SINGAPORE: Singapore welcomes a new men’s singles world bowling champion, Darren Ong, 16 years after former national bowler Remy Ong’s triumph in South Korea. Darren Ong claimed the gold medal in the 2023 IBF World Bowling Championships in Kuwait, winning against fellow Team Singapore bowler Jaris Goh in both games in the final, 184-179 and 208-164 on Monday, Oct 9.
In 2006, Remy Ong won the gold medal in the men’s singles and the all-events category at the World Tenpin Bowling Championships in Busan. Remy Ong was a household name back in the day as a national bowler. Before his World Championships win, Remy Ong picked up three gold medals at the 2002 Asian Games in South Korea. He won in the men’s singles, trios and masters events.
“No words to describe the feelings I have for these two men, Darren Ong, Jaris Goh. Finally another World Champion is born after 16 years. Keep it coming boys, Jia you and keep our flag flying high. When opportunities come, seize it. Battle just began. Congratulations to all the coaches and management to make this all happen,” posted a jubilant Remy Ong on his Facebook after Singapore won the gold and silver medals at the World Bowling Championships in Kuwait.
It was a smoother journey for Goh in the semi-finals, winning 211-204, 248-24 against Ghanim Aboujassoum from Qatar, while Darren Ong had to endure a three-game battle with German Tobias Boerding. The German bowler won the first match 222-208 against Darren Ong, but the Singaporean bowler managed to compose himself and came from behind to win the next two matches 224-173, 225-213 and sealed the victory in the semi-finals.
“A new world champion, a new Singaporean World Champion! These guys Jaris Goh and Darren Ong have done it. Won both their semis and now they have secured Gold and Silver! All Singaporean finals of the IBF World Championships Men’s Singles!! Woohoo! and congrats to the whole village and team behind them! And to the team for fighting hard through the singles,” shared Singapore Bowling Federation president Dr Valerie Teo on social media after Ong and Goh won their semi-final matches.
Three days after their first medal win in Kuwait, Team Singapore celebrated another gold and silver medal as Cherie Tan/Daphne Tan and Colleen Pee/New Hui Fen won their semi-final matches and sealed a spot in the women’s doubles final.
The Tan siblings were crowned the champions, defeating Pee and New in the women’s doubles final 226-119, 218-192. In the semi-finals, the Tans won 218-205 against Mika Guldbaek/Mai Jensen from Denmark, while Pee and New claimed a comfortable 236-149, 250-182 win over Grace Gella/Krizziah Macatula from the Philippines.
There was disappointment for both Darren Ong and Goh as they could not replicate their gold or silver medal win in the men’s singles event at the men’s double category. Although the Singapore pair had a good showing in the group stage and took top place in Round 2, with a score of 1150 pinfalls, they could not match their South Korean opponents in the next round. Despite their best effort, Darren Ong and Goh could not squeeze past Won Jong Hyeok and Oh Byung Jun in the semi-finals as they lost 205-237, 194-222 and had to settle for the bronze medal.