Latest news with #ProfessionalWomen'sBowlingAssociation
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Finding her own lane
Miss Independent: National bowler Natasha Roslan going through her paces during training at Sunway Megalanes. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star PETALING JAYA: Many struggle to be independent but bowler Natasha Roslan has learnt to strike out on her own. It's all thanks to her recent outing in the the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Aaron-Wooi Yik, Bonnie heading a stellar cast for SAM-100Plus award
Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) president Norismadi Abd Manap (second from right). KUALA LUMPUR: Paris Olympic Games bronze medalists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are one of the frontunners to win the best athletes award at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100Plus annual ceremony. The shuttlers will be strongly challenged by equally impressive nominees tower runner Soh Wai Ching, bowler Sin Li Jane, wushu expert Tan Cheong Min and lawn bowler Farah Ain Abdullah. Wai Ching is the undisputed king in tower run, winning several international titles while Li Jane dominated the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour by winning four titles last year, including the prestigious US Open title. Farah won gold at the World Championships at the Channel Islands and Cheong Min triumphed at Macau Asian Championships. Earlier this year, world No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik had won the best male athlete of the year during the national award in April. As for the title of the best para athlete, there will be keen competition between two contenders – shuttler Cheah Liek Hou and powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin. Liek Hou retained his singles gold in Paris while Bonnie broke the world record en route to defending his gold. The other candidates are Ziyad Zolkefli (F20 shot put), Latif Romly (T20 long jump) and Eddy Bernard (T44 sprint). Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM), Norismadi Abd Manap said the winners of both main athlete awards will each receive RM10,000 in cash and a trophy at the awards ceremony, at Sunway Resort Hotel on July 14. "The 2024 SAM-100Plus awards will also recognise excellence in sports journalism through six categories: best report-news (print media), best report-news (electronic media), best commentary (print media), best commentary (electronic media), best special report (Open), and best sports photography," he said at a press conference on Tuesday (July 1). Norismadi also announced that the SAM leadership unanimously agreed to increase the cash prize for the top journalism award, the Siebel award, from RM7,000 to RM10,000. The cash prize for the popular sports commentator award has also been increased to RM3,000 from RM2,000 previously.
Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Singapore bowler New Hui Fen wins third PWBA Tour title with BowlTV Open victory
Singapore's New Hui Fen (left) pipped teammate Cherie Tan (right) to the Professional Women's Bowling Association BowlTV Open on May 31. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BOWLING FEDERATION SINGAPORE – A familiar showdown unfolded at the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) BowlTV Open in the US on May 31, as Singaporeans New Hui Fen and Cherie Tan faced off in the title match. It was a rematch of last year's BowlTV Classic final, where Tan emerged victorious. But New did not let that defeat weigh her down. Keeping her focus firmly on the present at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights, Ohio, she defeated top seed Tan 233-206 pinfalls to lift her third career PWBA title. The 33-year-old said: 'I'm feeling very happy. I haven't gotten the time to process the win fully yet. For now, it means that my hard work has paid off. 'My focus during the match was on the ball motion I had on the lanes – it is me against the lanes and my scores versus my opponent. I will give my best regardless who I compete against.' After finishing fifth in qualifying with a 2,811 total, New finished the two matchplay rounds with a 9-3 record, securing the second seed in the stepladder finals. In the semi-finals, New faced off against American Shannon Pluhowsky, the fourth seed, who had defeated the fifth-seeded Jordan Snodgrass (225-213) and third seed Kelly Kulick (211-171). Edging out Pluhowsky 224-217, New advanced to the championship match, setting up an all-Singaporean contest for the title. While the match started evenly with both bowlers making three strikes in the first four frames, it was New who pulled ahead to pip Tan for the trophy and the US$10,000 (S$12,900) winner's cheque. Tan earned US$5,000 as first runner-up. Reflecting on the tournament, New said: 'I was consistent throughout qualifying and matchplay. I had to really make quick and sharp decisions during matchplay to keep striking as the scores were high for everyone.' New's win in Ohio comes less than a year after