Putul Sonowal made a remarkable debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by defeating reigning World Champion Ryan Bester in the men’s singles sectional play. Sonowal, ranked 21st globally, secured a close victory against Bester in a thrilling encounter that required a tiebreaker to determine the winner.
Despite Bester’s comeback in the second set with a 7-3 win, Sonowal’s strong performance in the first set gave him the lead. The Indian bowler’s strategic play in the tiebreaker ultimately led to his win over the experienced Canadian competitor.
Sonowal, the reigning Asian champion, will now face Cecil Alexander of Falkland Islands in his upcoming match in Section D. In another event, Indian duo Pinki Singh and Rupa Rani Tirkey also secured a hard-fought victory against Malta in the women’s pairs competition at the Commonwealth Games.
Competing in the new indoor format of Bowls for the first time in the Games’ history, Singh and Tirkey displayed a strong performance, overcoming a tough challenge from the Rixon sisters to emerge victorious in a dramatic tiebreak.
