HANOI - Singapore bowler Cherie Tan has now claimed two SEA Games gold medals in Vietnam but she is already eyeing a third prize – the women’s team title.
Tan, who won the women’s singles on Monday and added the women’s doubles alongside New Hui Fen on Tuesday (May 17), said: “I was in really good shape today and yesterday but it’s in the past now.
“We have to look forward to (the team event). It’s going to be different because the team event is slower and the lane movement will be different, so we have to keep our energy up (during the competition).”
Tan and New blew the competition out of the water, scoring 2,767 pinfalls at the Vincom Megamall Royal City’s Heroworld Bowling Center to capture Singapore’s first title in the event since 1995.
Indonesia’s Sharon Limansantoso and Tannya Roumimper (2,478) were distant second while Malaysians Gillian Lim and Nur Syazwani Sahar (2,471) took the bronze.
Compatriots Daphne Tan and Bernice Lim (2,373) finished fourth of 12 pairs.
Both Tan and New were a picture of serenity for most of yesterday but upon hearing that they had ended a gold drought in the event, they cracked a small smile.
Tan, 33, said: “We didn’t know that this is the first gold since 1995. We’re quite proud of ourselves. We took it one shot at a time so it was more (about) the process than the outcome.”
She added that they were not aware of their huge lead and were focused on working well together.
New, 29, added: “It was about making smart decisions at the right time (today). We communicated with each other and I got feedback from Cherie and our coach too.”
When asked about the blistering form that she and Tan have enjoyed in Hanoi, New credited the tactical knowledge and experience they gained from competing around the world for helping them adjust better.
Tan’s younger sister Daphne, 31, said it was a pity to miss out on a medal but she was pleased with her and Lim’s performance.
She said: “It’s just that the results were not reflective of our shots, which happens a lot.
“What we can do is take the lessons forward to the team event, which is what we’re gunning for and we will come back stronger.”
