won the Doubles silver medal with Mark on Tuesday, stormed home with two big matches of 259 and 237 to snatch third spot with 1974 from five wins. Lim, despite winning all eight matches slipped down to fourth with 1969. Isaac Lai of Singapore A completed the top five with 1932.
In the girl's division, Team gold medallist, Ishimoto of Japan set a cracking pace to win her first three matches and led Singles gold medallist, Arianne Tay, who won two of her first three matches. Doubles and All Events gold medallist, Fion Liew kept pace with the leading duo but with just one win for third spot.
Tay won her next three matches to lead from match four to six as the Japanese only won once. Liew also failed to captilise but managed to win two of her next three. Another Japanese, Akiho Mizutani followed closely behind in fourth.
Ishimoto then bounched back brilliantly by winning her seventh and eighth matches with 221 and 268 to end the block in the lead with 1905 from a total of six wins. Tay slipped back to second with 1812 from six wins.
Masters Block 1 leaders, Erina Ishimoto and Hideaki Hata
Liew clinched third spot with 1800 from just three wins. Mizutani remained in fourth position with 1769 from just three wins while Mandy Koh of Singapore B rounded out the top five with 1767 from five wins.
The finalists will resume tomorrow with their second block of seven matches with pins carried forward including a position-round match to determine the top 3 boys and top 3 girls with the highest pinfalls to proceed to the Stepladder shootout finals.
The semi-final match will pit the second-seed and the third-seed over one match. The winner will advance to the final to face the top-seed for a two-games total pinfalls finale to decide champion.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.
9th July, Hong Kong: 2018 Asian School two gold medallist, Alex Yu partnered Keith Mark to give Hong Kong Team A's first medal at the 20th Asian School Tenpin Bowling Championships after finishing second to champion, Qatar.
Al Sada scorched the lanes at SCAA Bowling Centre with a stunning 279 in his opening game as his partner, Al Mansouri added a 256 to give the first Qatari pair a total of 535. Singles gold and bronze medallists, Hideaki Hata and Naoto of Japan rolled 517 totake up second, 18 pins adrift.
The Qatari pair continued their relentless pace reeling in 497 and 486 in their next two games to extend their lead to 131 pins at the helfway mark.
Hong Kong B Team's second pair of Wilson Chan and Derick Yau moved into second spot, 16 pins ahead of Hong Kong A Team's first pair of Alex Yu and Keith Mark. Japan slipped down to fourth after managing only 425 and 408 in games 2 and 3.
Alex Yu and Keith Mark winning the Boy's Doubles silver medal
Al Mansouri rolled the championship's first 300 in the fourth game and with Al Sada adding 222, Qatar stretched their lead even further to 186 pins. The two Hong Kong pairs continued to trail the leader in second and third while Japan remained in fourth.
Qatar ended with 447 and 428 to take the convincing victory with 2915. Yu and Mark ended with 448 and 450 to seal second spot with 2729.
Japan bounced back with 500 in the fifth and 430 in their final game to clinch third spot with 2709 while Chan and Yau fizzled off with 437 and 398 to miss out on the podium with 2689. Singapore A Team's second pair of Isaac Lai and Dylan Teoh completed the top five with 2618.
Hong Kong's other pairs of Ambrose Hon-Owen Ip and debutants, Amen Yuen-Felix Chan could only managed 22nd and 28th positions with 2350 and 2232 respectively.
After two events, Singles gold medallist, Hata led the All-Events standings with 2800 from 12 games contested. Al Mansouri moved into second spot with 2755 while Kanno was placed third with 2724. Mark is placed fourth with 2679, Chan 11th with 2576 and Yu in 15th with 2556.
Boy's Doubles champion, Al Sada and Al Mansouri
The girls will contest their Doubles event after lane dressing later today. Competition will shift to the Team of Four tomorrow over two blocks on three games each. The top 16 boys and top 16 girls based on their All-Events standings (18 games) will qualify for the Masters finals on July 11 and 12.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.
7th July, Hong Kong: A colourful and traditional ceremony graced by Mr Karl C Kwok, MH, Vice President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, marked the opening of the 20th Asian School Tenpin Bowling Championbships held at SCAA Bowling Centre on Sunday.
