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Para bowler Eric Foo earns two honours at
Singapore Disability Sports Awards
SINGAPORE — Para-bowler Eric Foo emerged as the biggest winner at the annual Singapore Disability Sports Awards on Friday (7 August), clinching both the Sportsman of the Year title and the Team of the Year honours with Muhammad Farhan Ismail.
The 34-year-old, who has intellectual impairment, capped a stellar year which saw him winning two golds and a silver at the 2019 Thailand World Para Bowling Championships, and then repeating the feat at the 2019 Philippines World Para Bowling Championships.
Four of his medals were in individual competitions, while the other two were in team events with Farhan.
“We had close fights with the Malaysian para bowlers during the competitions, but we never gave up, and kept fighting all the way to the end,” Foo told Yahoo News Singapore after winning the awards.
“The COVID-19 (pandemic) has caused many events to be cancelled this year, but Farhan and I will continue to train hard and prepare for next year’s Asean Para Games in Vietnam.”Florence Khemlani, president of Bowling Association for the Disabled (Singapore), paid tribute to Foo’s dedication in training.
“He has set an example for his teammates and we are so pleased that he has been recognised for his efforts. For bowling to win in two award categories is testament to the work that the association does and we want to continue developing the sport,” she said.
Syahidah Alim named Sportswoman of the YearWorld No. 1 women’s para-archer Nur Syahidah Alim earned the Sportswoman of the Year honours, after a fairytale year when she won golds at the World Para Archery Championships and the Asian Para Archery Championships.
Her coach Pang Qing Liang also picked up the Coach of the Year (High Performance) award, despite starting coaching just over a year ago. At age 29, he was also the youngest coach to be nominated.
Syahidah and Pang plan to continue their partnership in hopes of achieving a podium finish at the Tokyo Paralympic Games next year.
The 34-year-old, who has intellectual impairment, capped a stellar year which saw him winning two golds and a silver at the 2019 Thailand World Para Bowling Championships, and then repeating the feat at the 2019 Philippines World Para Bowling Championships.
Four of his medals were in individual competitions, while the other two were in team events with Farhan.
“We had close fights with the Malaysian para bowlers during the competitions, but we never gave up, and kept fighting all the way to the end,” Foo told Yahoo News Singapore after winning the awards.
“The COVID-19 (pandemic) has caused many events to be cancelled this year, but Farhan and I will continue to train hard and prepare for next year’s Asean Para Games in Vietnam.”Florence Khemlani, president of Bowling Association for the Disabled (Singapore), paid tribute to Foo’s dedication in training.
“He has set an example for his teammates and we are so pleased that he has been recognised for his efforts. For bowling to win in two award categories is testament to the work that the association does and we want to continue developing the sport,” she said.
Syahidah Alim named Sportswoman of the YearWorld No. 1 women’s para-archer Nur Syahidah Alim earned the Sportswoman of the Year honours, after a fairytale year when she won golds at the World Para Archery Championships and the Asian Para Archery Championships.
Her coach Pang Qing Liang also picked up the Coach of the Year (High Performance) award, despite starting coaching just over a year ago. At age 29, he was also the youngest coach to be nominated.
Syahidah and Pang plan to continue their partnership in hopes of achieving a podium finish at the Tokyo Paralympic Games next year.
Para swimmer Toh Wei Soong was named Sportsboy of the Year for the second year in a row, after he clinched two of the three medals won by Singapore at the 2019 World Para Swimming World Series. He also won two golds at the Japan Para Swimming Championships last year.
Veteran sports administrator Henry Tan was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, for serving as volunteer of Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) from 1974 to 2012, and as the council’s executive director from 2012 until his retirement in 2017.
During that time, he was also a volunteer coach for the wheelchair tennis team, and served as chef de mission for the 2004 Asean Para Games, 2004 Paralympic Games and 2010 Asian Para Games.
Minister commends commitment amid pandemicThis year’s Singapore Disability Sports Awards – the third time it was being held after 2019 and 2008 – was presented by Haw Par Corporation, and was held virtually and streamed live on SDSC’s Facebook page.
