The fairy tale story of Wong Chun Yat continued when he lifted the Men’s Champion of Champions (CoC) trophy on Sunday March 24. This also marked the completion of all competitions this year.
While the feeling of lifting a title has become familiar to Wong in the last few months, it is hard to imagine that he had been drawing blanks in the previous eight years of battling in the local bowls arena. However, since he captured the Knock-out Singles crown in January he is simply un-stoppable.
“It is amazing,” said Wong. “It seems like I woke up suddenly and then things just keep coming in.”
Following his National Fours win with teammates from the Kowloon Bowling Green Club in February, Wong continued his good form in the Champion of Champions competition, the last tournament of the year. He met 2011 CoC champion Li Ming Sum in the Final.
The Final was a very tight affair as both players are very delicate in their drawing technique.
Li started the game with a toucher, but the score between the two sides was very close. On the fifteenth end, when Wong is trailing Li 10:11, Wong took out a shot bowl and won three points in this end.
From then on, Wong maintained his consistency and prevailed to a 21:17 victory.
Wong is very delighted after winning so many titles within such a short period of time and also after such a long wait.
“Since winning the National Knock-out Singles back in January, I have never lost my touch. I am able to concentrate more in my games, which also resulted in an improved stability in my delivery.”
However he is also concerned that the touch will suddenly desert him.
“On the day before the Sunday Final, I suddenly had this feeling to play the game as soon as possible–in case I lose touch.
“I am a bit nervous at the beginning of the Final as I want it so badly. This affected my performance a bit. But, when I controlled my sentiment the touch came back and I manage it well to win,” said Wong.
Li also believes that the better player won on the day.
“Wong is not just a good drawer, his attacking shots are good as well,” said Li.
“There are a number of ends when he performed really well even in a difficult situation. I think that made the difference, but I am satisfied with my performance throughout.”
Participation to the CoC is restricted to the current holders of the singles champions of the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association (National Singles, Knockout Singles, Under 25 Singles, Champion of Champions singles) as well as the singles champions of all member clubs under the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association. Wong qualified as the champion of the National Knock-out Singles as well as the Singles champion with the Kowloon Bowling Green Club.
The format of the competition is a double round-robin, followed by the knock-out stage from Semi-finals onward.
Claudius Lam is an Officer with the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
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