Cherie Tan emerged Champion in the EBT Masters 2011 in March. Competing alone in Slovenia, she managed to overcome the challenges on the lanes and also did pre-competition training on her own while in US for her exchange programme. In her confident self, she defeated prominent european bowlers and triumphed in this championship.Here's a short interview with Cherie after her win.
Having been in US after your last competition in the Asian Games last November, how how often do you train in US?
Cherie: I trained about 2-3 times a week, depending on my timetable. However, about 2 weeks pior to the EBT Masters, I increased my training frequency to 4 times a week.What are the challenges you face during your training?
Cherie: The need to have self-discipline is very important. Particularly the inconveniences of having to bring your bowling balls and travelling on public transport and walking during the cold winter will deter you if you are not determined enough.
Another challenge I had to overcome is to work around the lanes availability with that of my schedule as it is not easy to book the bowling lanes (in US). I also communicate regularly online with Coach William to ensure I am on the right track.
When you knew you are going to the EBT Masters, did you set any goals for yourself?
Cherie: Frankly, I did not expect much from this. I felt it is good for me to go and compete based on the past few months of training (on my own) and see how I will fare. Given the fact that my bowling balls went missing en route to Slovenia, I had to just make the best out of it.
You did very well during the first day of qualifying, did it give you additional pressure?
Cherie: I guess with the 132 pin lead that I had, it helped to ease some pressure off me.
It is also your first attempt to use the straight release technique to help you pick up spares, how long have you been training in this area?
Cherie: I only started working on this about 1 - 2 months ago and although I managed to use it to help me in my game, I wouldn't say it is perfect and I will still need some more training to make it better. I guess using this technique ultimately helped by not leaving too many pins to spare and made it easier for me to convert the single pin spares.
Do you think your confident character also plays a part in helping you to remain focussed during the competition despite facing the many unforeseen pre-competition challenges?
Cherie: I guess it helps and also with my past experience in the various tournaments, it had also trained me to remain focussed on the game.
This is the first time you went for competition without a coach, how do you feel it?
Cherie: Somehow, it doesn't feel weird. Perhaps it is because I have been in constant communications with Coach William and also went through the oiling patterns and game plan with him before the competition. He also helped in selecting the balls to be drilled and mapping of the equipment, so it's not totally without a coach but rather without the coach's physical presence at the competition venue.
How did you spend your day there alone?
Cherie: I basically bowled in the mornings and afternoons and when I'm back in the hotel, I was busy with my homework as I'm missing classes after all being in Slovenia for the tournament. It is basically competition and getting busy with my homework and as I could not find any other eating places, I basically just ate MacDonalds for dinner.
How do you feel about your achievement?
Cherie: I feel really happy and this shows my training is going in the right direction.
Any particular target you have in mind after the end of your exchange programme?
Cherie: I would hope to have the chance to represent Singapore for the World Women Championships and the SEA Games this year.
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| Top 3 winners of EBT Masters 2011 (Women) Cherie in middle |
