Max Hatzoglou
Sunbury lawn bowler Carla Krizanic became the second two-time female winner of the Australian Champion of Champions tournament after taking gold at the national event on March 24 in the Gold Coast last month.
The win means Krizanic will go through to the world championships in November this year to play in the tournament at the Naenae Bowling Club in New Zealand.
Krizanic was excited about achieving the feat again and being able to come back after losing the second round.
“It turned out to be a perfect weekend,” Krizanic said.
“I haven’t won it since 2016 and I lost my second round so I wasn’t in a great position but I won the rest of my games and everything sort of fell into place.”
Krizanic had to work her way back after losing the second round in which she did, winning the following three to leapfrog from third to first in a tense final day to win the championship.
“I felt like I was playing pretty well, the conditions were really tricky up there, it was windy and raining the whole time but I felt like I was playing fairly well so I was pretty disappointed when I lost that one [round two match].
“In my mind I knew that if I could win the next three, I could still guarantee myself a silver medal so I sort of went out day two with that goal in mind and things sort of falling my way and I ended up with the gold medal.
“So it turned out great.”
The win adds to Krizanic’s previous achievement in winning gold playing among a team of four in the World Outdoor Bowls Championship in Christchurch in 2016.
This time around Krizanic’s preparation for the tournament was different to the past with her four-month-old baby to care for although she was still able to pull out a winning performance.
“Before I had the boys I would play in every event and travel at least six months of the year playing bowls, now things are a bit different,” Krizanic said.
Krizanic said spending time with her two children Harley and Axel has made her value her time playing bowl more which has helped her game.
Krizanic said the undercover green at her local Sunbury Bowls Club will support her preparations greatly for the World Championships later in the year.
“It means I can practice all through the winter as well because obviously it’s a bit too cold in the winter so having that cover green gives me the chance to practice all year round and keep my form in check,”
“Most of the other northern states play 12 months of the year and we have a break so it’s been great to have that indoor facility there so I can train all year round.”
Krizanic also credited her club.
“We got a fantastic culture down at the club, fantastic people, everyone really enjoys themself, right from our lower sides to the top teams.
Krizanic next big event will be at the Bowls Premier League event streamed on Kayo Sports from May 23-27 this month at Club Pine Rivers in Brisbane, Queensland.
She will represent the Melbourne Extreme franchise team owned by Sunbury Bowls Club with big prize money up for grabs.
