Stage Set for World Singles Champion of Champions

With the global pandemic easing and the draw now complete, the stage is set at Naenae Bowling Club as New Zealand plays host to the 2022 World Singles Champion of Champions later this month (19-25 November).

The field will see 30 countries represented on the world stage, with each country’s respective national champion making the trip to contest a world title in Wellington. The men’s line-up will see all 30 countries in action, while the women’s discipline will be a battle between 16.

The format will comprise 10 qualifying games (drawn randomly) in section play, with the top qualifier in the men’s and top two in the women’s sections progressing directly to the semi-final. Other qualifiers will include the next two best placings in each of the two men’s sections and the next four best placings in the sole women’s section – advancing through to a playoffs draw in a bid to secure their spot on the other side of the semi-finals draw.

Notable names include England’s Sam Tolchard, a four-time commonwealth games’ medallist – including a silver and bronze in the pairs and fours in Birmingham this year, prolific Australian champion and reigning champion Lee Schraner, the well-performed Jersey prospect Ross Davis and local campaigner Kelvin Scott.

Recently added to the Bowls New Zealand High Performance Squad, Scott’s efforts in recent seasons have been nothing short of remarkable, with a highlight win in last year’s national men’s singles securing him the opportunity to show his wares on the world stage in the coming days. With expert touch and decades of experience to boot, Scott will undoubtedly be out to show he can mix it with the best around – eyeing up a podium finish and pushing his claim for further honors.

In the women’s field, New Zealand Blackjack Tayla Bruce will certainly be one to watch – recently returning from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games with two bronze medals and a strong track record on the domestic singles circuit, Bruce will be no stranger to elite competition and will be expected to be challenging at the pointy end of the tournament as the week progresses.

Australia’s two-time commonwealth games gold medallist and double world champion Carla Krizanic will also be crossing the ditch, looking to match the efforts of her fellow country representative Kylie Whitehead – the most recent winner in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 canceled events.

Despite recently calling time on her international career, Krizanic,…