Classic example for Hong Kong youngsters as history is created
Vivian Yip and Amy Choi make breakthrough by becoming the first local bowlers to win the women’s pairs competition at the prestigious tournament
Hong Kong youth members Vivian Yip Wai-tak and Amy Choi Ging-yi said their historic victory in the women’s pairs competition at the Hong Kong International Bowls Classic bodes well for the future and could inspire a whole new generation of local stars.
The youngsters continued their charge, defeating the more heralded Australian pair of Karen Murphy and Kristina Krstic in the final to seal their place in history at Club de Recreio on Sunday.
This victory will definitely be a big boost for our bowlers. I am sure this bodes well for the development of lawn bowls in Hong Kong
“This victory will definitely be a big boost for our bowlers. I am sure this bodes well for the development of lawn bowls in Hong Kong,” said 23-year-old Yip, who skippered the team to a dramatic 13-8, 4-11, 2-1 victory.
“I’m relaxed right now,” said the youngster not long after their morale boosting win. “But when we won, we were really happy and excited. I have to say the sports psychology training I had really helped me. I am mentally tougher than before,” she said.
Despite being forced to play indoors on a fast green after heavy rain on Sunday morning caused havoc to the tournament – the venue was switched from Kowloon Bowling Green Club – the under-25 Hong Kong squad members rose to the occasion to become the first local women’s pairs champions since the event was introduced to the Classic in 2008.
It also completed a near clean sweep for Hong Kong bowlers, who also won the men’s and women’s singles last week.
Yip and Choi had luck on their side right at the death. Teams were tied 1-1 after two ends in the tiebreaker. Australia were holding a two-shot lead but Yip played a firing shot to take the jack into the ditch. Murphy tried to draw close to the jack but came up short by mere inches.