Bowls star Stanley Lai aims to break Classic duck
Stanley Lai Gon-lap's success at the World Champion of Champions tournament in Cyprus may have given him a huge morale boost for this weekend's Hong Kong International Classic, but he will still need the rub of the greens to make a breakthrough in the city's flagship tournament.
The 47-year-old bank clerk returned to a hero's welcome after winning a silver medal in Cyprus, scoring Hong Kong's best-ever finish at the Champion of Champions. Last year, he was crowned national singles champion, but has never tasted Classic success.
"I don't know why I haven't done well in the Classic, not even reaching the knockout stages since I first started taking part in 2001. This year, my confidence has definitely been lifted but you really need a lot of luck," said Lai.
Lai will be hoping to become the first Hong Kong Classic champion since Noel Kennedy won the men's singles in 1994.
He faces a big task competing against another world-class field as the Classic returns to the fold after a year's absence when Hong Kong last year hosted the HKLBA Golden Jubilee tournament.
The Classic singles competition begins today at three venues - Kowloon Bowling Green Club (KBGC), Club de Recreio and United Services Recreation Club. (USRC). The final will be held tomorrow at KBGC. The pairs competition will begin next week and end next Sunday.
In the men's competition, reigning singles and pairs champion Robert Newman of England will return to defend his titles. He will pair up with Mark Read this year. Newman will face strong challenges from the 2009 Classic singles runners-up Hommer Mercado of the Philippines and World No13 Graham McKee from Ireland.
In the women's competition, Australian Julie Keegan returns to defend her pairs title - this time with her mother, Thelma Sanday - while Malaysian Nor Hashimah Ismail will be looking to retain her singles title.