Guest-of-honour Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, commended the para-athletes for their commitment to their sport amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite the cancellation of the 2020 Asean Para Games and the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics due to COVID-19, our athletes have continued to adapt and train hard under extraordinary circumstances,” he said during the online ceremony.
“COVID-19 has been tough on all of us, but it also presented us with the opportunity to develop creative ways for persons with disabilities to engage with sports at home. Every one of us is different and special in our own ways; and in our diversity, we will find strength and beauty.”
Veteran sports administrator Henry Tan was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, for serving as volunteer of Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) from 1974 to 2012, and as the council’s executive director from 2012 until his retirement in 2017.
During that time, he was also a volunteer coach for the wheelchair tennis team, and served as chef de mission for the 2004 Asean Para Games, 2004 Paralympic Games and 2010 Asian Para Games.
Minister commends commitment amid pandemicThis year’s Singapore Disability Sports Awards – the third time it was being held after 2019 and 2008 – was presented by Haw Par Corporation, and was held virtually and streamed live on SDSC’s Facebook page.
Guest-of-honour Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, commended the para-athletes for their commitment to their sport amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite the cancellation of the 2020 Asean Para Games and the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics due to COVID-19, our athletes have continued to adapt and train hard under extraordinary circumstances,” he said during the online ceremony.
“COVID-19 has been tough on all of us, but it also presented us with the opportunity to develop creative ways for persons with disabilities to engage with sports at home. Every one of us is different and special in our own ways; and in our diversity, we will find strength and beauty.”
SINGAPORE - Five years ago, para archer Nur Syahidah Alim burst onto the scene with gold medals in the individual compound and mixed team in her first competitive outing at the Asean Para Games (APG).
Her career has seen a meteoric rise since, with her biggest achievement coming in a "breakthrough year" last year when the 34-year-old won a historic gold medal at the World Archery Para Championships in the Netherlands.
Not only did it earn Singapore a spot at the Tokyo Paralympics, but her world title also helped propel her to the top of the world rankings.
To cap off the sterling year, the world No. 1 para archer was on Friday (Aug 7) crowned Sportswoman of the Year at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards (SDSA) presented by Haw Par Corporation.
She emerged the winner among a strong field that comprised Paralympic medallists Yip Pin Xiu (swimming) and Laurentia Tan (equestrian), Diane Neo (bowling), Nur Aini Mohamad Yasli (powerlifting), Nurulasyiqah Mohammad Taha (boccia) and Claire Toh (table tennis).
Syahidah, a first-time recipient, said: "This award shows how much my team and I have achieved in the year.
Her career has seen a meteoric rise since, with her biggest achievement coming in a "breakthrough year" last year when the 34-year-old won a historic gold medal at the World Archery Para Championships in the Netherlands.
Not only did it earn Singapore a spot at the Tokyo Paralympics, but her world title also helped propel her to the top of the world rankings.
To cap off the sterling year, the world No. 1 para archer was on Friday (Aug 7) crowned Sportswoman of the Year at the Singapore Disability Sports Awards (SDSA) presented by Haw Par Corporation.
She emerged the winner among a strong field that comprised Paralympic medallists Yip Pin Xiu (swimming) and Laurentia Tan (equestrian), Diane Neo (bowling), Nur Aini Mohamad Yasli (powerlifting), Nurulasyiqah Mohammad Taha (boccia) and Claire Toh (table tennis).
Syahidah, a first-time recipient, said: "This award shows how much my team and I have achieved in the year.
Para sports: Archer Nur Syahidah Alim,bowler Eric Foo win big at Singapore Disability Sports Awards
"This will really give me motivation to do even better and achieve more milestones for Singapore in the years to come."
One of those milestones could be reached at next year's Paralympics, where she is targeting Singapore's first-ever medal in the sport.
While Syahidah, who reached the quarter-finals in Rio 2016, will have to wait another year to compete at the Aug 24-Sept 5 Tokyo Games next year after it was postponed owing to Covid-19, she is taking the extra time in her stride.
