Posts Tagged esther cheah

A 1-2-3 finish for Malaysian bowlers at San Marino Open

Posted by admin in Uncategorized on July 12, 2011

Courtesy of SHAMSHUL FITRI /STAR SPORTS

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian bowlers stormed to a 1-2-3 finish in the San Marino Open bowling championships which ended on Sunday.

Alex Liew won the crown after beating compatriot Adrian Ang in the final.

It was also a good indication for the women’s team who will be heading for the women’s world championships in Hong Kong in September, as Esther Cheah reached the semi-finals, only to lose to Adrian in the mixed men and women event.

She ended up joint third together with the other losing semi-finalist Robert Andersson of Sweden.

Alex, together with Sharon Koh, Sin Li Jane, Zandra Aziela and Zulmazran Zulkifli, were forced to work hard having only qualified for the 36-player first elimination round.

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The Tale of the Lucky and Not-So-Lucky bowler

Posted by admin in 10th Milo International Junior All-Stars on December 20, 2009

The 10th Edition of the MILO International Junior All-Stars saw perfect games from 8 youths aged 23 and under. There were many near misses.

Six of the perfect games were achieved during the Masters Qualifyings (MQs) and two were achieved during the Masters Finals. While the MQs only awarded a daily prize reward of RM1000, the first bowler to achieve a 300 game during the Masters Finals would be rewarded with a cool RM50,000 to take home.

Malaysian youths who bagged the daily 300-High Game awards were Kang Bo Long (Elite Back-Up), Esther Cheah (Elite Squad), and Khoo Beng Khai (National Youth).

Others were Korean youth Woo Sang Young, 18-yrs old Australian Sam Cooley, and 17-yrs old Singaporean Gregory Gan.

18-yrs old Malaysian National Youth member, Aris Ardila, must be the biggest winner in the whole tournament. His 300 game was shot in Game 8 of the Masters Finals. He pocketed RM50,000 for his efforts. Korean youth Jang Hong Jun’s 300 game came a bit too late. He achieved it on Game 9, and so he ended up empty handed.

Two notable near misses came from Kim Sun Woo of Korea who had a day earlier shot a 299 game in the Boys Graded Masters and Malaysian youth Syimir Abd Razak who also shot a 299 game in Game 4 of the Boys Open Finals.

Check out the Tale of the Lucky and Not-So-Lucky bowler.

Better luck next time. Have a great day!

Jonathan

 

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Esther Cheah achieves her dream

Posted by admin in 10th Milo International Junior All-Stars on December 20, 2009

The 10th MILO International Junior All-Stars was to be Esther’s swan song. She will be over aged for next year’s edition. In befitting style, the 2005 World Women Singles Champion had pushed her way up from a fourth placing after a 10-game roll off in the Girls Open Division, to make the stepladder cut. She later edged out second seed Jo Hyun Jung (227-Korea) and third seed Shayna Ng (205-Singapore) with a superb 279 game during the stepladder semi-final to determine the challenger to face top seed Lee Young Im of Korea.

In the steppladder final against Young Im, Esther triumphed with a 198-170 win to force a sudden death game with the Korean. Young Im was unable to stop the Nebraska-Lincoln University psychology undergrad who shot a 217 second game to defeat Young Im’s 198 second game. As top seed, Young Im had two chances to dislodge her challenger.

With Esther’s win, Lee Young Im who had finished on 2382 pinfalls after 10 games (avg 238), had to settle for second placing with Jo Hyun Jung also from Korea in third position. Early leader, Shayna Ng of Singapore finished fourth. Esther took home RM 17,000 for her victory win.

In the Boys Open Division, top seed Kim Jong Wook had a close call with team mate Park Jong Woo when he shot a 212 game and Park replied with a 211 game. However, the 1-pin advantage was all he needed to claim the Boys Open Challenge trophy. Fourth seed Park (254-Korea) had earlier edged out second seed Aloysius Goh (179-Singapore) and third seed Aris Ardila (143-Malaysia) in the stepladder semi-finals to earn his right to challenge top seed Kim for the Championship title and a crack at the RM30,000 prize money.

Kim Jong Wook had earlier finished with a total 2412 pinfalls averaging 241.20 in the Boys Masters Finals. With Koreans dominating the Boys Open Division, Aloysius Goh of Singapore had to settle for third placing and Aris Ardila Of Malaysia finished on fourth position.

