Meet Jazreel

Bowling ball in hand she steps up to the lane. Her cold unwavering stare focused upon her goal down the lane as she readies herself. The crowd falls silent as she approaches the line and in an instant finally releases 18 pounds of urethane and plastic surging towards the ten wooden pins inevitable fate. Anticipation intoxicates the entire room. For what seems like forever, the bowling ball swings and smashes into the pins sending the last of the pins rolling into the dark oblivion from beyond. The crowd goes wild as screen flashes crosses across the screen.

Just another day in the life. Meet Jazreel Tan. A graduate from the Singapore Sports School and current National Bowler of the Singapore National Team, Jazreel has been making waves in the local sporting scene. She has been mentioned in the Singapore Sports Museum in their Roll of Honour together with the likes of other Athletes such as Tan Howe Liang and the Singapore Table tennis Olympic Silver medallist.

In 2007 at just 18 years, Jazreel Tan stood out by claiming the Silver medal at the World Women’s Bowling Championships Masters Finals after beating very experienced players and overcoming great odds. This event spring boarded her towards greater heights in her sporting pursuit. Just a year later in 2008, Jazreel’s participation in both regional and international championships such as 2008 Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Belfast, 31^st Malaysian International Open and finally the 10^th World Youth Bowling Championship lead to a great medal haul in both singles and team events.

Having such an outstanding sporting resume, Jazreel has been nominated as Sports Girl of the Year twice in 2007 and 2008. She has also been nominated as a spokesperson for her NSA sponsor, Cannon, as well as in the Speak Good Chinese Movement. So if you thought she might have looked familiar, it’s probably because she has appeared on buses and trains! Even in America, Jazreel has been nominated by her University as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at her first collegiate competition at the Midwest States Tournament in October 2009 and also named BWAA (Bowling Writers Association of America) Player of the Year Runner-Up. Having an absolutely spectacular sporting streak, Jazreel Tan Shi Jing is indeed one of the most successful bowling athletes in the Sporting History of Singapore.

Jazreel is now a student athlete at Wichita State University finishing her second year in her degree in Sports Management. So being the ever so caring Alumni we decided that we should see how things are coming along for her. After having travelled over 4 continents, 3 great oceans, deserts and swamps, going through treacherous challenges and overcoming great odds our email finally made its way to the United States, Wichita, to finally reach Jazreel’s account.

After almost 2 years being out of Singapore, we check up with Jazreel in an exclusive interview as she shares a little on her sporting roots and what are some things she misses most about Singapore.

So was Bowling been your only sport?

I was a swimmer together with my brother before I started bowling as a sport. But after my Brother left swimming and also due to the stresses of schoolwork, I slowly lost my interest in swimming.

So how did you start bowling as a sport?

Because of my passion in Sports, it wasn’t long before another opportunity came my way, Bowling. So naturally after my brother joined bowling I decided to take up the sport as well, thinking that it looked pretty fun and interesting.

What motivates you to keep bowling?

3 Things motivates me to keep bowling. One is my drive is to keep on improving. Second are my teammates and friends. I enjoy the company and my working relationship with my teammates as we share a special bond with one another. Lastly is having the opportunity to bring glory to my country.

Do you have any inspirations or sporting heroes?

Diandra Asbaty – 10year Team USA Bowler with many other awards and accolades post to her name.

What do you enjoy most about your sport?

Having the opportunity to meet all kinds of people from all over the world.

How do you prepare yourself before a competition? Describe a typical pre-game ritual.

I don’t do anything really different before a competition. (smiles)

What goes through your mind before you step up to the lane to bowl during competitions?

Making good shots.

What has been the highlight of your bowling career?

Being awarded Sports girl of the Year two years in a row by the SNOC. (editor: Only on rare occasions are a single athlete nominated twice for this prestigious award.)

How has the sports school helped you in your sporting success?

The Sports School has helped me balance my studies through its flexible curriculums and class schedules when I have bowling tournaments on. They provided me with many opportunities and exposures for me to steadily develop and grow in my sport to be who I am today.

What has bowling taught you as a person?

To be in the here and now in every single thing you do. The only thing you are in control of is the Present. Thinking of the past or future will not help.

Tell us a little more about life in America; adapting to a new culture, juggling both bowling and the books – how has it been for you?

Adapting to a new culture was not easy. It took sometime. But with bowling and the books, they have been keeping me pretty much occupied. I’ve been so busy that I don’t even miss home all that much or to think about having fun all the time. Life here’s been good so far. I like it here. It’s has been and will continue to be an experience that I will never forget.

Describe your current training regime.

Practice 5-6 times a week for 2-3hours a day and workouts 4-5 times a week.

What/who do you miss in Singapore and why? (Food, places, weather, anything etc.)

Home

Mum’s cooking

Friends

Laksa, chicken rice, roti prata, steamboat, hokkien mee etc. the local flavours of Singapore (im a pig haha)

Describe your future plans.

I have 3 more years in college, so I will still be here in the near future. Hopefully I would be able to remain here or another 2 years to work and bowl at the same time for a while after I graduate from college.

We all know you to be a bowler, but please tell us what other things you engage in besides bowling? (Other hobbies or interests?)

Both watching and playing soccer. Liverpool rocks!

Ultimate Frisbee

Singing

What would be your advice to young wannabe pro bowlers.

Always be in the ‘here and now’. The present is the only moment you are in.

Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you find success in bowling? (Past coaches, parents, possible sports school classmates/teammates? J)

Firstly, my family.

And then coaches.

Friends

Classmates and team mates who made this journey so far fun and full of wonderful memories =)

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jazreel for always being supportive of the Alumni. And from us the Alumni, all the best for your future endeavours and the best of wishes for the years to come and may you always be a inspiration to the younger generation always.