"It gives everyone a fair playing field to prepare for the Games and at the same time, there's that peace of mind that we are competing in a safe environment," said the athlete, who has cerebral palsy.
"With the time given to us, it's an opportunity to prepare as much as possible for the Games."
Bowler Eric Foo, 32, was named the Sportsman of the Year after a fruitful season that saw him bag two gold medals (mixed singles TPB4 and mixed doubles TPB4) and a silver (all events mixed TPB4) at the Thailand leg of the World Para Bowling Tour Series last year.
He also claimed two golds (men's singles TPB4 and men's all events TPB4) and one bronze (men's doubles TPB4) at the Philippines leg of the series last year.
Foo, who has an intellectual impairment, also bagged the Team of the Year award with Muhammad Farhan Ismail. The duo won the mixed doubles and men's doubles events at the series in Thailand and Philippines respectively.
After missing out on the APG this year, which was postponed twice before it was cancelled owing to the pandemic, Foo is gunning for honours in next year's Games in Vietnam.
He said: "We have trained quite hard and at least we won the two gold medals in Thailand and then in the Philippines. We were hoping that these Games won't be cancelled, but we will continue to train hard for the next Games."
The virtual awards ceremony also saw swimmer Toh Wei Soong picking up the Sportsboy of the Year accolade for the second year running for his achievements at the World Para Swimming World Series and Japan Para Swimming Championships last year.
Nine winners were honoured at Friday's ceremony, which was supported by Haw Par Corporation with its $120,000 donation to the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC). Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, who was the guest of honour, lauded the athletes for continuing to "train hard under extraordinary circumstances" despite the cancellation of the APG and postponement of the Paralympics.
"To our athletes, we hope you stay motivated and encouraged. As you resume training and gear up towards the next competition, you can be sure that we will cheer you on as One Team Singapore."
SDSC president Kevin Wong said: "As we prepare to celebrate the nation's 55th birthday, we would also like to take this opportunity to take stock of how far we have come as one community, and how much more we can strive to achieve.
One of those milestones could be reached at next year's Paralympics, where she is targeting Singapore's first-ever medal in the sport.
While Syahidah, who reached the quarter-finals in Rio 2016, will have to wait another year to compete at the Aug 24-Sept 5 Tokyo Games next year after it was postponed owing to Covid-19, she is taking the extra time in her stride.
"It gives everyone a fair playing field to prepare for the Games and at the same time, there's that peace of mind that we are competing in a safe environment," said the athlete, who has cerebral palsy.
"With the time given to us, it's an opportunity to prepare as much as possible for the Games."
Bowler Eric Foo, 32, was named the Sportsman of the Year after a fruitful season that saw him bag two gold medals (mixed singles TPB4 and mixed doubles TPB4) and a silver (all events mixed TPB4) at the Thailand leg of the World Para Bowling Tour Series last year.
He also claimed two golds (men's singles TPB4 and men's all events TPB4) and one bronze (men's doubles TPB4) at the Philippines leg of the series last year.
Foo, who has an intellectual impairment, also bagged the Team of the Year award with Muhammad Farhan Ismail. The duo won the mixed doubles and men's doubles events at the series in Thailand and Philippines respectively.
After missing out on the APG this year, which was postponed twice before it was cancelled owing to the pandemic, Foo is gunning for honours in next year's Games in Vietnam.
He said: "We have trained quite hard and at least we won the two gold medals in Thailand and then in the Philippines. We were hoping that these Games won't be cancelled, but we will continue to train hard for the next Games."
The virtual awards ceremony also saw swimmer Toh Wei Soong picking up the Sportsboy of the Year accolade for the second year running for his achievements at the World Para Swimming World Series and Japan Para Swimming Championships last year.
Nine winners were honoured at Friday's ceremony, which was supported by Haw Par Corporation with its $120,000 donation to the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC). Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, who was the guest of honour, lauded the athletes for continuing to "train hard under extraordinary circumstances" despite the cancellation of the APG and postponement of the Paralympics.
