The countdown is on to the next World Bowls event of 2024. 

Thirty-one nations from around the world will compete for a world title in the men’s and women’s singles at the 2024 World Champion of Champions. 

Browns Bay Bowling Club in Auckland, New Zealand, will host this prestigious international event, with thirty men and twenty-six women competing at one of the premier clubs in North Harbour which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2023. 

To qualify for the World Bowls Champion of Champions you must have won your club championship and clinch your country’s overall champion of champion title to compete in this event. 

Among the field of entrants is new World Bowls Series number one ranked male player Malaysia’s Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple. 

All eyes will no double be on the 34-year-old – can he win gold and emulate his success at the indoor event earlier this year when he was a silver medallist in the men’s singles? 

He faces strong competition from British Isles Championships’ men’s singles winner Ross Owen, who will be looking to take the title back to Wales for the second year in a row following Daniel Salmon’s victory in 2023, plus Wayne Roberts (South Africa) and 2019 winner Lee Schraner (Australia). 

In the women’s event, USA’s Anne Nunes, champion at this event 12 months ago in Australia, is back to defend her crown. 

Can she make history by becoming the first player since the event began in 2003 to retain one of the most sought-after world titles? 

It should be noted that New Zealand’s legendary Jo Edwards has won the event twice – in 2011 and 2018. 

One of the stars in the women’s line-up undoubtedly is the aforementioned Dzulkeple’s teammate Nor Farah Ain Abdullah.  

As number two in the World Bowls Series rankings, she will be a tough opponent who will be looking to achieve a rare feat – being double indoor and outdoor World Bowls champion of champions gold medallist if successful.  

Also bidding for glory will be Ireland’s British Isles Championship’s women’s singles gold medallist Sarah Kelly, England’s Stef Branfield, attending the event for a second time, and Malta’s Connie Rixon – a silver medallist in the indoor champion of champions in Guernsey just seven months ago. 

It’s the sixth time New Zealand has hosted the prestigious tournament and this year’s hopes for local success lie with Aiden Takarua and Leeane Poulson, the latter fresh from success in the women’s pairs at Singapore’s Lion City Cup which saw her leap to 17th in the WBS rankings. 

The Champion of Champions is one of the forthcoming WBS events and carries platinum points. 

The competition takes place from November 25-30. 

World Bowls CEO Neil Dalrymple said: “Thank you very much to the Browns Bay Bowling Club and Bowls New Zealand for hosting the 2024 event. Their support (and those of their staff and volunteers) enables these events to be staged in a professional manner and this is important for the players competing. 

“I am looking forward to witnessing the competition and whilst a World title is up for grabs, World ranking points can also be gained as this event is a World Bowls Series (WBS) platinum event so maximum ranking points can be achieved. 

“As we near the end of the calendar year, the WBS is gaining momentum and interest from players all over the world and this event could very much shape who will end up as our World No.1 female and male players at years end.” 

Player’s List: HERE

Schedule: HERE

Conditions of Play: HERE

Media release issued by Ceris Hewlings, World Bowls media officer