DIANDRA THE MAGNIFICENT
Diandra Asbaty, 24, of Dyer, Indiana looks well set on course to successfully defend her 2004 World Ranking Masters title, won on lanes in Moscow, Russia after dominating the final eight games of the 24-game qualifying sessions with an exceptional 1994 series to top all scores on 5458. That 1994 was set on the challenging mixed pattern, with one lane dressed to short oil, the other long. A bonus of $1,000 for the highest on the squad and another thousand for top qualifying score over the 24 games quickly passed into Abaty's purse when presented by the Asian Bowling Federation's Mrs Vivien Fung.
"I win tournaments because I lose tournaments," explained Asbaty. "I learn so much from a loss that it makes me win. People constantly remind me of the Masters here in 2003, where I didn't play very well, but I'm a much better bowler because of that experience.
"My coach, Jeri Edwards, and I have learned a lot over the past few days. I was OK, but I didn't make the most of it until today."
For the remaining quarters, semis and finals, the format will switch to head-to-head, best-of-three games. Asbaty's opener will be against Colombia's Sara Vargas, currently an employee here at the Kegel Training Center. "I've never played Vargas head-to-head," explained Asbaty. "She'll bowl her game, and I'll bowl mine. We have met when she bowled for Wichita State University and played for the University of Nebraska."
Asked if she fancies her chances of the top place on the podium on Saturday, Asbaty replied: "If it's meant for me, I'm going to win."
Up until recently, the ranking system for the American zone has not been effective. "I'm disappointed that there are not more of the better players from the United States," Asbaty added. "But now that there is a more open system the better players should come through."
Asbaty got her place in this year's field through the host's invitation, not because she is the defending champion.
Finals action commences at 09:00 on Friday morning with the following ladies' matches:
Kamilla Kjeldsen, Denmark vs Martina Beckel, Germany
Diandra Asbaty, United States vs Sara Vargas, Colombia
Reija Lunden, Finland vs Wendy Chai, Malaysia
Helen Johnsson, Sweden vs Clara Guerro, Colombia.
 

LADIES' SQUAD 3 - MIXED PATTERN
Third 8 of 24 games