Back to the roots, does the trick for Schmidt

45^TH QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup (1^st day Men’s First Block of 8 Games)

Starting all over for Canada’s Michael Schmidt, did the trick for him when we went to take the lead after the first block of eight games in the 45^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup at the Melaka International Bowling Centre.

Last night, 29-year Schmidt took a narrow lead of two pins over Korea’s Choi Yong-Kyu, but it was a still a lead to be cherished.

Schmidt who took an early lead lost the lead in the sixth game, but fought back and in the final game where the duo were bowling in the same pair of lanes – 9 and 10 – fought tooth and nail to take the narrow lead with a total of 1,880 against Choi’s 1,878.

Although Scdmidt bowled 235 as compared to Choi’s 236, it was enough to keep the lead for the night.

Sweden’s Martin Larsen finished third with 1,838 pinfalls, while Thomas Larsen of Denmark was fourth with 1,767.

Malaysia’s Zulmazran Zuklifli despite scoring 200 over scored in the first five games, was not among the top five. And a 176 game in the sixth games, further aggravated the situation for him.

But showing steely determination, Zulmazran fired 211 and 257 in the last two games to finish a creditable fifth in strong field.

Schmidt, on the other hand, said that he was brought down to earth from his illustrious bowling career last year when he failed to qualify for the Bowling World Cup.

“But that was probably the best thing that happened to me,” said the champion in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2005.

“While earlier having represented Canada in the Bowling World Cup since my debut in 2005 when I won the championship, I did not have to go through the process of qualifying from the bowling centres. I had automatic qualification to the national level.

“But after having missed the cut last year to Jack Quay, I had to start all over again from the bowling centres.

“That really brought me down to earth and having come here the hard way, I was determined to make amends for my miss last year.

“And what a way to start the championship. I know it is only a slim lead, but it has boosted my confidence and hope to only get better from here,” said Schmidt who has also earned a place in the Canada team for the World Cup championship for men in Munich next year.

For Zulmazran, finishing fifth last night caught him by surprise.

“It was a tough field and there were many surprise names in the race. But finishing fifth is indeed a pleasant surprise,” said Zulmazran.

“I did well, but in a tough field, one has bowl an average of 240 to be in the race to be among the top six,” said Zulmazran who had an average of 220 from lines of 230, 245, 214, 203, 228, 176, 211 and 257.

“I certainly have to bowl better tomorrow (today) and at worst maintain my performance today.

“I aim to finish among the top three at the end of the three blocks and 24 games and I have to average 250.”

And that is Zulmazran for you. He is a very determined, focused and driven bowler. He sets high standards and that brings the best out of him.

Today the men’s second block will roll off at 10am.

Men's First Block

Pos	Bowler/Country	Fed	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Score	Ave	Cut
1	Michael Schmidt		235	267	202	253	232	198	258	235	1880	235.00	210
	Canada
2	Choi Yong-Kyu		225	249	212	234	248	240	234	236	1878	234.75	208
	Korea
3	Martin Larsen		223	237	172	267	224	218	217	280	1838	229.75	168
	Sweden
4	Thomas Larsen		266	201	207	197	223	245	214	214	1767	220.88	97
	Denmark
5	Zulmazran Zulkifli		230	245	214	203	228	176	211	257	1764	220.50	94
	Malaysia
6	Mark Kerr		232	204	216	287	192	191	209	231	1762	220.25	92
	Scotland
7	Zoltan Skobrics		226	191	255	224	213	228	218	205	1760	220.00	90
	Hungary
8	Arturs Levikins		234	254	195	215	185	215	226	216	1740	217.50	70
	Latvia
9	David Canady		193	223	258	199	238	195	198	234	1738	217.25	68
	Germany
10	Ryo Yamanaka		255	205	230	272	180	192	198	202	1734	216.75	64
	Japan
11	Ryan Leonard Lalisang		255	207	193	179	192	211	235	256	1728	216.00	58
	Indonesia
12	Wicky Yeung		168	180	203	231	238	224	242	239	1725	215.63	55
	Hong Kong
13	Surasak Manuwong		186	168	224	215	258	233	233	205	1722	215.25	52
	Thailand
14	Hussain Al Suwaidi		243	245	189	210	192	225	225	192	1721	215.13	51
	UAE
15	Alan Bride		216	187	225	211	213	198	226	237	1713	214.13	43
	Ireland
16	Jonathan Hocsman		193	222	193	201	248	227	200	223	1707	213.38	37
	Argentina
17	Mykhaylo Kalika		234	234	233	196	212	246	147	203	1705	213.13	35
	Ukraine
18	Ammar Tarrad		206	221	226	223	224	191	210	198	1699	212.38	29
	Saudi Arabia
19	Paul Trotter		204	200	188	229	264	165	222	226	1698	212.25	28
	Australia
20	Larry Vontobel		222	232	168	214	236	203	221	194	1690	211.25	20
	Switzerland
21	Darren Cundy		178	144	248	202	268	224	216	204	1684	210.50	14
	England
22	Sonny Reguerra		184	192	220	226	223	191	225	221	1682	210.25	12
	New Zealand
23	Gabriel Sanchez		256	196	226	179	187	205	201	227	1677	209.63	7
	Puerto Rico
24	Michael Loos		246	192	211	183	203	187	279	169	1670	208.75	0
	Austria
Top 24 makes cut to next round