Kerkow’s success is laid bare again
AFTER a distinguished career in bowls, Kelvin Kerkow has become the second bowler inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.
Kerkow joins fellow Commonwealth Games singles gold medallist Rob Parrella on the exclusive list.
After first representing Queensland in 1989 as a 19year-old, Kerkow went on to play a record 377 games for the state until 2014.
He made his debut for Australia in 1994 and played 320 games until retiring in 2006 as the third highest capped player in history.
This was following his greatest victory in the 2006 Commonwealth Games singles in Melbourne, where he is still famous for ripping his shirt off on TV after winning the final. Other highlights include three World Indoor pairs titles.
He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and the Order of Australia Medal in 2010.
He still plays competitively at club level and invitational tournaments, including recently winning the State Champion of Club Champion fours and state pennant titles.
From being a healthy eight-year-old living on a peanut arm near Wondai, Kerkow was struck down with Guillain Barre Syndrome, a form of paralysis, and spent three months in intensive care on life support.
After being in a wheelchair and long stints in hospital, the determination he showed to be able to walk properly again and then to become one of the best bowlers in the world is amazing. Due to this, Kerkow uses a walking stick to assist him when playing bowls, a well-known trademark that has stuck with him.
Joining him at the presentation were his parents, sisters, wife and sons, all of whom played a part in his success. Burleigh’s Jake Fehlberg was a finalist in the Queensland Athlete with a Disability of the Year award for the second year running.
This was won by sailor Chelseann Osborne.
■ THE Jackaroos pulled off a clean sweep against New Zealand in the trans-Tasman series, winning the open, development and over-60s trophies in men and women.
The Jackaroos then took on the “Rest of the World” in the inaugural World Bowls Challenge.
After 21 games of various disciplines and genders, Australia needed to win one set in the final match-up of Karen
Murphy versus Jo Edwards.
In her final game for Australia, Murphy won the final set 6-1 to claim victory.
■ AUSTRALIAN championships started yesterday in Merimbula, NSW, and continues each day with a different discipline on show until it finishes on Friday.