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Safuan Ready To Stamp His Mark Down Under

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Safuan Said, ranked number one in the men's world lawn bowls ranking list hopes to stamp his mark against the best field of bowlers at the Australian Open from Feb 15-21.

The Open which offers AUS$18,000 to the winner and held at Shepparton Park and Mooroopna Bowls Club in Victoria, would feature 128 world class players in the singles event.

"The Australian Open is one of the most challenging tournaments in the world as all the best bowlers in the world will assemble there. My target is to reach the semi-finals but it will certainly be a bonus if I reach the final," Safuan told Bernama.

The 26-year-old from Perak had a blazing 2008 when he won the World Cup and World Championships singles titles in addition to reaching the semi-finals of the World Bowls Singles Champion of Champions tournament.

In the Australian Open last year, Safuan reached the semi-finals but failed to advance any further.

He added that after competing in the National Indoor Bowls Championships last week, he would take a one-week break before resuming training at the Bukit Kiara national lawn bowls centre.

Apart from Safuan, two times Commonwealth Games gold medallist Siti Zalina Ahmad would also compete in the Australian Open.

"This will be my fifth appearance in the Australian Open and no Malaysian men had won the title. Siti Zalina however won the women's singles title in 2007," said Safuan.

-- BERNAMA

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