Bo Long proves a point
KANG Bo Long does not have a coach and only trains four times a week but despite the limitations, the 31-year-old won the men’s Open title at the National Championships in Bandar Sunway yesterday.
Natasha Roslan blazed the lanes in the women’s Open as she continued her fine form from the recent Inter-State Championships to retain her crown.
Bo Long, who was dropped from the national back-up squad in 2010, started the day by topping the Masters round with a 10game total of 2,259 pinfalls, averaging 225.90, to qualify for the stepladder finals.
In the first match of the stepladder finals, former national youth bowler and second seed Johnathan Chan defeated third seed Adrian Ang 242-198 to earn a crack at the title.
In the final, Bo Long recovered from splits in the opening two frames to edge Jonathan 172-154 on long oil for his second national title after 2011.
Bo Long earned RM7,000 for his efforts while Johnathan received RM3,000.
“I was nervous and had two opening splits. I told myself to calm down…luckily, Johnathan was also making mistakes,” said Bo Long, who also won last year’s Milo Masters.
“It was humid during the final and things were very difficult. I train three or four times a week.
“I do not have a coach to guide me. I also supplement my own equipment. Winning here is a fantastic achievement.”
On whether he is considering making a comeback to the national team, Bo Long said he will look into it if there is a serious offer from the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC).
Bo Long’s win is a sign that the national bowlers must now buck up for the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August.
Natasha, who topped the Masters round with a 2,256 total, defeated national youth member Nur Amirah Auni Azman 207204 for the women’s crown.
In the first match of the stepladder finals, Nur Amirah overcame former national bowler Alisha Iman Cheong 191-178.
Natasha, 22, received RM3,000 while Nur Amirah earned RM1,500.
“Long oil is not my favourite pattern but I kept myself composed today and tried my best.
“I still need to work a lot on my game. I need to improve my ball release and timing,” said Natasha, who won the world youth Masters gold in Nebraska last year. Ajitpal Singh