Strong finish propels Malaysians to the women's title in Hong Kong Asian Championships

Esther Cheah and Shalin Zulkifli from Malaysia (l-r with Esther's father, head coach Holloway Cheah) beat their Korean rivals en route to win the gold medal in women's Doubles in the 20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships Sunday at Hong Kong Bowling City.

The Malaysian top stars, who both turned professional earlier this year to be able to compete on the PBA Tour in the United States, finished their six-game block on long oil with games of 494, 478 and 429 (1401) to win the event with 2699 pinfall total and an average of 224.92. Esther felled 1373 (228.83) pins and Shalin contributed 1326 (221.00) pins.

"It was just the other way round from yesterday," said Esther Cheah, a 3-time world champion, "the Koreans did well on long oil but this time Shalin and I bowled extraordinary, especially the last three games. We didn't care about the other results. We were concentrating on our game and enjoyed it."

Trailing the champions by 98 pins to finish in second place were Jeon Eun-Hee, who rolled a 300 game in Singles yesterday, and Gye Min-Young from Korea with 2601. (216.75). The bronze medal went to Chinese spinners Chen Dongdong and Wu Suqin, who checked in with 2572 (214.33).

Places 4 and 5 belonged to Korea, which took the first four spots in Singles yesterday. Defending champions Kim Yeau-Jin and Hwang Sun-Ok, Korea, who led the field of 30 doubles at halfway point, missed the bronze medal by three pins due to the sole sub-par team game in the sixth (385) to finish fourth with 2569.

Choi Jin-A and Gang Hye-Eun, Korea were another 47 pins behind in fifth with 2522.

Jeon-Eun Hee overtook the lead in All Events after 12 of 24 games with 2783 pinfall total and an average of 231.92. Esther Cheah is mere 13 pins behind in second place followed by three Koreans, Hwang Sun-Ok, Choi Jin-A and Kim Yeau-Jin. The other Koreans Gang Hye-Eun and Gye Min-Young sit in 8th and 11th place.

The women are done for today and will return on Monday morning 9am fort he first block of Trios on long oil and on Monday afternoon fort he first block of the five-player team event on short oil.


Women's Doubles - Final Standings
Women's All Events after 12 games