Bowler Alex Liew savors his string of success
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Like many athletes, Alex Liew Kien Liang has developed his own ritual when he steps up to bowl.
The 29-year-old southpaw scrutinizes the pins for a moment from his chair, then stands up and moves his playing arm in a firm up-and-down motion. He takes the ball, holds it firmly to his chest and, at a time that only he can decide, releases it with full force.
Recently, the climax has been punctuated by a roar of "ah" from the crowd as the ball sends the pins scattering into the alley.
For the Malaysian is enjoying the most successful season of his career, displaying superb form to take the Qatar leg of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour, the Bahrain Open, Selangor Open and, last week, back-to-back titles at the Indonesian Open and ABF Indonesia stop.
"I don't know lah Bang (brother)," Alex said modestly when asked about his recent successful form. "I feel the pressure of the game is not so high for me, so I'm more relaxed and confident with my throws."
His confidence is apparent even in clutch situations, and he credits his reliance on solid technique.
"The two important things I keep in mind are to make sure my left hand is firm and straight and to keep my leg low."
In the Indonesian Open, he led the two-day regular games standing, and won the final against Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong 245- 210. "He is my toughest competitor. It was great to beat him," Alex said.
In the ABF Tour event, held immediately following the Indonesian Open, his consistently high scores of 258 (twice), 238 and 244 in a close final against Yang Tae Bum of South Korea brought him the title.
"It was an exciting final. Actually, I didn't expect to win both the Indonesian Open and ABF Tour as few people have done that."
Alex is making up for lost time with all his titles; he was a late comer to the sport, starting at the age of 18 when his brother gave him a used bowling ball.
"A year later I became a serious athletes under coach Holloway Cheah."
He won a number of major titles, including the Melbourne Cup (1997), Masters gold at the World Youth Championship (1998), PBAP Storm International Classic and Southeast Asian (SEA) Games doubles (2001), ABF Thailand leg (2002) and World Tenpin Team Cup (2003).
With his current winning streak, Alex wants more.
"I hope my good performance will help me win the individual event at the SEA Games," Alex said of the November Games in the Philippines, with bowling to be held in Paranaque in Metro Manila.
"Next year, I will probably have a chance for the Asian Games and World Championships."
He is almost assured of being Malaysia's representative at the AMF World Cup in Slovenia in November.
"... based on Alex's performances this year, he certainly stands the best chance. Everyone will surely complain if we do not select him to make his debut in the tournament," Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress secretary Sidney Tung told The Star daily of Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
Although he travels the world in search of titles, Alex is always thinking of his family back home.
"I find my wife (Belinda Kang) is my motivator to reach my best achievements in bowling. She supports me to focus on bowling although it means that she must be at home alone with our three- year-old daughter, Liew Lie Cia."