Egyptian national team captain, Tarek ‘Taco’ Helmy (pictured left) won the 10th Hurghada Open at Ebb and Tide Bowling Center in Hurghada, the Red Sea Resort in Egypt, with a 163-132 victory over defending champion Karim Sherif. It was the second victory for Helmy in Hurghada after 2005.

The four player stepladder finals was an all Egyptian affair and was broadcasted live on national TV as well as on the sports channel.

Sherif (right), the No. 3 seed, started the finals with a 163-132 win over junior national team member Mohamed Merdash.

Sherif went on to beat 2006 Hurghada open champion Sherif Moneim (left), seeded second, 186-166, for the right to face tournament leader Helmy in the finals.

“The stepladder saw some low scores compared to the tournament,” said Helmy after the victory. The oil was too heavy and it was clear to me that whoever makes the spares would win the game.”

In front of the Governor, some federation board members, reporters and a packed house, it was Helmy, who made the critical spares, while Sherif suffered five splits that resulted in open frames. Helmy denied Sherif’s bid for back-to-back titles and took revenge for the loss in the opening match of last year’s final.

The top 11 players plus the best player from the Red Sea region (best two 3-game series) advanced to the finals. The top 4 players after 12 games made the show.

SOURCE: http://www.bowlingdigital.com/bowling/node/20268