S’pore bowler Daphne Tan wins 1st singles title in nine years at Asian Tenpin C’ships
SINGAPORE – Since her victory at the 2015 SEA Games, Singapore bowler Daphne Tan had been chasing a women’s singles title without success. However, on September 18, her nine-year wait came to an end when she claimed the top spot among 83 competitors at the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, held from September 14 to 26.
Competing at the Blu-O Rhythm and Bowl, Tan knocked down 1,382 pinfalls, finishing 29 points ahead of Marian Posadas of the Philippines (1,353). South Korea’s Baek Seung-ja secured third place with 1,340 pinfalls. With this victory, Daphne successfully defended Singapore’s women’s singles title, previously won by her older sister Cherie in 2023. Notably, this marks only Singapore’s second win in this event at the biennial tournament.
Daphne expressed her excitement to The Straits Times, saying, “It’s an incredible feeling knowing that all my hard work and dedication paid off. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete and thankful for the support from my coach, Jason Yeong-Nathan.” She emphasized the importance of perseverance, adding, “It has been too long, but it shows that if you keep working hard, your time will come.”
While she and Cherie had clinched the women’s doubles gold at the 2023 IBF World Bowling Championships, the singles title had been elusive for almost a decade. In Bangkok, though, everything aligned perfectly. “Success is when hard work meets opportunity, and I guess they finally met,” she quipped. “All I can do is focus on my own process and let nature take its course.”
Although Cherie, the defending champion, placed 32nd this time, Daphne dedicated her victory to her sister, saying, “It’s nice to bring the gold back to the family, but it would have been sweeter if she was standing beside me on the podium. My sister continues to inspire and motivate me every day. We celebrate our wins and go through our losses together.”
Coach Yeong-Nathan praised Daphne’s dedication, stating, “I expect wins from all my champions, and Daphne is a true champion. She always focuses on the process and strives to improve. I am absolutely delighted for her, as she remains patient and true to her goals.”
Daphne is set to compete in the doubles, with the final results announced on September 19. Following that, she will focus on the trios event in the next two days, and the team of five event starting on September 22. She also has a chance to qualify for the masters on the final day. Looking ahead, she remarked, “I want to keep focusing on what I can control, make great shots, and fight together as a team.”
lowing that, she will focus on the trios event in the next two days, and the team of five event starting on September 22. She also has a chance to qualify for the masters on the final day. Looking ahead, she remarked, “I want to keep focusing on what I can control, make great shots, and fight together as a team.”
In the men’s singles, Malaysia’s Rafiq Ismail claimed the gold with 1,419 pinfalls, followed by Australia’s Jarrod Langford (1,391) and Malaysia’s Muhammad Hafiz Zainuddin (1,383) securing silver and bronze, respectively.