Bong makes a coup in world bowling

MANILA, Philippines - Bowler Bong Coo has toppled so many records and recorded so many victories that she has lost count of them. But if there’s one win that she considers extra special, it’s her exploits in Venezuela more than three decades ago.

“Actually, I’ve got too many great moments, and each is very memorable,” said Coo. “But my greatest was in the World FIQ Championships in Caracas in 1979 when I broke my own Guinness world record and won the gold medal in the All Events.”

She was the only Asian to win a gold in the quadrennial championship, which gathers the best bowlers in the world.

Coo also considers her victory in the World Cup in Bangkok in 1979 as the sweetest, saying: “It took me five years before I could represent the Philippines since I always finished second in the national finals.”

But when she finally made it, Coo won it – in record-breaking fashion.

“It was a different kind of feeling. I felt so accomplished, blessed and fulfilled,” said Co when asked of her thoughts after clinching her biggest win.

She, however, doubts if her feats would ever be matched or even surpassed by our current and future bowlers.

“Not in a lifetime. I, myself, can’t imagine how I was able to do it. God has been very good to me and He has blessed me with so many victories. He is an awesome God,” said Coo.

But she believes Filipino athletes, not just the bowlers, have got what it takes to be world champions.

“I’m sure we can still win with dedication, discipline and determination and lots of prayers,” she said. “But the athlete must have the passion and must love what he/she is doing to accomplish his/her goals.”

In return, she shares her expertise and talent with the younger generation through coaching. She has also batted for the inclusion of bowling in the school curriculum to further promote the sport.

“Pay it forward. Give back and share my talent with others. I’d like to continue with my coaching career and I would like to see bowling become part of the schools’ physical education program, possibly in the UAAP and NCAA,” she said.

“I’d like to see more youth get involved in the sport,” said Coo, who handles the PE of UP College of Human Kinetics in bowling the last six years. She also teaches in Letran the last three years.

“My target is to convince more schools to take up the sport, especially in the girls’ college level,” said Coo.

Despite her countless achievements, Coo continues to dream big and in fact planning to train again for another mission.

“I am still bowling, but in the seniors division,” she said. “I would like to win one international seniors tournament this year or next year so I am seriously thinking of training again to achieve this goal.”