TWO new winners were crowned during the Sigatoka Electric-sponsored Masters Singles Championship at the Lautoka Bowling Club on Sunday.
David Aitcheson of Sheraton won the men’s division while Elisabeth Mocewai of Suva claimed the women’s division.
With the victory, both have earned a spot to represent Fiji at the World Cup in Warilla, Australia next year.
The Masters Singles Championship started in 1950 with the shield for the men’s division presented by EH McLewain. LJ Smales from Ba won the first event in 1951.
Aitcheson who has been playing the sport for a while said victory was sweet having reached the semi-finals and final in some of the past events.
He said the greens were very difficult which the players had to adjust.
“To actually achieve the title victory now is remarkable,” Aitcheson said.
“The win at Hong Kong Bowls this year was good but playing and winning against the top local bowlers in the country is something else. The greens were a bit difficult but the players adjusted.
“There will be a lot of practice required to play in Warilla. The greens there are faster than what we have here.”
Mocewai who also won her first Masters Singles title said this had set her up to trial for the Commonwealth Games next year.
“Actually I’m excited and happy to win the event,” she said.
“The greens were very challenging and you had to have a lot of patience.”
Results: Men’s Quarter-Finals: David Aitcheson 21 Arun Kumar 14, Munesh Prasad 21 Rajnesh Prasad 7, Dan Lum On 21 Waisea Senibici 19, Ratish Lal 21 Ilisoni Vakatalai 17; Semi-finals: David Aitcheson 21 Ratish Lal 19, Dan Lum On 21 Munesh Prasad 17; Final: David Aitcheson 21 Dan Lum On 11. Women’s Semi-finals: Elisabeth Mocewai 21 Litia Tikoisuva 20, Loretta Kotoisuva 21 Sheral Mar 19; Final: Elisabeth Mocewai 21 Loretta Kotoisuva 15.
