Champion Caminsky: I'll treasure this for ever

GUY Caminsky believes winning the 2008 PartyCasino.com World Tenpin Masters fulfilled a childhood dream.

Caminsky became the ninth different winner of the tournament, which was held in front of a packed crowd at the Barnsley Metrodome.

In a thrilling final, South African Caminsky came from behind to defeat 2006 champion Chris Barnes by 526-517.

"As a kid you dream about that moment when you strike out and win a tournament," said Caminsky. "It’s everyone's dream and when I struck it I was over the moon.

"This means the absolute world to me to get this title. It's going to be huge for the sport back home and hopefully more guys from there will come and travel overseas. For me I will treasure this moment for the rest of my life.

"Not until the final shot in the second game did I think I could win the game.

"He (Barnes) left a wobbling fourth pin in one of the frames and if that had fallen he would have been the champion.

"He did not give it this victory to me I had to go out there and earn it. He's a true champion and unfortunately one of us has to lose.

"Before I went into the final I just thought 'I hope it's a good one' because I didn't want to go down as the worst finalist ever.

"The crowd were fantastic and they got me through it.

"It's a great event and I had nothing to lose. I was used to losing here but what does winning feel like? It feels brilliant."

American Barnes had been the favourite to win after impressive performances throughout the three-day tournament, including the best individual score in the competition's 10-year history.

But it was not to be for Barnes in the final, who admitted Caminsky deserved to win.

"I gave it everything I had but he threw a world-class double in the tenth frame and not many people could do that," said Barnes.

"I made him show up and that’s all I wanted to do but he showed up like a champion. It feels terrible.

"We get to bowl in places all over the world but this tournament is the most fun. The crowd are so boisterous but it's a lot of fun and I hope to get back here again next year."

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