"To our athletes, we hope you stay motivated and encouraged. As you resume training and gear up towards the next competition, you can be sure that we will cheer you on as One Team Singapore."
SDSC president Kevin Wong said: "As we prepare to celebrate the nation's 55th birthday, we would also like to take this opportunity to take stock of how far we have come as one community, and how much more we can strive to achieve.
'Not a sacrifice, but a gift': Joy amid the struggle for mothers of children with intellectual disabilitiesSINGAPORE: Rejected by schoolmates, ignored by relatives, misunderstood by teachers.
In a society so used to uniformity, Siti Nurhamizah was different.
"I had a friend who asked if there was any medicine to cure her 'sickness'," recalled Nurhamizah's mother, Mdm Rosmawati Rusli. "I said it's not a sickness, it’s something she has within her.
"Being a parent of three kids with special needs made me stronger to face whatever I had to face, especially when people judge me and my kids."
Along with her two siblings Muhammad Hakim, 19, and Siti Nurhazimah, 17, 21-year-old Nurhamizah has what is known as global development delay (GDD), a condition which can affect aspects of development such as cognitive, speech and motor skills.
While she is used to others labelling her children, Mdm Rosmawati prefers to define them differently.
“I told my husband: 'You’re not handsome, I’m not pretty, but our kids are perfect,'" said the 46-year-old mum.
Despite being born with mild cerebral palsy, Nurhamizah was a very active toddler, recalled her mother.
"She looked normal apart from her feet being curved slightly inwards," explained Mdm Rosmawati. "But I had a niece who was her age, the girl could talk well when she was two to three years old. Back then, my mother would complain and say that she would talk to my girl and get no response.
"We didn’t really panic yet but when beginning nursery, she still couldn’t talk well - her words were not clear."
Acting on the advice of the nursery's principal, Mdm Rosmawati sent Nurhamizah to a psychologist at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, where she was assessed to have GDD.
Coming to terms with their child having an intellectual disability can be a struggle for mothers.
This was the case for Mdm Shankari Valareandan, when she found out her eldest daughter Priyadashani had mild intellectual disability which manifests itself in lower than average IQ and learning difficulties.
"It came to a point that I was coaching my child and she was failing," recalled the single mother of three. "She looked normal and was able to get instructions and carry out instructions - so why was this problem surfacing?
In a society so used to uniformity, Siti Nurhamizah was different.
"I had a friend who asked if there was any medicine to cure her 'sickness'," recalled Nurhamizah's mother, Mdm Rosmawati Rusli. "I said it's not a sickness, it’s something she has within her.
"Being a parent of three kids with special needs made me stronger to face whatever I had to face, especially when people judge me and my kids."
Along with her two siblings Muhammad Hakim, 19, and Siti Nurhazimah, 17, 21-year-old Nurhamizah has what is known as global development delay (GDD), a condition which can affect aspects of development such as cognitive, speech and motor skills.
While she is used to others labelling her children, Mdm Rosmawati prefers to define them differently.
“I told my husband: 'You’re not handsome, I’m not pretty, but our kids are perfect,'" said the 46-year-old mum.
Despite being born with mild cerebral palsy, Nurhamizah was a very active toddler, recalled her mother.
"She looked normal apart from her feet being curved slightly inwards," explained Mdm Rosmawati. "But I had a niece who was her age, the girl could talk well when she was two to three years old. Back then, my mother would complain and say that she would talk to my girl and get no response.
"We didn’t really panic yet but when beginning nursery, she still couldn’t talk well - her words were not clear."
Acting on the advice of the nursery's principal, Mdm Rosmawati sent Nurhamizah to a psychologist at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, where she was assessed to have GDD.
Coming to terms with their child having an intellectual disability can be a struggle for mothers.
This was the case for Mdm Shankari Valareandan, when she found out her eldest daughter Priyadashani had mild intellectual disability which manifests itself in lower than average IQ and learning difficulties.