In the Boys Graded Division, Choi Tae Seung and Kim Soon Woo made it a 1-2 finish for Korea. Third position went to Jason Syow of Malaysia. The Masters Finals saw a keen tussle between the top two Koreans throughout with Choi finishing strongly with games of 269 and 259  averaging 240.30 (10-games) to shut out his team mate who shot commendable games of 231 and 223. Although Jason finished strongly with a high 277 game to pip another Malaysian youth, Muhd Aizudeen, it was not enough. He finished 141 pinfalls behind Choi and 111 pinfalls behind Kim.

Final position standings: Choi Tae Seung-Champion (2403); Kim Sun Woo-2nd (2373); Jason Syow-3rd (2262).

The top ten position standings saw a good mix of Koreans, Singaporeans and Malaysians in the fray. But it’s a totally different story in the Girls Graded Division.

In the Girls Graded Division, it was an all-Korean affair. Top five placings went to Korea. Malaysian youth Victoria Chin was the spoiler when she claimed her stake in the sixth position only to see the Korean girls dominating the next three positions with another Malaysian youth, Selva Nivashini making up the top ten positions. The intersting part here is all 8 Korean qualifiers were in the top ten…an interesting poser to our youth development?

Final position standings: Kim Kyung Sil-Champion (2091); Kang Soo Jim-2nd (2066); Kim Yeo Jin-3rd (2025).

In the Boys 15 & Under Division, Singaporeans dominated the top three positions with Malaysian youth Qalif Adnor tied in third place with Alexander Tan. Jaris Tan finished on 1733 pinfalls averaging 216.63 (8 games). There were 10 Singaporean youths in the field of 18 youths who qualified for the finals.

Final position standings: Jaris Goh-Champion (1733); Ryan Wee-2nd (1727); Alexander Tan (1684)/Qalif Adnor (1684)-3rd.

In the Girls 15 & Under Division, Malaysian youth Selva Nivashini bowled well to capture her first All-Stars title with a 209.13 average (8 games). Second position went to another Malaysian youth, Nur Fatimah and Stacy Lian of Singapore came in third. Although there were 12 Singaporeans in the total field of 18 qualifiers, position standings were spread out.

Final position standings: Selva Nivashini-Champion (1673); SH Nur Fatimah-2nd (1666); Stacy Lian-3rd (1640).

In the Boys 12 & Under Division, two Malaysian boys ruled the lanes. Muhammad Qayyum ruled supreme with 1512 pinfalls over 8 games (189 avg). Finishing second was another Malaysian youth, Muhammad Rafiq Ismail and coming in close was Chong Tai Wei of Singapore.

Final position standings: Muhammad Qayyum-Champion (1512); Muhammad Rafiq Ismail-2nd (1503); Chong Tai Wei-3rd (1498).

In the Girls 12 & Under Division, Faten Najihah of Malaysia averaged 186 to claim her first All-Stars title followed closely by Rena Ng of Singapore and another Malaysian, Nur Amirah Auni in third position.

Final position standings: Faten Najihah-Champion (1488); Rena Ng Yan Ling-2nd (1469); Nur AmirahAuni-3rd (1388).

For more detailed scores, please go to MTBC official website: http://www.mtbc.org.my/

For more stories and photos please go to my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ABC-To-Bowling/53315535453

Have a great day

Jonathan

 

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Shalin is ready for showdown with Maxine Nable

Posted by admin in Main Content on July 8, 2009

Wednesday July 8, 2009

By RAJES PAUL

KUALA LUMPUR: The old rivalry between Shalin Zulkifli and Maxine Nable of Australia is expected to heat up in the women’s world championships, which will be held in Las Vegas from July 25-Aug 2.

Although they are good friends, Shalin and Maxine have been out to outdo each other in competitions since their days as juniors.

And the battle has now taken a new height with both trying to make a name for themselves as professional bowlers.

The 31-year-old Shalin said that she was looking forward to bowling alongside Maxine for the first time in the world championships as professionals.

“Some of the bowlers from my batch turned professional much earlier. With the decision to allow pros to compete in the world championships for the first time, it will be interesting to see how we fare,” said Shalin.

“Nable and I are good friends but I am looking forward to renewing our rivalry in the world championships.”

Shalin turned pro last year while Maxine has been in the business for almost 10 years.

Although a quiet battle between Shalin and Nable has been ongoing, the pinnacle of a showdown between Malaysia and Australia took place at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Then, Australia had banked on Nable and several other top guns, among them Cara Honeychurch and Ann Maree-Putney, to silence the Malaysian challenge.

