PAENG NEPOMUCENO LEGEND LIVES ON

Living legend Paeng Nepomuceno leaned on his vast bowling championship experience to clinch the 16th Asian Senior Championships men’s singles 65+ division gold medal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, Nov. 10.

The six-time world bowling champion showed his brilliance, blowing the rest of the competition by hitting a total of 1,264 pinfalls to outclass Japan’s Akira Nakada and Korea’s Jin Headong who settled for the silver and bronze, respectively.

Nakada toppled 1,238 pins while Headong tallied 1,223.

Paeng Nepomuceno record

Nepomuceno’s 248 in the fifth frame and 231 in the final game separated him from 56 other bowlers who competed in the same division.

His feat added to his long list of achievements, including four World Cup titles won in 1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996, a record that remains unparalleled today and made even more pronounced with the Guinness Book of World Records recognizing it in its books.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Noli Eala lauded the bowling icon on his Twitter page.

“Bowling Hall of Famer and legend Paeng Nepomuceno of the Phl won GOLD in the singles of the Asian Seniors age 65+ category. Paeng averaged 210 in 6 games to stamp his class once more. Congrats Paeng! You continue to make us proud. Mabuhay! 🇵🇭,” the tweet wrote.

Nepomuceno was enshrined in the Hall of fame by the World Bowling Writers, an association of over 90 countries with over 300 sportswriters. He was the only bowler and recipient of all awards possible in all World Bowling Writers categories when he received the World Bowling Writers Mort Luby Jr. Distinguished Service award on April 19, 2009. He was also named World Bowler of the Year three times.

The International Olympic Committee, during IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch’s term, feted Nepomuceno with the prestigious IOC Presidents’ Trophy, the highest sports award, and the first for bowling during the opening ceremonies of the 1999 World Championships. He’s the only Filipino given such a prestigious award.

Netizens also praised Nepomuceno’s recent feat.

PSC commenting

Commenting on PSC’s congratulatory post, Ma. Rowena Brito-Villegas wrote: “You are a living legend, Sir Paeng Nepomuceno! Thank you for bringing honor to our beloved country, the Philippines.”

Emilda Ribble said, “The Filipino bowling king, my idol. The legend. Congratulations! Beyond compare.”

Simon Cameron Dayrit, for his part, commented: “Still bringing glory to the country and the sport of bowling even to this day. Congratulations, Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno!”

Blandido Asuncion wrote “Congratulations! A legacy in the history of the Philippines’ world of sport and athletics!”

Nonie Cachero Solis said, “You are the master of bowling, we salute you all the way!”

Jose Rico Antonio also commented: “Congratulations to a true GOAT in bowling. No one comes close to this great athlete.”

Aga Domasian said, “No one ever (can) compare to you. Our idol, our hero. Keep it up, Sir.”

Kajei Kato said, “Still shining like before for the country. Congratulations and God bless always. Legend up to this time.”

Reynaldo Libuit wrote: “The legend is always a legend he is like Efren `The Magician’ Bata Reyes, the greatest player of all time.”