Bowler Alex Liew savors his success
Bowler Alex Liew savors his 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), 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."