Darren Ong Is The New World Champion

2023 IBF World Bowling Championships

Team Singapore wrapped up the 2023 IBF World Bowling Championships campaign with 2 golds, 3 silvers, and 4 bronzes. The competition, which took place in Kuwait from 3 to 15 October 2023, also witnessed significant contributions by our alumni to the team’s success, with 10 out of the 12 bowlers hailing from Sports School.

They include the all-Sports School men’s team, consisting of Basil Ng Jui Chang, Darren Ong Wei Siong, Joel Tan Eng An, Muhammad Jaris Goh Ali A G, Nu'Man Syahmi Yusri, and Timothy Theodore Tham Fu Rong. Additionally, the women's team featured our alumnae such as Charmaine Chang Yu Qian, Colleen Pee, Daphne Tan Shi Jing, and New Hui Fen.

The highlight of the World Bowling Championships was the 1-2 finish by Sports School alumni Darren Ong and Muhammad Jaris Goh. In the Men’s Singles event, Darren was declared the new world champion after defeating Jaris with scores of 184-179 and 208-164. This marked a historic moment as it was the first time a male Singaporean bowler has claimed the Men’s Singles title at the World Championships since Remy Ong's victory in South Korea in 2006.

On his achievement, Darren, who had won his first individual international title in the Philippine International Open in May, was still in shock when interviewed by The Straits Times: “I think it hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I do want to thank my team, especially Jaris, who I bowled against in the final."

The dynamic duo continued their winning streak when they partnered to clinch the bronze medal in the Men's Doubles. Darren's exceptional performance also earned him a 3rd-place finish in the Men's All Events.
Meanwhile, alumna Daphne Tan and her sister Cherie triumphed over their compatriots and alumnae Colleen Pee and New Hui Fen in the Women's Doubles final, resulting in a remarkable 1-2 finish for Singapore.

The women's team also secured a bronze medal in the Team of 5 event.

Hui Fen's stellar performance throughout the competition earned her a well-deserved 3rd-place position in the Women’s All Events.


Collectively, the team's efforts also led to a 2nd-place ranking in the women's overall standings.