"It came to a point that I was coaching my child and she was failing," recalled the single mother of three. "She looked normal and was able to get instructions and carry out instructions - so why was this problem surfacing?
Singapore's Special Olympics runners Siti Nurhayati Ali Aksar Khan (left) and Priyadashani Jeyabalan during a training session at Bishan Stadium. (Photo: Matthew Mohan)
"When I met up with her teacher, she did advise me that it’s better to put her in a special education school," said Mdm Shankari.
"But as a mum from a typical Indian family, I was not able to accept it. I would just cry and feel totally down ... Priya was always my angel ... she was there during my hard times, she could understand my problems, why couldn’t I understand her problems? I couldn’t digest it."
It took a few months of careful research and close conversations with a friend who was a Special Education teacher for Mdm Shankari to come to terms with Priyadashani's condition.
After Priyadashani had completed PSLE, Mdm Shankari then enrolled her in special education school Grace Orchard.
On the other hand, the diagnosis of Nurhamizah's GDD did not faze the indomitable Mdm Rosmawati, who quit her job to look after her daughter full-time.
"I felt that God was blessing us by giving her to us," she said. "I had a new title as a mother. Certain things (like a job) you have to let go."
"But as a mum from a typical Indian family, I was not able to accept it. I would just cry and feel totally down ... Priya was always my angel ... she was there during my hard times, she could understand my problems, why couldn’t I understand her problems? I couldn’t digest it."
It took a few months of careful research and close conversations with a friend who was a Special Education teacher for Mdm Shankari to come to terms with Priyadashani's condition.
After Priyadashani had completed PSLE, Mdm Shankari then enrolled her in special education school Grace Orchard.
On the other hand, the diagnosis of Nurhamizah's GDD did not faze the indomitable Mdm Rosmawati, who quit her job to look after her daughter full-time.
"I felt that God was blessing us by giving her to us," she said. "I had a new title as a mother. Certain things (like a job) you have to let go."
But it was also in a mainstream school where Mdm Rosmawati witnessed her daughter running into difficulties.
As Mdm Rosmawati couldn't send Nurhamizah to a school for children with special needs yet - it would not accept the girl till after completing nursery and kindergarten - she had to send her daughter to a mainstream school.
"One teacher told me off: 'Our school is expensive, you know your kid is special, why don’t you send her to a special education school?'" said Mdm Rosmawati.
"Some of the teachers kept on complaining, saying: 'Your kid cannot do this, cannot do that.' But even if the books were blank, I didn’t mind ... as long as she could learn to interact with others," she recalled.
But while Nurhamizah was happy to get to know her schoolmates, they were not as open to interacting with her.
"She wanted to mix around. I let her take the school bus and I saw her running here and there, wanting to join the kids when they played but they didn't let her join," said Mdm Rosmawati. "I felt sad but she is very strong. They pushed her away, but even the next day she still wanted to go to school.
"I learnt from her too."
As Mdm Rosmawati couldn't send Nurhamizah to a school for children with special needs yet - it would not accept the girl till after completing nursery and kindergarten - she had to send her daughter to a mainstream school.
"One teacher told me off: 'Our school is expensive, you know your kid is special, why don’t you send her to a special education school?'" said Mdm Rosmawati.
"Some of the teachers kept on complaining, saying: 'Your kid cannot do this, cannot do that.' But even if the books were blank, I didn’t mind ... as long as she could learn to interact with others," she recalled.
But while Nurhamizah was happy to get to know her schoolmates, they were not as open to interacting with her.
"She wanted to mix around. I let her take the school bus and I saw her running here and there, wanting to join the kids when they played but they didn't let her join," said Mdm Rosmawati. "I felt sad but she is very strong. They pushed her away, but even the next day she still wanted to go to school.
"I learnt from her too."
A freak umbrella accident robbed him of much of his eyesight 33 years ago.
But his disability has not stopped visually impaired national para bowler Mohamad Ismail (above) from achieving his dreams.
Having won the top spot in the singles event at the 2015 Asean Para Games, his next biggest challenge will be at the IBSA Tenpin Bowling Singles World Championships in Warsaw, Poland.
