WHEN South Korea held nationwide trials to select keglers for the Asian Youth Games (AYG) in May, over 2,000 hopefuls turned up.

Only eight - four boys and four girls - were selected.

Yesterday, two of the boys proved that they were the right ones for the job. Their fearless display won them a gold medal in the boys' doubles as well as the hearts of the neutral spectators.

In a hotly-contested event, which saw the lead change hands five times over six games, Choi Kyung Hwan and Hwang Dong Jun emerged triumphant with a total of 2,711 pinfalls.

Japan's Satoshi Hamanaka and Takuma Eichigo were second with 2,679 pinfalls - a mere 32 pinfalls behind.

The bronze went to Singapore's Brandon Lee and Christopher Hwang, who finished with 2,596 pinfalls.

Earlier in the day, the Republic's New Hui Fen and Darshini Krishna won the girls' doubles event, clinching the host nation's second gold medal in bowling.

But, while the Singapore girls led from start to finish, the road to the boys' crown at Orchid Country Club was a heart-stopping one for South Korea.

Just two pinfalls separated them from the Japanese, who started the final game in pole position thanks to a fine 493 in the fifth game.

By then, the competition had become too hot for Satoshi, who fanned himself nervously with a paper fan.

But, in the end, it was Kyung Hwan and Dong Jun - the bronze-medallist in Wednesday's singles event - who stayed cool, posting scores of 235 and 268 respectively.

Satoshi also had a 268, but Takuma's 201 meant that the title had slipped out of their grasp.

Said South Korea's team manager James Kim: 'There were so many scares for the boys, and I could not stop worrying. But I knew they would work hard, because they did not win a medal the day before.'

According to Kim, bowling is one of South Korea's most popular sports, played by over a million people.

Few countries in Asia can match their passion and commitment to the sport, said Singapore Bowling Federation (SBF) president Jessie Phua.

'Before the Asian Games in 2006, their team spent an entire year doing centralised training,' she revealed. 'That's the kind of dedication they have.'

Phua also lavished praise on Hui Fen and Darshini, saying they showed 'tremendous chemistry' en route to the gold.

The two girls ended the day with 2,680 pinfalls, 101 clear of second-placed Thais Sathean Tanaprang and Saebe Yaee. The bronze went to South Koreans Sim Ui Jin and Oh Nu Ri (2,504).

Said Hui Fen, the singles champion: 'Darshini covered me when I bowled badly - there was great support from her.'

Their teammates Brandon and Christopher also impressed when they beat the odds to win a bronze.

The Singapore duo were second after four games, but a dismal 350 in Game 5 left them trailing in fifth place - 72 pinfalls behind the third-placed Hong Kong pair of Michael Mak and Tse Chung Yin.

Their response? A jaw-dropping 514 in the final game, which included nine strikes in a row from Christopher.

The Singaporeans finished third with 2,596, while Japan's Yusuke Yamamoto and Hiroki Takada (2,535) were fourth. Hong Kong's Michael and Chung Yin (2,504) had to settle for fifth.

Said Christopher: 'When you fight so hard for something you've been preparing for half a year, and you get what you want, the feeling is indescribable.'

tvoon@sph.com.sg