Maltese bowlers win two silver medals at Mediterranean Championships

Maltese bowlers enjoyed a bright start at the Mediterranean Bowling Championships after winning two silver medals in Turkey.

Mauro Anastasi handed Malta its first podium finish of the championships after his second-place finish in the men’s singles event.

Anastasi produced a very steady performance, hitting over 200 pins in all of his six games to finish with a strong total of 1,351 pins and a 225 average.

After two identical scores of 205 in games 1 and 2, Anastasi fired a 247 and 267 to shoot up the ranks to third place after four games.

A 222 and another 205 saw Anastasi overtake Cemal Batu Pinear from Turkey who ended up four pins behind him. 

First place went to the Cypriot Iraklis Kyriakou with an incredible 1,509 total (251 average) that included a perfect 300 game.

Malta’s other male representative, Nicholas Muscat, also had a very good performance, finishing strongly with a fine 249 in the last game that saw him jump up three positions to finish in sixth place.

Earlier in the day, Cynthia Frendo Duca and Sue Abela took part in the female singles.

Frendo Duca ended up in a commendable sixth place, bowling a strong 1,140 total pinfall (190 average), while Sue Abela had a tough start to these championships and ended up in 15th place.

The men’s doubles tournament was up next and here Anastasi teamed up with Muscat.

The Maltese duo put on a very strong showing, posting a score of 2,627 (218.9 average ) to win the silver medal. Anastasi and Muscat finished just 10 pins behind Cyprus (2,637) and 21 ahead of third-placed Spain.

The Maltese duo immediately showed their intentions after placing third after the opening five games.

But then they stepped up a gear, hitting huge games of 254 and 247 respectively to go ahead of previous leaders Spain.

It was only another perfect 300 game from Iraklis from Cyprus that prevented Malta from getting gold. 

Muscat’s 1,385 total was second best of the day, well supported by Anastasi’s 1,242.