The event, which starts tomorrow and is the first singles world championships for the blind and partially sighted, is hosted by Start, the Polish Sports Association for persons with Disabilities.
"I am honoured to be the only bowler from Singapore to be selected for this prestigious event," said Ismail.
"The biggest opponent I will face there is myself and, if I'm able to overcome that, results will come naturally."
The 33-year-old made his debut in the 2010 Asian Para Games in China and nabbed the doubles bronze. He has been on the rise since, even clinching back-to-back singles golds in the Asean Para Games.
But his disability has not stopped visually impaired national para bowler Mohamad Ismail (above) from achieving his dreams.
Having won the top spot in the singles event at the 2015 Asean Para Games, his next biggest challenge will be at the IBSA Tenpin Bowling Singles World Championships in Warsaw, Poland.
The event, which starts tomorrow and is the first singles world championships for the blind and partially sighted, is hosted by Start, the Polish Sports Association for persons with Disabilities.
"I am honoured to be the only bowler from Singapore to be selected for this prestigious event," said Ismail.
"The biggest opponent I will face there is myself and, if I'm able to overcome that, results will come naturally."
The 33-year-old made his debut in the 2010 Asian Para Games in China and nabbed the doubles bronze. He has been on the rise since, even clinching back-to-back singles golds in the Asean Para Games.
Ismail for World Championship
Ismail will be leaving for Poland tonight, alongside his coach Sam Goh, who has been mentoring him since 2014.
"I will be letting nature take its course but, of course, a medal will be nice no matter what the colour," Ismail added.
"I want to be motivated and prove to every visually impaired individual that you do not need to have perfect eyesight to excel."
"I will be letting nature take its course but, of course, a medal will be nice no matter what the colour," Ismail added.
"I want to be motivated and prove to every visually impaired individual that you do not need to have perfect eyesight to excel."
Singapore bowlers off to a bang with three golds
Rausyan, Ismail and Anuar fly Singapore's flag high with three golds at the lanes
He bowls, plays badminton and table tennis, among many other sports.
But bowling is the sport Mohamad Rausyan chose to represent Singapore in at the 8th Asean Para Games (APG) and, yesterday, his decision was vindicated.
The 21-year-old won a gold medal on his APG debut at Temasek Club with his tally of 1,092 pinfalls in the mixed singles for sport class TPB4, for people with intellectual disabilities,
It was the first of three gold medals for the Republic yesterday as Mohamed Ismail Hussain and Anuar Saaid also struck gold in the TPB3 and TPB8 categories, respectively.
"I'm happy. I enjoyed the bowling today," Rausyan said after his win.
"Home support helps because when they have full support, they will motivate themselves to go all out to do their best," bowling team manager Darren Khemlani said.
Rausyan's teammate, Eric Foo Ming De, made it a 1-2 for Singapore with his score of 1,079 pinfalls.
Two other Singaporean bowlers - Muhammad Farhan Ismail (990) and Nixon Fan (926) - finished third and fourth respectively, but the bronze was awarded to fifth-placed Ye Phone Maung (730) of Myanmar because each country can win only a maximum of two medals for individual events.
Khemlani was thrilled with his charges' performances.
"I wouldn't say it's a surprise because the four of them have been training very hard for this competition," he said.
"I came into the APG without high expectations because I didn't want to give them pressure. So I'm very happy with the results of the first day."
For Ismail, who was a double medallist at the 2011 APG in Solo, Indonesia, winning the gold medal in the TPB3 category with 1,137 pinfalls was a significant achievement.
He bowls, plays badminton and table tennis, among many other sports.
But bowling is the sport Mohamad Rausyan chose to represent Singapore in at the 8th Asean Para Games (APG) and, yesterday, his decision was vindicated.
The 21-year-old won a gold medal on his APG debut at Temasek Club with his tally of 1,092 pinfalls in the mixed singles for sport class TPB4, for people with intellectual disabilities,
It was the first of three gold medals for the Republic yesterday as Mohamed Ismail Hussain and Anuar Saaid also struck gold in the TPB3 and TPB8 categories, respectively.
