Clara Guerrero claims two gold medals
August 10, 2009
Imagine competing at the highest level any sport could offer; competing in a tournament with the world’s best players.
That is more then most people ever dream about; now imagine in that same dream you came home with two of the most prestigious gold medals any sport can offer.
Columbia 300’s Clara Guerrero lived that dream Aug. 2, 2009, at the2009 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Women’s Championships in Las Vegas. The tournament held every two years and this year was the first time professionals were allowed to compete.
The tournament consists of a grueling eight days of competition in which players bowl six games in each event. First singles, then doubles, trios and then followed by the Team event. Three medals (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) in each event are available along with the same three medals for All Events. The All Events Gold Medal has long been considered the most prestigious medal a bowler can receive because it combines all the events into one with the total pinfall leader after twenty-four games earning the Gold Medal.
Clara’s first Gold Medal game in this event and by earning this medal she becomes the Champion Bowler in the world for 2009. Clara, a Columbia 300 pro staff member distanced herself from the field early and dominated using primarily three high performance balls which included the Momentum, the Power Swing and the new Full Swing which was released just a week before the tournament on her way to the victory.
“I’m so proud of her, she’s worked so hard on her game the last couple years and she has earned the respect of bowlers all over the world for her talent,” said Columbia 300 Brand Manager Chad Murphy. “Clara has been working with us as the face of our Hispanic marketing initiative where we are speaking to Hispanics and trying to grow the sport of bowling at the same time. Her involvement has been great for the sport; don’t get me wrong, she’s a great bowler and this proves it but I think she is the ultimate ambassador for the game. I couldn’t be happier for her family both here in the states and back home in Columbia.”
Twenty-four hours after winning the all-events gold medal, Guerrero claimed her second gold in the Masters. By winning the All Events Gold along with 15 other qualifiers Clara got to come back for an elimination style event on the last day of these championships where again three medals are awarded based on finish.
Guerrero defeated Malaysia’s Siti Safiyah Amirah 3-2 in a best of five match; additional wins against Indonesia’s Putty Armein (3-1) and Korea’s Son Yun-Hee (3-0) wrapped put Guerrero’s gold at the Cashman Center.
“I felt really relaxed and excited because I had won all-events,” she said. “And I just wanted to come in and throw good shots during the Masters event. I received a ton of calls, emails and texts after the winning the all events and it gave me even more confidence going into the Masters”
In addition to her dual medal win, Guerrero set WTBA World Women’s Championship history with an 805 series (248, 268 and 289) in her set against Son.
“I feel really good right now, and I think I’m bowling the best I ever have,” she said. “I am a little more confident … but each tournament is different. I just try to stay focused and continue to rely on the things I’ve learned. I’m also proud and excited to be a part of the Columbia 300 team, alongside other pro staff members such as Chris and Lynda Barnes as well as Wendy Macpherson I’ve learned a lot of the past couple years and I’m just thankful it’s paid off with these two medals. I’m unbelievable humbled by all the support I’ve had. I just love playing the game and I’m going to do my best in the next few weeks in trying to qualify for the PBA Women’s series next week during the U.S. Open. I can’t wait to get started.”
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