Sue Abela dedicates Belgium Senior Open title to late friend Doris Camilleri

Sue Abela added another prestigious title to her distinguished CV when she placed first in the Belgium Senior Open and Malta’s leading bowler dedicated the honour to former Malta champion Doris Camilleri who died last month.

Abela produced a very strong performance at the Bowling Les Allies in Mouscron, Belgium, to further underline her status as Malta’s leading tenpin bowler.

Contacted by the Times of Malta, Abela said that her main goal in Belgium was to try and get the best possible result to dedicate to her long-time friend Camilleri.

“My main objective in this tournament was to dedicate my performance to Doris who was not only a long-time friend but also the reason why I practised the sport,” Abela told the Times of Malta.

“When I started the sport, Doris was the Malta champion and she inspired me to reach the top. We spent several years representing and winning medals for Malta. In fact, one of my fondest memories with Doris was winning the gold medal for Malta in the doubles at the Mediterranean Championships.

“She always followed my career, even after she decided to retire from the sport. I am so grateful for everything she did for me and this title is for her.”

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Competing against 25 other international bowlers, Abela started the competition strongly with a strong set in the first six games.

In fact, the veteran bowler hit scores of 183, 211, 233, 235, 210 and 206 for a total score of 1,320 pins. Germany’s Martina Beckel was second on 1,316 while Jan Hodge was third on 1,293.

Having secured a top-two placing in the first phase, Abela and Beckel avoided the second phase of the competition and moved straight to the semi-final stage.

Here, Abela had a fight in her hands to secure a top-four finish as her rivals stepped up their game.

In fact, the Maltese bowler secured the fourth and final spot in the final when racking scores of 204, 215, 237 and 181 for a total of 865.

Beckel topped the standings on 953 to finish ahead of Belgian duo Vanessa Vissenberg (903) and Linda Van kerckhove (889).

Abela finally turned on the style in the final when firing 200, 202, and 237 to top the standings with a commanding score of 660 pins. Belgium’s Van kerckhove was second on 566 while Beckel completed the podium of 561.