Last January, he experienced one of the most
memorable moments of his sporting career when he played the defending World
Indoor Singles champion Billy Jackson of England in the 2nd round of
the Potters World Indoor Singles Championship in Norfolk, England. The first
set was tied 7-7 after Bhartu scored three in the last end of the 1st
set. Bhartu took a four-shot lead into the last end of the 2nd set
but the game went to tie-breakers when Jackson scored a maximum 4 shots in the
last end of the 2nd set to tie the set 8-8. The shot earning Jackson
4 points was described by one sports writer as: “the shot of the century.”
“I was totally stunned and lost the first end
of the 3 end tiebreaker but pulled myself together and won the next 2 ends, and
the match, to knock him out of the tournament,” said Bhartu.
Participating in the 2010 Delhi Games
represents first and foremost the hard work he has put in to achieve his
Commonwealth ranking, which is regarded as the highest stage in the world for
lawn bowls. Bhartu is extremely proud of this achievement; however, his
ultimate goal is to win a gold medal for Canada at these Games. Secondly,
Barthu is of Indian descent and has never been to his motherland. He is truly looking
forward to visiting the country of his ancestors.
In preparation for the Commonwealth Games, over
the next few months Bhartu will take part in the B.C. Provincial Fours
Championships that begin July 2 at Granville Park LBC, Vancouver, followed by
men’s doubles competition at Juan De Fuca LBC, Victoria, from July 16-18 topped
with a singles competition July 30 to August 1 at North Vancouver LBC. He is also
part of the Canadian squad for the North American Challenge against the USA in
Milwaukee from September 8-11, 2010.
Where does Bhartu draw his inspiration? From his ancestors who survived their sea
journey from India to Fiji in abhorrent conditions under the Colonial
Indentured Labour System and who fulfilled their 10-year commitment to the
colonialists, once again in very difficult living conditions and were able to
raise a family and afford education for their children. His grandparents were 2nd
generation Fijians of Indian descent.
“My grandfather’s advice to me was to get as
much education as possible because knowledge once acquired cannot be stolen
from you, unlike material objects and property.” His life motto is to “give it your very best
effort in trying to be the best at whatever you choose to do.”
Among his athletic goals, Bhartu wants to stay
healthy and in good form so that he can represent Canada for a few more years. He
would also love to be a member of the Canadian squad for the 2012 World Bowls
Championship which will be held in Adelaide, Australia.
The XIX
Commonwealth Games in Delhi will be held October 3-14.
ABOUT LAWN
BOWLING*:
Object
of Lawn Bowling
The object of the game is to roll the bowl as close to the white jack as
possible. The jack is rolled the length of the green to start each end. Once the
jack stops, it is centred in the middle of the rink and becomes the target for
the remainder of the end.
The bowl is not completely spherical, allowing
it to curve toward the jack as momentum is lost. The bowl curves either way,
depending on which way it is held during delivery.
The game of Bowls involves offensive and
defensive strategies, and has the added challenge that the jack is movable and
can be displaced anywhere on the rink by a delivered bowl.
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