Ratia and Chai crowned world bowling masters

Musthofid ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 05/06/2008 3:07 PM

Jari Ratia and Wendy Chai clinched victory at the World Ranking Master tenpin bowling championship at the Senayan Sportainment bowling center in Jakarta on Monday.

Ratia of Finland and Chai of Malaysia were forced to three games in the men's and women's finals, respectively.

Indonesia's hopes for a home victory crumbled in the semifinals when Ryan Lalisang missed in the final frame against Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia.

Ryan blamed the failure on his overcautious approach at the end of the second game.

He won the first game and maintained his momentum until he was caught out by his own overcaution. He led Zulmazran by 13 pins up to the eighth frame in game two when he split in the next frame and saw his lead drop to two pins. In the tenth frame, his opponent struck home while he fell to another split, handing victory to Zulmazran.

"I was afraid if I out-curved the ball, there would be a few pins left. So I took a more direct route, but the ball ended up swerving toward the target," said Ryan, who beat Zulmazran in Kuwait two years ago in their only previous meeting.

In the final, Zulmazran lost to Ratia, who earlier beat compatriot Sami Konsteri in the other semifinal.

Ratia dominated Zulmazran early on with eight strikes against four to dominate the first game.

In the second game, he led up to the ninth frame by four points when he hit a split twice in a row, handing Zulmazran a lifeline. But Ratia rediscovered his form to win the match 248-191, 173-179, 212-185.

"It was pretty tough, I guess. I knew my bowling ball was skidding too long, so I just tried to stay behind it and slow it down a bit. But I didn't hit enough pins," he said.

Despite the loss Zulmazran said he was satisfied with his performance.

"I'm happy with myself. I struggled on the first day but caught up with the others the next few days. I had a great day in the semis, but unfortunately I couldn't repeat it in the final," he said.

"I didn't make the ball follow through. I made a few mistakes on adjustment," he said. "You can't have open frames early in the world-level championship. It cost me dearly."

The Malaysian team still pulled off a victory when Wendy Chai narrowly defeated Karen Marcano of Venezuela, 181-186, 200-160, 220-201.

Chai, who beat Indonesian Tannya Roumimper in the quarterfinals, had to control her zeal to make amends for her loss in the 2005 final.

"When I reached this stage I was reminded of my past final three years ago. But I just focused on the current game. Whatever happens, happens," she said.

Putty Armein, the other Indonesian in the championship, also lost in the quarterfinals.

Maxi Gunawan, chairman of the Indonesian Tenpin Bowling Association, said he had hoped the players would go further than they did, but it was nevertheless a good achievement.

"I'm not too disappointed with the players. They reached the top eight and it was a good run for them. They proved that they could match the world's top bowlers," he said.

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