20th August, Kuala Lumpur: 2011 SEA Games Singles gold medallist, Cherie Tan gave Singapore their first gold medal at the 29th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championships with a convincing victory in the Women's Singles as host, Malaysia settled for the silver and bronze medals.

2015 SEA Games Singles bronze medallist, Esther Cheah gave a large crowd of Malaysian supporters plenty to cheer for when she took the early lead with a stunning 268 in the opening game, 23 pins ahead of New Hui Fen of Singapore in second.

But her lead was short-lived as Tan surged into the lead with 245 following her opening game of 241. Cheah managed only 213 to slip down to second with a second Singaporean, Shayna Ng hot on her heels. The leader added another superb game of 248 to stretch her lead to 52 pins.

Cheah continued to slide down the field while another Malaysian, Syaidatul Afifah moved up into second following a strong game of 247 in the third.

"I had to give up the Singles bronze medal at the last SEA Games in Singapore because my team-mates won the gold and the silver according to the rules of the championships," said Tan during the interview with the press.

"So this time, I made sure it was not going to happen again and I put in more effort after I realised I was leading. I'm glad I managed to do it and come away with the first gold medal for my country."

But the show belong to Malaysian veteran, Shalin Zulkifli, who at the age of 38 and in her eighth SEA Games appearance, rolled ninth consecutive stikes and looked set to roll the first perfect game of the championship.

But she eventually ended with 266 to leapfrog into third position and snatched the bronze medal with 1297, just three pins shy of Li Jane. Ng posted 228 in her sixth and final game but missed the podium by seven pins with 1290. New rounded out the top 5 with 1286.