Southland-based Aiden Takarua continued his unbeaten run on the second day of the World Bowls Champion of Champions Singles in Auckland.
The New Zealand Singles champion is one of four men to remain unbeaten after four rounds in the championship that comprises the national singles champions from the 30 competing nations at the Browns Bay Bowling Club in North Harbour.
The 25-year-old joins Australia’s Lee Schraner, India’s Putal Sonowal and England’s Lewis King as the unbeaten men.
“Staying consistent was the big one for me. The speed is different coming from B Green to A Green, but I got on top of it with and getting into the tournament now and starting to get a feel for the greens,” said Takarua.
“The back green is very fast and the A Green is faster than the B Green. There are three different greens that you need to work out but I feel I am getting the hang of them.
“I was pleased that I am staying in the games, and make sure I am re-setting in between sets to ensure I make two games of it.
“I’ve been able to get away in the first sets quite well but the second sets have tightened right up but keeping up confidence in those times has been good.
“This week is amazing. It is a real privilege to be around all these countries. Everyone I have played has been so lovely. The etiquette has been amazing and everyone is supporting each other which is really cool.”
Sitting in behind them is the current world no.2 ranked player, Malaysia’s Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple who dropped his first game in a close encounter with South Africa’s Wayne Roberts.
“The game was very close. I was perhaps a bit late for the warm-up and getting used to the quick green in the first set. But I came back in the second which was very close and the third set too,” said the Malaysian.
“The greens are fast but this is good for me because the grass is good but the only challenge is to control the wind. I am happy with how I am playing but it was a very close game and South Africa was better today.”
The Malaysian star lost the final at this tournament in Wellington two years ago and won the bronze medal in Australia last year.
There are five women who remain unbeaten, led by American Anne Nunes, who is attempting to become the first person to successfully defend the World Bowls Champion of Champions singles title.
She is joined Niue’s Joy Preyoux, Nayan Moni Saikia (India), Laini McGorman (Australia) and Stef Branfield (England).
However it was not plain sailing for the unbeaten quintet Niue winning 1.5 to 0.5; and England forced to a tiebreak to win both their games over Singapore and South Africa.
Likewise India had a straight-sets win over New Zealand’s Leeane Poulson but a tiebreak went in their favour over Hong Kong China, while USA won both their encounters 1.5 to 0.5.
Australia’s McGorman was the most impressive with straight sets wins over Sharon Barnes (Falklands Island) and Gloria Ha (Hong Kong China).
After a tough start to the tournament, New Zealand singles champion Poulson bagged her first win in the final round of the day with a tie-break success over Cook Islands’ Teokotai Jim.
It proved a remarkable game for 65-year-old national champion, and last year’s world championship medallist, who blitzed her way to a 13-1 first set win, before dropping three shots on the final end to be pipped 6-7 but was impressive in scoring three shots on the final tiebreak end for the 7-6 set win and much needed victory.
Over 50 of the best bowlers from 30 nations have descended on New Zealand for the 22nd World Bowls Champion of Champions Singles this week.
There are three rounds of qualifying each day from Tuesday ahead of the elimination rounds and final on Saturday at Browns Bay Bowling Club.
Results - Men: https://results.mc.worldbowls.com/competition/eac5e39b-eebb-4988-9a34-6f1629b5755a#ladder
Results – Women: https://results.mc.worldbowls.com/competition/75e5ca33-04c0-4d0b-8d8d-f4a67ab606d0#ladder