This time, Australia will not have their Commonwealth Games star performer, Honeychurch, who won three gold medals, at the world championships but Shalin still has not ruled them out as main challengers.

Besides Nable and Maree-Putney, the others in the Australian team are Carol Gianotti, Bianca Flanagan, Kara Triulcio and Natalie Shelley.

Shalin said that Nable would not be the only one from her batch who would be out to impress at the world championships.

She has also rub shoulders with Stephanie Nations of the United States in her younger days.

“Maxine, Stephanie and I are bowlers from the same era. We know what we are capable of doing since our junior days. I foresee an exciting time ahead in the world championships,” said Shalin.

Besides Shalin, the others in the Malaysian team are Esther Cheah, Wendy Chai, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi and Sharon Koh.

Except for debutant Siti, all the others were member of the team who won the gold medal in the previous championships in Mexico two years ago.

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ESTHER CHEAH - A World Champion

Posted by admin in Main Content on January 17, 2009

 Esther had agreed to an interview with Ivy when she was back home for her semester break, but due to unforseen circumstances, it did not take place. Nevertheless, this excerpt from ‘The New Straits Times’ should be just as good.

2009/01/18

SUNDAY GUEST WITH ESTHER CHEAH: Stepping into the unknown is a challenge I relish

                                                                                                                                      

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TO tell you the truth, I will be in unknown territory when I don my university colours for the men’s team in collegiate tournaments.

Of course I’m really excited but also slightly worried. I don’t really know what to expect and the format of play will also be foreign to me.

However, it’s a challenge I’m ready to take. In fact, I’m determined to make a name for myself when it starts.

But the stint is not all about improving my skills and game, it’s also about keeping my diet and fitness in check.

I have to admit I’ve gained a bit of weight off late, and I need to lose some kilogrammes.
During my recent semester break in Kuala Lumpur, I spent a bit of time at the National Sports Institute where I received treatment for my recurring back injury.

I was also given a comprehensive diet and fitness programme to guide me through here (US).

I need to follow both programmes strictly as it’s part of the preparation for the Women’s World Championships in July (Las Vegas).

Anyway, I was spotted by David Kilts, the coach of my university’s men’s team, last August when I was going through routine training at the Sun Valley Lanes Centre which is a 10-minute drive from my hostel.

Kilts was impressed with the way I bowled and he initially invited me to represent his own club for the centre’s (Sun Valley) weekend league.

As time went by, he decided that I should play for the university men’s team and this offer came somewhere last October, just before I left for the World Ranking Masters in Mexico. Of course I agreed.

The men’s inter-university season is ongoing and I should be making my debut very soon.

The stint is timely as it’s a world championships year, and bowling with the boys will definitely build my confidence. It will also give me the opportunity to learn more about the American game.

It may be something new for me but in the US, it’s a norm for men and women bowlers to compete under one umbrella tournament.

The regional tournaments follow the same concept. I played in one of them last year and I was surprised at the large number of women competing against men in the event. I did not do too well as it was my first try.

My acceptance into the men’s team also ends all my struggles in the US, which I had to endure since 2006.

Arrangements were initially made for me by the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) that I would study and also bowl at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln but upon arriving, I was told that I was barred from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s tournaments due to my professional status in Malaysia.

I appealed several times and while awaiting an answer, I was allowed to train with the university’s women’s team.

But the NCAA refused to budge from its decision and that’s when, just before the 2007 Korat Sea Games, I decided to train and compete on my own.

It was tough training on my own without any guidance as I always had my father and national coach Holloway Cheah or other coaches by my side.

I kept in touch with my dad online and he would give me tips and advice on my game.

It was not the same as compared to having him around but I knew I had no choice but to adapt with the arrangement.

However, despite the shortcoming I managed three gold medals in Korat and also a gold in last year’s Asian Championships.

My goal for this year is of course to help Malaysia successfully defend the world title in the team event in Las Vegas and also try qualify for the Professional Bowlers’ Association (PBA) women’s tour.

It will be extremely tough this time at the world meet as professional bowlers will make their appearance for the first time.

Of course the United States will emerge with a stronger team as they will have professionals to rely on.

As for turning professional, I will need to compete in the women’s tour qualifiers. It will be my second try after failing to make the cut last season.

Generally, I have a lot more to learn and achieve in the game and despite my achievements, I am hungry for more.

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Esther is a two-time world champion with a long line of credentials to her name. Expect a lot more achievements from this very talented young bowler.

Till next time…happy bowling.

Jonathan

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