Watch out for a Wendy upset

07/09/2002

THE national bowlers fared badly in the 1998 Asian Games in Thailand, but
they have been improving steadily since and Busan is expected to be more
lucrative for them.
Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) secretary Sidney Tung is
confident they will return from Korea with more than just a bronze.
In Thailand `98 only Sarah Yap won a bronze medal while the rest could
do nothing right.
"We will return with more than a bronze from Busan because they team has
been improving steadily. But then again, in bowling one cannot predict the
outome until the last game because so much depends on the mental strength
of individuals," said Sidney.
To beef up the 12-strong squad, which has two rookies in Zulmazran
Zulkifli and Sharon Chai, MTBC has again brought in bowling consultant
Bill Hall who was with the national team during the 1998 Kuala Lumpur
Commonwealth Games and last year's Sea Games.
The American said he will focus on increasing the ball-carrying
percentage and will also assess the physical condition of the bowlers.
At the moment, the bowlers are training at the Shah Alam Megalanes
because the oiling pattern is the same as the Homeplus Asiad Bowling
Alley, venue for the Asian Games.
Chief coach Holloway Cheah's main problem with the bowlers is their
"carrying of the balls".
And Hall, a specialist in ball drilling, is trying to rectify the
situation fast. His expertise played a key role in uplifting the
performance of the keglers in previous assignments.
"With Hall on our side, we have no worries about the equipment because
he is the best in his field. Now, we only need to worry about the
competition," said Sidney.
Hosts Korea will be gunning for the lion's share of the 10 gold medals
at stake, but Sidney feels that the Philippines and Taiwan have good
bowlers too.
While the more experienced Shalin Zulkifli will again be looked upon to
bag a singles medal, Wendy Chai will be on a mission of her own.
Wendy, 25, has been bowling for the past 10 years but she has yet to
land an individual medal in an official tournament.
But she has been playing a great role in the team events - supporting
Shalin, Lai Kin Ngoh and Sarah Yap.
"My target is to win an individual medal in Korea. I have been with the
national team for nine years, but have yet to win an individual medal at
an official tournament," said Wendy.
Wendy has medals from the time she was with national youth squad - gold
from the 1999 World FIQ Youth Championship and gold and bronze at the FIQ
Asian Youth Championship in 1998 and 1999 respectively.
With the senior team she won the team gold and trio's bronze at the 2001
Sea Games and last month, the team gold at the Asian Championships in Hong
Kong, where she came closest to winning an individual medal when she
finished fifth in the Masters final.
So watch out for a Wendy upset in the Asian Games.
(END)