Abela credits mental strength behind Euro Seniors success

Will not compete at Mediterranean Championships

Malta tenpin bowling great Sue Abela collected another remarkable result in her distinguished career when she won the European Seniors Bowling tournament in Deurne, Belgium last weekend.

Abela showed all her mental resilience to lay down a real statement that she will be a force to be reckoned with in the International Seniors Bowling Tour this year.

The Maltese veteran bowler was on form right from the first game as she managed to build a commanding lead after the opening six games in the qualifying session to amass a total of 1,387 pins.

Abela continued to perform solidly to maintain her top position through the first phase of the competition to go on and secure a spot in Sunday’s final round.

During the semi-finals, where participants were required to bowl four games, Abela pulled out another standout performance by scoring a series of 898 to retain the top spot in the competition.

In the final, Abela hit scores of 238, 224 and 228 to finish with a total score of 690 that put her well clear of her rivals and secured first place.

Britain’s Gaye McCully took second place with 636 while his fellow countryman Kimberley Oakley completed the podium on 610.

Signficant win

Abela’s victory in the European Seniors Bowling tournament in Deurne takes further significance when one considers that at the moment local bowlers do not have any proper training premises as the Eden Superbowl is currently being renovated.

“I believe that this has been one of the most significant victories in my career, particularly given the situation of our sport on our island at the moment,” Abela told the Times of Malta.

“I have been planning to compete in this tournament since last January and having no proper premises to train in I knew that I had to challenge myself and think outside the box in terms of my preparation of the tournament.

“And given all the challenges I had to face, for me this tournament victory is pretty much special.”

Turning her sights on the future, Abela revealed that she has decided not to form part of the national team that will be competing in this year’s Mediterranean Championships and the European women’s championship.

“It was not an easy decision especially the Mediterranean Championships because this one is very for me particularly because I have enjoyed so much success throughout my career. But given the limited premises we have to play and more importantly the fact that we are not competing in leagues or tournaments, I feel that it would not be right for me to compete.

“I have always been a very competitive athlete, and when I take part in tournaments, I do that with the intent to win and not just participate. Unfortunately, this year I cannot prepare in the way I want so I felt it would be better if I don’t take part.”