Ryan Leonard Lalisang recorded Indonesia's first gold medal of the 15th Asian Games and his country's first ever Asian Games gold medal in the men's singles bowling competition at the Qatar Bowling Centre late last night, Sunday 3 December.

The 26 year-old, making his Asian Games debut, headed a huge field of 114 bowlers by scoring consistently high throughout the six games, most notably when recording a new Asian Games record for 1 game with a near perfect score of 299 in game 2, which went towards a six game total of 1442 – another Games record.

After beginning sluggishly in game 1 with a score of 200, Lalisang found the perfect range with his remarkable score in game 2, and added to his advantage with scores of 245 and 259 in games 3 and 4.

UAE's 2005 West Asian Games silver medallist Mahmood Ahmed Al Attar kept in close contact with the Indonesian, but fell away in the last two games with scores of 221 and 200 to finish with a bronze medal, after Korea's 19 year-old Choi Bok Eum stormed through with a late surge to record scores of 248 and 258 in games 5 and 6.

Lalisang's record total of 1442 worked out at an average score of 240.3 per game, while Choi finished with 1419 (236.5 average) and Al Attar 1401 (233.5) average. The Indonesian's records surpassed Filipino Virgilio Sablan's score of 290 for one game and Thailand's Kritchawat Jampakao six game record score of 1408 – both set in Bangkok 1998.

Still somewhat in shock after his victory, Lalisang said: "Even though I am not sure yet about winning the gold I am very satisfied and very happy since this is my first time competing in the Asian Games.

"During the first game I changed my line and angle for the last four shots and my coach instructed me to move more to the right to bowl. I found a good condition during the second game and that is why I got the highest score. I am really glad and hopeful that nobody can beat that."

Silver medallist Choi was delighted with his performance and remarked: "It was a blessing from God, first of all. The second reason was that my coaches have made me feel more confident and relaxed on the lanes. They have been telling me to be confident and not to lose my self-confidence.

"This is my first Asian Games and the biggest victory I have had so far. My second biggest thrill was winning a silver medal in trios in the 2006 world championships."

Bowling continues on Monday 4 December with the men's doubles competition, where some changes to the line-ups have been made. For Singapore, Carl Jan De Vries will now be teamed with Lim Guo Liang Lionel in a match starting at 09:00. Jason Yeong-Nathan will now bowl with Ng Qenn Shaun at 13:00.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's men's singles champion Lalisang will bowl with Rudy Goenawan at 13:00, while Hengki Hengki will now bowl with Haqi Rumandung at 09:00.

(dohaasiangames.org December 4, 2006)