"I'm happy. I enjoyed the bowling today," Rausyan said after his win.
"Home support helps because when they have full support, they will motivate themselves to go all out to do their best," bowling team manager Darren Khemlani said.
Rausyan's teammate, Eric Foo Ming De, made it a 1-2 for Singapore with his score of 1,079 pinfalls.
Two other Singaporean bowlers - Muhammad Farhan Ismail (990) and Nixon Fan (926) - finished third and fourth respectively, but the bronze was awarded to fifth-placed Ye Phone Maung (730) of Myanmar because each country can win only a maximum of two medals for individual events.
Khemlani was thrilled with his charges' performances.
"I wouldn't say it's a surprise because the four of them have been training very hard for this competition," he said.
"I came into the APG without high expectations because I didn't want to give them pressure. So I'm very happy with the results of the first day."
For Ismail, who was a double medallist at the 2011 APG in Solo, Indonesia, winning the gold medal in the TPB3 category with 1,137 pinfalls was a significant achievement.
Malaysia's Zainul Akmal Siran (1,100) and Ku Izham Ku Harun (1.056) finished second and third, respectively.
"It's definitely harder (this time) but I would say it's rewarding because I'm bowling on home ground and the whole of Singapore is behind me," said Ismail.
The bowler is eyeing more success in the doubles and trios events, where he hopes he and his teammates can spur each other on during the competition.
"It's definitely harder (this time) but I would say it's rewarding because I'm bowling on home ground and the whole of Singapore is behind me," said Ismail.
The bowler is eyeing more success in the doubles and trios events, where he hopes he and his teammates can spur each other on during the competition.
DETERMINED
"We can always count on each other when we are down. When you see that your partner is down, you will be more determined to help bring him up," he said.
While the 32-year-old is hoping for a repeat of his performance in Solo, he is not putting too much pressure on himself.
"I definitely love to repeat whatever I've achieved in Solo, but I'm still trying my best to focus on the process and let the outcome take care of itself," he said.
"I will try and keep myself composed and concentrate until the very last shot."
Meanwhile, Anuar bowled 838 pinfalls from six games to win the gold in the TPB8 category.
"This medal is not only for me, but also for everyone who came to support me," said the 53-year-old, who won a bronze at the 2011 edition.
"Home support helps because when they have full support, they will motivate themselves to go all out to do their best."
"We can always count on each other when we are down. When you see that your partner is down, you will be more determined to help bring him up," he said.
While the 32-year-old is hoping for a repeat of his performance in Solo, he is not putting too much pressure on himself.
"I definitely love to repeat whatever I've achieved in Solo, but I'm still trying my best to focus on the process and let the outcome take care of itself," he said.
"I will try and keep myself composed and concentrate until the very last shot."
Meanwhile, Anuar bowled 838 pinfalls from six games to win the gold in the TPB8 category.
"This medal is not only for me, but also for everyone who came to support me," said the 53-year-old, who won a bronze at the 2011 edition.
"Home support helps because when they have full support, they will motivate themselves to go all out to do their best."
Bowler Ong wants to win at home
He's had success at Asian level, but Ong's excited at prospect of a win at home
Wearing an intense look, he stepped up with a seasoned flick of his right wrist, sent the ball hurtling down the lane.
First, a strike, then a spare, and then a strike again.
Not bad for a 63-year-old visually impaired bowler.
Robert Ong is good, and he is part of the Singapore bowling team that will look for gold at the week-long Asean Para Games, which the Republic are hosting for the first time from tomorrow.
Ong has spent a large part of his life in the sport.
He has managed a bowling alley and opened a pro shop, and it seems fitting that he will now represent his country in the sport he loves.
Wearing an intense look, he stepped up with a seasoned flick of his right wrist, sent the ball hurtling down the lane.
First, a strike, then a spare, and then a strike again.
Not bad for a 63-year-old visually impaired bowler.
