Teerapol Hits First Perfect Game
29th October 2003Thailand’s Teerapol Saijaraktrakul scored the first perfect game of the 36th Singapore Open last evening. The Storm-sponsored bowler achieved his second career 300 on lane 10 at Victor’s Superbowl, barely 20 minutes after Japan’s Hiroko Shimizu failed narrowly in her bid for the first perfect game of the tournament on lane 9
Shimizu looked good with the 1-2 pocket on her 11th shot, but a 7-10 split crashed her hopes of claiming the $10,000 perfect game prize. The Japanese left-hander had to settle for a high game of 287 and her 842 series put third in the women overseas pool, behind new leader Sarah Yap of Malaysia (896) and Tang Joh Six (847).
Teerapol meantime got a standing ovation when he achieved his perfect game during the second game of a 946 series (238, 300, 226, 182). If no one repeats a 300, he will walk away with a $10,000 cash prize.
“I was very lucky especially in frame eight,” said Teerapol, whose mates called him ‘Champ’. “Pin two dropped very late and you always need a bit for luck for perfect games. My first 300 game was in a local tournament in Thailand and there wasn’t any money involved. This is a new experience for me. I’ll definitely give some of the prize money to my parents.”
Teerapol’s best finish in an international Open this year is ninth position at the Thai Open and the relatively newcomer knows it wouldn’t be easy winning the 36th Singapore Open. “The lane conditions are difficult and the field is definitely stronger than those I’ve faced before,” said the communications undergraduate, who is currently fifth in the overseas pool. “But I will try my best in the Masters finals.”
Bowling in the same MQ as Teerapol was Indonesia’s Ryan Lalisang who became the current top qualifier with an impressive 987 series (216, 256, 278, 237) at press-time. “I was really struggling before getting a 987,” said Lalisang, 23. “Certain lanes seem to favour high scores and luckily I managed to draw lanes 9 and 10. I basically took the same line as Teerapol who got his perfect game. It’s possible someone can hit above 1000, if conditions stay the same.”
Earlier in the day, Malaysian youth bowler Zaid Izlan, 15, had scored a 962 series (233, 227, 224, 278) to head the overseas pool for a few hours, but Ryan’s 987 soon allowed him to grab the headlines.
Philippines Chester King also had a great MQ and scored a 956 series (214, 236, 229, 277) to go third in the overseas pool. Malaysia’s Zulmazran Zukifli was at fourth (931) and American Zone number one ranked bowler for September Andres Gomez of Columbia was tied fifth with another Malaysian Daniel Lim at 912 at press-time.
Only the top 14 from the overseas pool will advance into Saturday’s Masters finals and already 12 overseas bowlers have breached the 900 mark at press-time. World trios champion Dino Castillo is only 11th in the overseas pool at press-time with his tournament best so far of 905.
There were no changes in the local pool with Faizal Chew remaining on top with a 978 series, ahead of Jason Yeong Nathan (945), Jack Wong (914), Rohezan Abd Manaf (911) and Remy Ong (905). Besides the top 14 from the overseas pool, the top 14 qualifiers in the local pool and another top 14 from the mixed pool will make the cut for Saturday’s Masters
At press-time, Catherine Kang and Regina Lau continued to lead all women qualifiers with 941 and 920 respectively. They are the only two female bowlers to enter the 900 club so far. Qualification continues till Friday and admission to the 36th Singapore Open is free.