The ceremony was also attended by Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit Ching, JP, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David Kung, Honorary Life President of HKTBC, Mr Jeff Kong, President of HKTBC, Mr Duffy Wong, BBS, JP, Vice President of SCAA.
Also present were dignitaries and distinguished guests Mrs Helen Shum, Vice Chairman of HKTBC, Dr Trisha Leahy, CEO of HKSI, H.E. Mohammed Sultan Al Kuwari, Consulate General of the State of Qatar, Mr Talal Al Hrbi, Deputy Consul General of Saudi Arabia and Mr Moosa Almaimani, Head of Delegation of Oman Bowling Federation.
Other guests included Mr Bandar Al Shafi, Executive Committee Member of ABF, Mr Alexander Lim, Head of Delegation and Executive Committee Member of ABF, Ms Emba Leung, Hon. Secretary of ABF and HKTBC, Mr Winston Chan, Hon. Auditor of ABF and Dr Danny Santos, Tournament Director.
Guest of Honour, Mr Karl Kwok and distinguished guests dotting the lion's eyes
Mr Eric Lee, emcee for the ceremony, welcomed all present and kick off proceedings by introducing the guests of honour, dignitaries, distinguished guests and Committee Members of ABF before announcing the march past of 14 participating countries.
Speeches started off with the Organizing Chairman, Ms Vivien Lau, BBS, JP, Chairman of HKTBC, Honorary Life President of ABF and Secretary General of World Bowling thanking the guest of honour, generous sponsors and supporting partners for their support of this championship.
She also expressed gratitude to the support and confidence given to HKTBC by Asian Bowling Federation for hosting the championships for the sixth time. Ms Lau also thank the participating countries, especially with the largest-ever turnout of countries from the Middle East, for their support.
Mr Karl Kwok followed by delivering his speech by wishing all the players the best of luck in their quest for glory and to win honours for their countries. Mrs Cherry Tse then concluded the speeches with her message of encouragement and the support of the participating countries.
Natalie Wong and Alex Yu, team members of host nationa, Hong Kong took the athlete oath on behalf of all the players while Leung Yuet Ming, Chief Lane Marshall too the oath on behalf of tournament officials.
Host nation and Team Hong Kong march past during the opening ceremony
A total of 80 boys and 42 girls from 14 countries from Asia will be vying for honours. Four events will be contested consisting of Singles, Doubles, Tean of 4 and Masters Finals. The top 16 boys and top 16 girls based on their standings in the All-Events (after 18 games played) will qualify for the Round-Robin Matchplay Masters finals to be held over two blocks of eight game each.
The top 3 boys and top 3 girls with the highest pinfalls at the end of the Masters finals will procedd to the Stepladder shootout finals. The official practice is scheduled for tomorrow (July 7) followed by the official opening ceremony to be held at SCAA Bowling Centre in the evening followed by a welcome reception.
Competition will kick off with the Singles (July 8), Doubles (July 9), Team of 4 (July 10) and the Masters finals (July 11 and 12) culminating to the Stepladder finals. Only medals won by A Teams will count towards the boys, girls and overall champion title. A victory banquet will also be hosted by HKTBC at KITEC, E-Max in Kowloon Bay on July 12 commencing at 7.00pm local time.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.
6th July, Hong Kong: Eighty boys and fourty-two girls from a total of fourteen countries will be vying for glory at the 20th Asian School Tenpin Bowling Chamnpionships which will be held from July 7 to 12 at SCAA Bowling Centre.
The players were confirmed during the team managers meeting held at the Lecture Theatre, 2nd floor of Olynmpic House, Caroline Hill near the bowling centre. Australia, Kuwait, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and host Hong Kong are fielding two boys teams.
Australia, Philippines and Singapore are also fielding two girls teams while China, Guam, Japan, Macau, Qatar, Chinese Taipei and United Arab Emirates are fielding one boys teams each. Newcomer, Oman has two boys to debut in the championships. Hong Kong, Japan and Chinese Taipei are also fielding one girls team each.
