Thailand and Malaysia share the medals in SEA Games Doubles event

The men and women doubles from the host country Thailand and from Malaysia dominated the Doubles competition in the 24th Southeast Asian Games at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok, Thailand. The Thai bowlers earned one gold and two silver medals while the Malaysians bagged one gold and two bronze medals.

In the men's division, Phoemphun Yakasem (1302) and Annop Aromsaranon (1219) combined for 2521 pinfall total and an average of 210.08 to win the gold medal. They topped their team mates Somjed Kusonpithak (1196) and Yannaphon Larp-apharat (1307), who earned the silver medal with 2503, by 18 pins thanks to a 437 to 393 in the final game.

Zulmazran Zulkifli, Malaysia, won his second bronze medal after the Singles event yesterday when he teamed with Aaron Kong to finish with 2464 pinfall total. Their compatriots Adrian Ang and Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan landed in fourth place with 2435, followed by the third Thai duo, Surasak Manuwong and Badin Lertpiriyasakulkit, in fifth place with 2399.

Singles champ Shaun Ng Qenn and Remy Ong, Singapore finished sixth with 2358.

Women's gold medalists Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman were the sole women's team which managed a 200 average. The Malaysians totaled 2438 pins, an average of 203.17 per game. Cheah led the way with 1238 and Iman added 1200. All Photos: SF Strike Bowl Ramkamhaeng

Singles runner-up Angkana Netrviseth won her second silver medal with tam mate Saowapha Kunaksorn. The Thai checked in with 2387 and an average of 198.92. Shalin Zulkifli claimed her second bronze medal when she finished in third place with Siti Safiyah Amirah at 2322.

The success of the Malaysian team comes short after Malaysian newspapers have opened with headlines such as "Malaysians barred from practice" and "Bowlers Upset Not Allowed To Practise".

Bowlingdigital has asked former FIQ General Secretary, Dr. Danny Santos, Philippines, who is the Technical Delegate for the 24th SEA Games Bowling Competition, for his opinion.

Here is his statement:

"Prior to the day of the official practice, the bowling center opened starting at 1 p.m. because of the renovation being done to the center. This renovation includes the SEA Games organizers decorating the venue and checking the venue for any last minute repairs that they need to do before opening the venue to the delegates. The countries, who came here early, were not banned from entering the bowling center at all. They were allowed to enter at 1 p.m. to practice. So contrary to the report, the teams did practice at the venue.

"Aside from allowing them to practice at the venue with the official oiling pattern laid out, the host country decided to give two hours of official practice instead of one hour because they wanted to give equal chances to the teams who arrived only in time for the official practice.

"In the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar and in the Asian Indoor Games in Macau, both times the bowling center did not open for the teams until the day of the official practice. There is nothing wrong with this practice as long as two days of official practice are given for the tournament as written in the WTBA rule book."

All players will return on Monday for the men's and women's Trios event with the first block of 3 games on the long oil and the second block on short oil.


Singles Results

Doubles Results