her previous PWBA Tour victory – the Greater Detroit Open in August 2024. She was also fifth at the season-ending 2024 PWBA Tour Championship. She credited the support from Singapore Bowling Federation (SBF) and the Sport Excellence Scholarship for her recent performances, adding that strength and conditioning, and recovery are aspects she has focused on. She noted that competing on the PWBA Tour and working with technical consultant Shawn Ryan have also improved her tactical understanding. Playing alongside her teammates has also helped. She said: 'We will share information about the lanes and how to best play each different condition – we learn and grow with each other.' New's title is the second one by a Singaporean in the 2025 PWBA Tour. In May, Shayna Ng won the Go Bowling Topeka Open for her third career PWBA victory. SBF president Valerie Teo hailed New's achievement, commending her composure, discipline and skill during the stepladder finals. She said New and Ng's back-to-back successes, on top of Darren Ong's PBA triumph just a month earlier, are 'compelling evidence of our athletes' ability to compete and win, at the highest levels of the sport'. 'They affirm Singapore's growing reputation as a rising force in international bowling,' she said. With the PWBA Rock 'n' Roll Open, Bowlers Journal Waterloo Open and US Women's Open remaining in the Singaporeans' campaign, Teo is excited to see what they can accomplish. More than trophies, she also hopes the experience will benefit up-and-coming bowlers like Arianne Tay, who finished ninth at the BowlTV Open. She said: 'We look forward to seeing how this tour continues to foster growth and not just in results, but also in mentorship and development as younger bowlers gain experience and guidance from senior teammates.' Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
New Hui Fen emerges as front runner for PWBA Player of the Year award after US Women's Open win
New Hui Fen won her third PWBA title of 2025 by clinching the PWBA US Women's Open on June 18. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BOWLING FEDERATION New Hui Fen emerges as front runner for PWBA Player of the Year award after US Women's Open win SINGAPORE – Entering the US Women's Open stepladder finals as the lowest-ranked seed, Singapore bowler New Hui Fen knew the odds were stacked against her. But focusing on her 'intention behind each shot', the fifth seed toppled all four bowlers ranked above her en route to clinching one of the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) tour's major titles for the first time and the winner's Green Jacket. New, who ended with 11 consecutive strikes in the title-decider, proved too strong for American top seed Jordan Snodgrass, prevailing 290-188 to bag the US$60,000 (S$77,100) top prize on June 18. Calling her third PWBA title of the season her best career achievement yet, the 33-year-old said: 'I'm very happy that I've been able to perform consistently this year. 'It feels really great, especially since all the (oiling) patterns were so hard. It feels like a good affirmation that my hard work is paying off.' New's success at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, Nebraska, which comes after her BowlTV Open and Rock 'n' Roll Open victories on May 31 and June 2 respectively, positions her as the front runner for the PWBA Player of the Year Award . However, she is not getting carried away. 'It's not over yet. There's still a few more competitions to go,' said New, citing the Aug 5-12 PWBA Tour Championship Week, which comprises three events, culminating in the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship. 'I know I will give it my best shot to perform consistently to be able to have a shot at winning it (Player of the Year),' she added. At one stage, though, victory in Nebraska had looked like a long shot. She finished joint-19th with a 6,388 pinfall total after 32 qualifying games to advance to the match-play stage, along with teammate Shayna Ng (6,374), who just made the top-24 cut. After the first of two match-play rounds, New rose to second . But she slipped to fifth in the third round , just enough for her to squeeze into the stepladder finals as the only non-American. Ng finished ninth. While New's chances of winning were slim, as she needed to overcome the four opponents ahead of her in a 10-frame, single-game stepladder format, she maintained a positive outlook. When asked if she felt she had stood a chance as the fifth seed, New said: 'I think everyone had a chance of winning. I was (just) focusing on the intention behind each shot, making sure it's the correct release and with flow.' Maryssa Carey was the first to fall as she was beaten 246-189 by New. The Singaporean then defeated Crystal Elliott 228-183. Halfway through, New realised that 'there was a high chance I could win'. She bested second seed Lauren Russo 262-174 to set up a showdown with Snodgrass, who had won the previous event, the Bowlers Journal Waterloo Open on June 7 . New, who pipped Snodgrass 245-244 in the