<p>Akaash Ashok Kumar emerged champion in the Uniply 29th National Tenpin Bowling Championships, putting an end to Karnataka’s 11-year wait for the title here at Amoeba on Saturday.</p>.<p>Up against former national champion Dhruv Sarda of Delhi in the final, Akaash dished out a clinical performance to secure his first national title with a 413-372 win. </p>.<p>The last bowler from Karnataka who won the championship was Vijay Punjabi back in 2008.</p>.<p>Both Akaash and Dhruv began in fine fashion, but the latter’s consistency handed him the edge at the end of game 1. He was ahead by (232-199) 33 pins.</p>.<p>Although Dhruv made a strong start in game 2, the Delhi bowler couldn’t keep up with his Karnataka counterpart, who stayed solid and never gave his opponent a chance to make a comeback.</p>.<p>Akaash won by eight pins (181-173).</p>.<p>“The only thing missing in my career is the national title and it came today. The whole preparation was to bring Karnataka a title after 11 years. I gave it all and rest is God’s grace,” said a delighted Akaash after the match.</p>.<p>Akaash finished with 6608 pinfalls at the average of 206.50, while Dhruv had 6554 pinfalls at 204.81.</p>.<p>In the women’s section, Tamil Nadu’s Sabeena Athica clinched her 10th national title with a dominating 378-266 win over Sumathi Nallabantu of Telangana.</p>.<p>In the final, Sabeena led 157-128 after game 1. She was even more devastating the second, outclassing Sumathi (221-138) to wear the crown.</p>.<p>Earlier in the stepladder round, played based on cumulative pinfall of two games, Karnataka’s Kishan R defeated his state-mate Prathyek Satya 426-377 in the first match. The young bowler, however, could not repeat his heroics as he went down 406-438 to Dhruv in the second match.</p>.<p>Overnight leader and defending champion Shabbir Dhankot exited the competition early after failing to enter the step ladder round by four pins.</p>.<p>He finished fifth with 6475 pinfalls at an average of 202.34.</p>
<p>Akaash Ashok Kumar emerged champion in the Uniply 29th National Tenpin Bowling Championships, putting an end to Karnataka’s 11-year wait for the title here at Amoeba on Saturday.</p>.<p>Up against former national champion Dhruv Sarda of Delhi in the final, Akaash dished out a clinical performance to secure his first national title with a 413-372 win. </p>.<p>The last bowler from Karnataka who won the championship was Vijay Punjabi back in 2008.</p>.<p>Both Akaash and Dhruv began in fine fashion, but the latter’s consistency handed him the edge at the end of game 1. He was ahead by (232-199) 33 pins.</p>.<p>Although Dhruv made a strong start in game 2, the Delhi bowler couldn’t keep up with his Karnataka counterpart, who stayed solid and never gave his opponent a chance to make a comeback.</p>.<p>Akaash won by eight pins (181-173).</p>.<p>“The only thing missing in my career is the national title and it came today. The whole preparation was to bring Karnataka a title after 11 years. I gave it all and rest is God’s grace,” said a delighted Akaash after the match.</p>.<p>Akaash finished with 6608 pinfalls at the average of 206.50, while Dhruv had 6554 pinfalls at 204.81.</p>.<p>In the women’s section, Tamil Nadu’s Sabeena Athica clinched her 10th national title with a dominating 378-266 win over Sumathi Nallabantu of Telangana.</p>.<p>In the final, Sabeena led 157-128 after game 1. She was even more devastating the second, outclassing Sumathi (221-138) to wear the crown.</p>.<p>Earlier in the stepladder round, played based on cumulative pinfall of two games, Karnataka’s Kishan R defeated his state-mate Prathyek Satya 426-377 in the first match. The young bowler, however, could not repeat his heroics as he went down 406-438 to Dhruv in the second match.</p>.<p>Overnight leader and defending champion Shabbir Dhankot exited the competition early after failing to enter the step ladder round by four pins.</p>.<p>He finished fifth with 6475 pinfalls at an average of 202.34.</p>