Members of the head table at the meeting
Before the meeting stared, Ms Vivien Lau, Organizing Chairman and World Bowling Secretary General, welcomed the officials to this year's championships and extended her gratitude for the support shown by the federations who have sent their teams.
She also extended her utmost appreciation to Asian Bowling Federation for its support, confidence and endorsement of HKTBC as host of this 20th Asian School Tenpin Bowling Championships. Dr Danny Santos, Tournament Director kicked off the meeting by going through the technical matters pertaining to the championships.
He also introduced members of the head table starting with Mr Frankie Chueng, Host Tournament Coordinator, and members of the Jury of Appeal comprising of Mr Alexander Lim, ABF Executive Committee Member and Mr Winston Chan, ABF Honorary Auditor.
Four events will be contested consisting of Singles, Doubles, Tean of 4 and Masters Finals. The top 16 boys and top 16 girls based on their standings in the All-Events (after 18 games played) will qualify for the Round-Robin Matchplay Masters finals to be held over two blocks of eight game each.
The top 3 boys and top 3 girls with the highest pinfalls at the end of the Masters finals will procedd to the Stepladder shootout finals. The official practice is scheduled for tomorrow (July 7) followed by the official opening ceremony to be held at SCAA Bowling Centre in the evening followed by a welcome reception.
Competition will kick off with the Singles (July 8), Doubles (July 9), Team of 4 (July 10) and the Masters finals (July 11 and 12) culminating to the Stepladder finals.
Ms Vivien Lau welcoming team officials to this year's championships
Only medals won by A Teams will count towards the boys, girls and overall champion title. A victory banquet will also be hosted by HKTBC at KITEC, E-Max in Kowloon Bay on July 12 commencing at 7.00pm local time.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.
30th June, Hong Kong: Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress today launched the 20th Asian School Tenpin Bowling Championships at a press conference to introduce the main sponsors, supporting organizations, partners and members of Team Hong Kong.
The 20th edition of the immensely popular championships for youths under the age of 18 is being hosted by Hong Kong for the sixth time and will be held at the South China Athletic Association’s bowling centre from July 6 to 12, 2019 followed by the 45th Hong Kong International Open Bowling Championships from July 13 to 20, 2019.
The press conference held at Bauhinia Room, Regal Hongkong Hotel, was attended by Mr Pui Kwan Kay, SBS, MH, Vice President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Yeung Tak Keung, JP, Commissioner for Sports of Home Affairs Bureau, Dr Lam Tai-Fai, SBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Sports Institute Limited.
Representatives of the main sponsors, supporting organizations, official partners and official hotels were also present.
Group photo of distinguished guests and Team Hong Kong
The conference kicked off with the introduction of the distinguished guests before the introductory speech by Ms Vivien Lau, BBS, JP, Chairman of HKTBC and Secretary General of World Bowling
Her speech was followed by Mr Pui Kwan Kay, Mr Yeung Tak Keung and Dr Lam Tai-Fai before the introduction of members of Team Hong Kong comprising of team manager, coaches and supporting staff.
Hong Kong will field two boys team and one girls team. Boy's Team A are Ambrose Hon, Alex Yu, Keith Mark and Owen Ip. Boy's Team B are Amen Yuen, Derick Yau, Felix Chan and Wilson Chan while the Girl's Team are Jenny Leung, Melenie Chan, Natalie Wong and Sally Lee.
Members were then invited for questions and answers session. Group photography session followed thereater together with the distinguished guest. At the end of the press conference, HKTBC hosted a lunch reception.
Later in the day, a promotional community activity was held at SCAA Bowling Centre in which the Hong Kong National Elite Team were invited to demonstrate the sport and to conduct coaching clinic to more than 200 including 40 underprivileged children from Po Leung Kuk, 40 students from Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, 100 students from Hong Kong Jockey Club, students from Diocesan Girls' School and Athletes from Paralympic and Special Olympics Hong Kong.
National team members conducting tenpin bowling coaching clinic
This year's championships will receive 80 boys and 42 girls from a total of 14 countries and territories from Asian Zone. The will contest five events, Singles, Doubles, Team of Four, All Events and the prestigious Masters for both divisions.
Photos courtesy of HKTBC.
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