21st January, Bangkok: icky Yeung, Rickle Kam and Lau Kwun Ho kept themselves in the hunt for Hong Kong's first medal at the 23rd Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships after third in the Men's Trios second squad and sixth overall.
The trio of Yeung, Kam and Lau posted a 3-game combined total of 1938 in the second squad, 81 pins behind the squad leader, Thailand and just 8 pins behind Malaysia in second.
Doubles gold medalist, Park Jong Woo led his Korean team-mates and Doubles bronze and silver medalists, Shin Seung Hyeon and Hong Hae Sol topped Squad A to lead a field of 42 with 2142. Thailand finished second with 2019, 133 pins adrift.
The trio of Saudi Arabia claimed third spot with 1950 while Malaysia and China ended ahead of Hong Kong 1946 and 1943. Hong Kong is only 12 pins behind third-placed Saudi Arabia and there are seven trios that can finish in the podium.
Second trio of Wicky Yeung, Rickle Kam and Lau Kwun Ho
The first Hong Kong trio of Eric Tseng, Wu Siu Hong and Michael Mak failed to ignite and ended the day in 17th position with 1864, 86 pins adrift the Saudis in fourth.
In the women's trios event, Singapore's second trio of New Hui Fen, Joey Yeo and Geraldine Ng topped the field of 24 with 1900 ahead of the first Korean trio of Jung Da Wun, Jeon Eun Hee and Son Yun Hee in second with 1873.
Indonesia's second trio finished third with 1863 followed by the first Japanese trio in fourth and their compatriots completing the top 5.
Hong Kong's Joan Cheng, Chan Shuk Han and Milki Ng failed to make any headway settling for 15th position with 1739, 124 pins off third-placed Indonesia.
The remaining two Hong Kong women had to bowl with a bowler from Kazakhstan in the makeup team just to complete their all events. The women will resume with their second block tomorrow morning while the men, divided into two squads in the after and evening.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.
First trio of Wu Siu Hong, Michael Mak and Eric Tseng
15th January, Bangkok: A colourful opening ceremony held at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin marks the return of the 23rd Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships to the capital city of Thailand which last hosted the championship in 2004.
The opening ceremony saw teams from 22 teams from member federations of the Asian Bowling Federation marchpast graced by His Honourable, Mrs Kobkarn Suritasat Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sport of Thailand.
Also present were H.E. Sheikh Talal Mohamed Al-Sabah, President of Asian Bowling Federation, Mr Kevin Dornberger, President of World Bowling and FIQ, Mr Chanyut Hengtrakool, President of Thai Tenpin Bowling Association and Ms Vivien Lau, Honorary Life President of ABF and World Bowling Secretary General.
Other dignitaries included Executive Committee members of ABF, Mr Addie Ophelders, President of the European Bowling Federation, Presidents and Vice Presidents of ABF Member federations, representatives of Embassies in Thailand, sponsors and distiguished guests.
22 countries parade during the official opening ceremony
Emcees, Mr Attaphon Chaisiri and Ms Chawanlak Direkwattananukul kicked off proceedings by introducing the dignitaries and distinguished guests. They then introduced the Buu Chorus from the Department of Music Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts from the Burapha University which sang the Thai national anthem.
The marching band from Attawit Commercial Technology College together with the flag bearers of the participating countries marched past followed by the teams from Bahrain, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, United Arab Emirates and host, Thailand.
Mr Chanyut Hengtrakool, President of Thai Tenpin Bowling Association, on behlaf of the Organizing Committee, welcomed the dignitaries, distinguished guests, officials and teams and thanked the countries for participating in this championship.
H.E. Sheikh Talal Mohamed Al-Sabah, President of Asian Bowling Federation also expressed appreciation to the participating countries in his speech that followed. Mr Kevin Dornberger, President of World Bowling and FIQ thanked the hard-working committee members under the leadership of Ms Suwalai Satrulee, secretary general of TTBA in making sure of the success and smooth running of the championship.
Mrs Kobkarn Suritasat Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sport of Thailand, in her speech, welcomed the dignitaries, distinguished guests, officials and teams to amazing Thailand and hoped that they will bring back fond memories after the championships.
HRH Sheikh Talal speech during the opening
She subquently officially declared the championships open before the Buu Chorus sang the Thai national anthem to mark the opening. The dignitaries and guests were also entertained by the first show - a traditional dance called Fon Khan Dok aiming at worshipping the Buddha monk.
The second show was called the Tarikipas - a widespread dance popularised by the Muslim from the southern part of Thailand. The last show called Taiko Drum Show performed by Ongsasipa Group led by Mr Napassakorn Midaim.
The championships will commence with the official practice tomorrow. There will be five events altogether - Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team of 5 and the Masters. The competition will kick off with the Singles for women and men on January 17 and 18.
The Doubles will be contested on January 19 and 20. The Trios event will be held over two blocks of three games each on January 21 and 22 and the Team of 5 over two blocks of three games each on January 23 and 24.
The top 16 men and top 16 women in the All Events standings (24 games played) will qualify for the Masters finals which will be played over two blocks of 8 games each on January 25 and 26. The top 3 men and top 3 women will advance to the stepladder grand finals.
The particiating countries will be vying for a total of 12 gold medals, 6 for men and 6 for women. Team managers' meeting will be held at Chaophya Park Hotel later this evening to finalise the players and conduct the lane draw.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.
| Back |