New comes up short in final
National bowler finishes second in world singles c'ships, Shayna tied for third
Three strikes at the end, and Singapore bowler New Hui Fen would have become a world champion last night.
Alas, the 24-year-old managed to down nine pins in her first attempt in the final frame of the women's final against American Kelly Kulick at the World Bowling Singles Championships in Doha last night.
At the sidelines, Kulick hugged her coach in celebration, knowing that New's remaining two throws were inconsequential, and she had beaten the Singaporean 214-195.
"I was very nervous during the start of the final because I knew that I was bowling against Kelly," said New, who had only two strikes in the first six frames in the final.
"It was only towards the end that I was less nervous and got my flow back. I could have done better if I had taken my time in the first six frames, and put the pressure on Kelly."
Her teammate Shayna Ng clinched a joint-bronze with American Shannon Pluhowsky, after both exited the semi-finals, losing to Kulick and New respectively.
"I hadn't been bowling too well (the entire competition)... (during the semi-finals) the left lane was challenging and I didn't make adjustments quickly enough," said Ng, 27, who lost 216-172 to Kulick in the semi-finals.
"Considering that this was the first time all of us, including the Americans, are playing an unfamiliar competition format, I must say that it was a decent outing for us.
"It's also been a great year for Singapore."
Also, Marcus Kiew exited the men's competition at the first stage, while Muhd Jaris Goh failed to progress past the second stage.
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