Milika in action at the Browns Bay Bowling Club. Photo: David Allen / Inside Bowls Magazine
Tongan bowler Milika Nathan created history in Auckland on Saturday, winning the women's singles title at the World Bowls Champion of Champions in extreme conditions at the Browns Bay Bowling Club in North Harbour.
The Northcote Intermediate School teacher proved her winning skills to claim the title, coming from staying within the top eight to upset defending world champion Anne Nunes of the United States of America.
She joins outstanding Australian Lee Schraner who claimed the men's title for the second time in edging out New Zealand champion Aiden Takarua in a tightly fought final 6-4 4-4.
New Zealand Bowls said over 50 champion bowlers from 30 nations competed in the 22nd World Bowls Champion of Champions Singles tournament.
The weather turned for the worse at the weekend, after a week of superb conditions, with light and persistent rain throughout the day.
Nathan, who competed for Tonga at last week's Oceania Challenge in Auckland, won her quarterfinal clash, with a dominant performance over Teokotai Jim from Cook Islands.
She beat Stefanie Branfield (England) in the semi-finals, bouncing back with a remarkable 14-2 advantage to win the second set, and winning the tiebreak with her final bowl.
Meanwhile Nunes, attempting to become the first person to successfully defend their title, edged Ireland's Sarah Kelly 10-3 7-7 and Lainie McGorman (Australia) in a tight semi-final.
New Zealand Bowl said the pair battled the conditions during the final with Nathan the stronger in the wet, winning 5-4 5-3 in a brilliant match.
"At the start of this week I was just trying to make it into the top eight," Nathan said.
"It was like using a drive and upshot every time and make sure I was up in those conditions.
"I didn't think about playing Anne in the final and just tried to focus on my own game. It is a bit crazy to think I am a world champion. I never thought that would happen, ever. It is funny that I will walk back into my classroom on Monday."
Nathan defeated England's Stef Branfield in the semi-finals.
Niue's Joy Preyoux, who was among the five women who remained unbeaten after the first three days of competition, did not make it into the last eight.
