PETALING JAYA: National elite bowler Hee Kar Yen stormed into the girls’ singles semi-finals in the World Youth Championships in Bangkok yesterday.

Kar Yen topped the combined standings of two squads with 1,298 pinfalls over six games at the Blu-O Paragon Bowling Centre.

Kim Seon-jeong of South Korea (1,291), Juliana Franco of Colombia (1,280) and Cristina Rodriguez of Puerto Rico (1,260) complete the semi-final lineup.

Kar Yen will face Rodriguez tomorrow for a spot in the final.

“Our bowlers generally did well but Jacqueline (Jenelee Sijore) didn’t take her chance to qualify for the semis,” said team manager Cheah Ban Cheng.

World championships gold medallist Jacqueline could only finish 11th in the combined standings on 1,216 pinfalls after a disastrous 167 start.

Kar Yen was quick off the starting block as she reeled in a 214 in the first game. A consistent second game produced a 212 score but a hiccup in the third with a 195 threw a spanner in the works – momentarily.

After reeling in 215 in the fourth game, coach Ben Heng made some changes to her equipment and this resulted in a 269 fifth game before wrapping up with a 194.

“It’s a good sign for us in our hunt for medals but our girls must be consistent and not miss any opportunity to get high scores,” said Ban Cheng.

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