16th July, Hong Kong: It was a double joy for newly-crowned Hong Kong International Open champion, Ammar Tarrad of Saudi Arabia after winning the 2017 ABF Tour Hong Kong Men's title while Nadia Pramanik gave Indonesia a second title in the women's division.
Ammar denied the local favourite a home victory after narrowly defeating Wu Siu Hong, 202-201 in the closely fought final match to claim his second title in two days. Both started the final with a split and a strike each in the first two frames.
But the Saudi suffered another split in the third frame to give Wu a slight advantage. Ammar recovered with a strike in the fourth frame to draw level but trailed again after his challenger responded with a strike in the fifth frame.
Both were still level after the sixth frame but Wu gave a slight edge to his opponent after missing a single pin spare in the the seventh frame. Both struck in the ninth frame but Ammar still had a 11 pin lead. A strike from either one would secure victory and when Wu failed to get a strike in the tenth frame, Ammar didn't needed to spare to take victory.
Second consecutive title for Ammar Tarrad
"It's has been an amazing turn of fortune for me. After winning the Hong Kong Open title yesterday and now to win a second title in two days is just overwhelming," said the delighted 29-year-old Ammar. "I didn't even look at the scores and I just concentrated on tackling the tricky lane 35.
"My opponent was also having the same problem I had. I thought I needed a strike in the last frame to win and when I managed only a 7-pin count, I was preparing to congratulate my opponent. But to my surprise, my team-mates were cheering me for the victory.
"This is my first ABF Tour final and my first-ever tour title. I will cherish it for the rest of my bowling career, thanks to the opportunity given to me by my federation and the coaching I received from Rick (Bernoit)."
The champion had reached the final after ousting Aseel Alroomi, 232-198 in the first semi-final match. He also defeated Ernest Kwok of Hong Kong, 203-200 in the first round and Lee Gyo Hwan of Korea, 257-235 in the second round en-route to winning the title, a trophy and a prize of US$500. Wu, who settled for the first-runner-up position to take home US$300, edged Annop Arromsaranon of Thailand, 236-232 in the other semi to progress to the final.
Meanwhile, 2015 ABF Tour Indonesia leg champion, Nadia Pramanik defeated team-mate and 2017 ABF Tour Macau leg women's champion, Putty Armein, 243-211 in the all-Indonesia final to give her team a second women's title following Sharon Limansantoso's victory in the 43rd Hong Kong International Open yesterday.
Nadia beat another team-mate, Alisha Nabila, 234-208 in yet another all-Indonesia semi-final match to reach the final. The champion dispatched sole-Thai finalist, Angkana Netrvseth, 245-224 in the opening round before beating newly-crowned Chinese Taipei Open champion, Wang Ya-Ting, 232-197 to advance to the semi.
Putty easily defeated local favourite and 2013 ABF Tour Hong Kong leg champion, Milki Ng, 265-212 in the first semi-final match to earn a crack at a second tour title this year.
Ms Vivien Lau, ABF Tour Committee Chairman and World Bowling Secretary General was on hand to present the trophies to the champions and cheques to the top four winners of both the divisions.
Second tour title for Nadia Pramanik
The ABF Tour Hong Kong 2017 leg is the fourth of six legs to be staged in East Asia this year with the official host broadcaster, i-Cable TV providing live TV coverage from SCAA Bowling Centre to several countries in Asia. The next stop will be in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 15.
For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.
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