Singapore bowler Daphne Tan wins first singles title in nine years at Asian C’ships

SINGAPORE – Since emerging victorious at the 2015 SEA Games, Singapore bowler Daphne Tan had failed in her bid to win her next women’s singles title.

But her nine-year wait finally ended on Sept 18 when she came out tops from an 83-player field at the Sept 14-26 Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships in Bangkok.

At the Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl, Tan knocked down 1,382 pinfalls, 29 ahead of the Philippines’ second-placed Marian Posadas (1,353). South Korea’s Baek Seung-ja finished third with 1,340.

In the process, the 34-year-old successfully defended Singapore’s women’s singles title, which was won by older sister Cherie in the last edition. This is just Singapore’s second win in the event at the biennial tournament.

Daphne told The Straits Times: “It’s an incredible feeling knowing that all my hard work and dedication paid off. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete out here, and thankful for the support that my coach (Jason Yeong-Nathan) has given me.

“It has been too long, but it also goes to show that as long as you keep working hard and going at it, your time will come.”

While she had won several titles in other events – most notably the women’s doubles gold with Cherie at the 2023 International Bowling Federation World Bowling Championships and the women’s team crown at the SEA Games in 2019 and 2022 – the singles title has eluded her for nearly a decade.

Her closest finish was fourth at the Professional Women’s Bowling Association BowlTV Classic in 2022. But everything finally fell into place in Bangkok.

“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 run its course.”

While she could not share the podium with Cherie, as the defending champion placed 32nd, Daphne dedicated her victory to the 36-year-old, saying: “It’s nice to bring the gold back into the family, but it would have been sweeter if she was standing to me on the podium. 

“My sister continues to inspire and motivate me every day. I’m glad to have her next to me on this journey. We celebrate our wins together and go through our losses together.”

Yeong-Nathan said of Daphne’s win: “I expect wins on the board for all my champions and Daphne is a champion. A true champion focuses on the process and always strives to improve.

“I am absolutely delighted for her, as she always stays patient and true to her goals.”

Daphne and teammate Colleen Pee finished 13th in the doubles on Sept 19, and will turn her attention to the trios in the following two days, together with the team-of-five event which starts on Sept 22. She also has the chance to qualify for the Masters on the final day.

Looking forward to the rest of the tournament, she said: “I want to continue focusing on what I can control, making great shots and fighting together as a team.”

In the men’s singles, Malaysia’s Rafiq Ismail won gold after finishing second in the last edition. Compatriots Shaqeem Izwan Teh and Tun Hakim won the men’s doubles, while fellow Malaysians Natasha Mohamed Roslan and Sin Li Jane triumphed in the women’s doubles.