Bowler Jun Foo finishes third in Jakarta

PETALING JAYA: Former Asian Youth champion Chong Jun Foo wants to reignite his bowling career again after finishing third in the inaugural Jaya Ancol Singles Championship.

The 24- year- old Sarawakian went down 188-247 to homester Hardy Rachmadian in the semi-final at the Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre in Jakarta yesterday.

Jun Foo, who trains with the Sarawak state team, could still hold his head up high as he was the best performer out of the 14 Malaysian finalists, including eight national team members, in the 45-player contest.

“I wanted the win badly after finishing fourth in Sarawak Open last week but a third place is still not bad after all,” said Jun Foo, who stopped bowling to start up a business in 2013.

“I have been more active (play- ing) lately now that my business is more established.

“I’m slowly making my way back into the sport and I hope to do well in upcoming tournaments.”

Jun Foo qualified for the seven-player stepladder-finals in second place after knocking down a 10-game total of 2,162 in the first round.

He was joined by Selangor state bowler Azizi Naim, who came in fourth with 2,121 pinfalls.

Thailand’s Yannaphon Larpapharat ruled the roll-off by posting a 2,216 total while the other three spots were filled by Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Al Shaikh, Hong Kong’s Joshua Chow and Indonesia’s Hardy Rachmadian.

Hardy could only manage 2,046 for 15th spot but the last berth went to him by virtue of being the best local finisher outside the top six.

Hardy made the most of his chances to go all the way to the final before his gallant run was ended by Yannaphon.

The Thai, who became the first US PBA Tour champion from his country, outplayed Hardy 232-195.