Robert Ong is good, and he is part of the Singapore bowling team that will look for gold at the week-long Asean Para Games, which the Republic are hosting for the first time from tomorrow.
Ong has spent a large part of his life in the sport.
He has managed a bowling alley and opened a pro shop, and it seems fitting that he will now represent his country in the sport he loves.
While many others would have given up on their sporting dream with the visual disability - Ong suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease - he tried his best to somehow use it to his advantage, and succeeded.
"My vision is now that of tunnel vision," he explained to The New Paper recently.
"I was diagnosed with this problem in 1982 when I was having a routine medical check-up during reservist training.
"Basically, our eyes are surrounded by cameras and I was told that my cameras were damaged.
"I did pause for a while and wonder why this would happen to me. In my whole family, no one wore glasses but I was the only one who needed them in Primary 5!
"I finally accepted that if it's arranged by God, to just take it.
"Am I supposed to just stay sad about it for the rest of my life? What about the people that have it worse than me and are blind?
"Everything is fated so you just have to look on the positive side."
Being an optimist has certainly served Ong well.
Last year, he was part of the trios team that won a bronze medal at the 2nd Asian Para Games in Incheon.
Although that was a major achievement considering it came on a bigger stage, Ong is looking forward to more at the upcoming Games.
The father-of-two said: "I'm very excited because at the age of 63, I'm very proud to be able to represent my country.
"Last year, we went to (South) Korea for the Asian Para Games and came back with a bronze, but this time it's more exciting because it's on home ground.
"My aim is to win a gold medal. We are celebrating SG50 this year and that's the only way I can repay the country for selecting me and giving me this chance."
For Ong, who has been bowling for 41 years, there will also be the added motivation of his loved ones cheering him on from the stands at the Temasek Club.
"They (his children) are very proud of me because, all along, I've been in the bowling fraternity but I never represented the country till recently," he said.
"I'm over the moon to be competing on home soil and I'm looking forward to the support of my family and relatives, who have all said they will be at the bowling centre to cheer me on.
"I'm thankful to the Bowling Association for the Disabled and Singapore Disability Sports Council for the belief they have shown and giving me this chance.
"The message I always try to pass on is that disability and age are no barriers in sport. Whatever disability, don't despair."
"My vision is now that of tunnel vision," he explained to The New Paper recently.
"I was diagnosed with this problem in 1982 when I was having a routine medical check-up during reservist training.
"Basically, our eyes are surrounded by cameras and I was told that my cameras were damaged.
"I did pause for a while and wonder why this would happen to me. In my whole family, no one wore glasses but I was the only one who needed them in Primary 5!
"I finally accepted that if it's arranged by God, to just take it.
"Am I supposed to just stay sad about it for the rest of my life? What about the people that have it worse than me and are blind?
"Everything is fated so you just have to look on the positive side."
Being an optimist has certainly served Ong well.
Last year, he was part of the trios team that won a bronze medal at the 2nd Asian Para Games in Incheon.
Although that was a major achievement considering it came on a bigger stage, Ong is looking forward to more at the upcoming Games.
The father-of-two said: "I'm very excited because at the age of 63, I'm very proud to be able to represent my country.
"Last year, we went to (South) Korea for the Asian Para Games and came back with a bronze, but this time it's more exciting because it's on home ground.
"My aim is to win a gold medal. We are celebrating SG50 this year and that's the only way I can repay the country for selecting me and giving me this chance."
For Ong, who has been bowling for 41 years, there will also be the added motivation of his loved ones cheering him on from the stands at the Temasek Club.
"They (his children) are very proud of me because, all along, I've been in the bowling fraternity but I never represented the country till recently," he said.
"I'm over the moon to be competing on home soil and I'm looking forward to the support of my family and relatives, who have all said they will be at the bowling centre to cheer me on.
"I'm thankful to the Bowling Association for the Disabled and Singapore Disability Sports Council for the belief they have shown and giving me this chance.
"The message I always try to pass on is that disability and age are no barriers in sport. Whatever disability, don't despair."
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