Champion Sabeena off to a flying start

 Defending champion Sabeena Athica of Tamil Nadu led the field with a total pinfall of 1101 in the women’s section of the 10th National tenpin championship here on Thursday.

Sabeena started with a 179 in the first game and then followed it up with a high game of 215, before scoring 153 in Game 3. She gained momentum in the next two games scoring 198 and 191 and finished with a 168 for an average of 183.50.

Karnataka’s Judy Alban scored 170, 150, 202, 182, 199 in the first five games but ended with a low score of 126 in the sixth to finish the day on second spot with a total pinfall of 1029 and an average of 171.50.

Sumathi Nallabantu of Telangana was third with a total pinfall of 993 at an average of 165.50. She is followed by her team-mate Sahithi Nallan in fourth position with a total pinfall of 982 at an average of 163.67.

In the men’s category, 40 bowlers made it to the second round on Thursday. Tamil Nadu’s Shabbir Dhankot continued his fine form to consolidate his lead. Shabbir is leading the table with a total pinfall of 3609 at an average of 200.50 in 18 games. Defending champion Dhruv Sarda is placed second with 3446 pinfalls.