semi-finals of the Rock 'n' Roll Open, prevailed by a bigger margin against the 2023 PWBA Player of the Year this time as she also set a record. Her four-game stepladder total of 1,026 pinfalls was the highest since the relaunch of the PWBA Tour in 2015 – eclipsing American Bryanna Cote's tally of 1,022 from the 2022 BVL Classic. New's fifth title and second Major triumph, after the 2016 PWBA Tour Championship, means she has met the minimum criteria to be inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame once she turns 50. This would make her the first Singaporean to achieve that feat. New was ecstatic to have the opportunity to be among esteemed company, saying: 'I never thought that at age 33 I would be eligible for the Hall of Fame. When I think of the Hall of Fame, I think of Leanne Hulsenberg and Liz Johnson.' Singapore Bowling Federation (SBF) president Valerie Teo was full of praise, saying: 'Hui Fen is not just making history, she's inspiring a generation. It demonstrates her exceptional talent, unwavering focus and relentless drive. 'This is a proud and unforgettable moment for Singapore bowling and we are behind her every step of the way.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
New Hui Fen sets sights on PWBA Player of the Year award after clinching second title in three days
National bowler New Hui Fen clinched her fourth Professional Women's Bowling Association title with a win at the Rock 'n' Roll Open on June 2. PHOTO: PWBA New Hui Fen sets sights on PWBA Player of the Year award after clinching second title in three days SINGAPORE – After securing back-to-back titles on the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour, Singapore's New Hui Fen has set her sights on an even bigger prize – the circuit's Player of the Year award. The national bowler is now the front runner for the accolade, having captured her second title of 2025 on June 2 by defeating Latvia's Diana Zavjalova 235-187 in the title match of the Rock 'n' Roll Open. Her latest triumph at Yorktown Lanes in Ohio marked her second win in three days at the same venue. The 33-year-old had clinched the BowlTV Open on May 31. In an interview with the PWBA, she said: 'Winning Player of the Year is something I've dreamt of. 'Last year, I was close but (Sin Li) Jane bowled so well, but maybe this year is my year.' Malaysia's Sin became the first Asian to win the accolade in 2024 after claiming four titles, including two Majors. New was among the 16 bowlers who qualified for the match-play round after placing fifth in qualifying with 2,739 pinfalls. In the best-of-five match-play bracket, she opened with a 3-2 win against Sweden's Anneli Blomqvist in the round-of-16, followed by a 3-0 sweep of American Jillian Martin. In the semi-finals, she edged past Jordan Snodgrass of the United States 245-244 to reach the championship match against Zavjalova, who had earlier defeated Julia Bond 267-234. Both bowlers were on even footing through five frames in the final, but the Singaporean reeled off four consecutive strikes from frames six to nine to finish with 235 to Zavjalova's 187 and earn the US$10,000 (S$12,900) top prize. Fittingly, New flashed a rock hand sign as she posed with the trophy after her win. She said: 'I'm very happy and grateful for this back-to-back win. I'm happy that my hard work is paying off and grateful to have this opportunity to perform at my best. 'It's been years of intentional training and showing up every day at the gym and on the lanes.' Next on the calendar for Singapore's bowlers is the June 5-7 PWBA Waterloo Open and the June 10-17 US Women's Open, before they return home. They will be back in the US for the Aug 5-12 2025 PWBA Tour Championship Week, which includes three events, culminating in the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship. New, the PWBA 2016 Rookie of the Year, is hoping to continue the form that has brought her tally of PWBA titles to four in a decorated career that also includes medals on the world stage. On what keeps her going, she said: 'I treat my bowling as a game and I'm a character in that game of bowling – I'm trying my best to level up in every aspect of the game, so that I can be consistent at every competition.' With New's two wins and Shayna Ng's victory at the Topeka Open in May, Singapore has now captured trophies in three of the five PWBA National Tour events so far. Singapore Bowling Federation president Valerie Teo said: 'Hui Fen's latest victory at the PWBA Rock 'n' Roll Open is another incredible testament to her resilience and world-class ability, and it caps off what has been a phenomenal run for Singapore bowling. 'We're incredibly proud of what our bowlers have achieved so far this season. With two wins under her belt already, Hui Fen is currently the front runner for the PWBA Player of the Year award through five events. 'While there's still a long way to go, it's exciting to see her in such strong form and in the running for one of the tour's highest honours .' Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
