From National Player to Inspirer, Bowling Coaching Journey Across the Boundary of Hearing Impairment - Interview with Bowling Curve Master Cheng Hsing-Chao

If you have a passion for bowling, then you might be interested in thisbowling (loanword)this master, and feel familiar with his name!

From being a rising bowling star as a teenager to becoming the centerpiece of the Taiwan National Team to coaching a bowling team for the hearing impaired, Cheng's career has spanned many facets, demonstrating the versatility and far-reaching impact of the sport.

This interview will take you on a journey to discover how Cheng turned his beginner's curiosity into a lifelong love of bowling, and how he turned that passion and expertise into coaching wisdom that has not only impacted his own life but also inspired the next generation of bowlers.

The Road to Enlightenment: From Early Exploration to Becoming a National Player

Cheng's bowling career began when he was an elementary school student. Under his father's influence, he started bowling with him in a bowling alley at the age of nine or ten, initially for fun, but gradually progressing to the competitive level. Cheng recalls that his father was not only his first coach but also the key person who inspired him to participate in youth tournaments in the early days, which gradually developed his competitive spirit and skills.

During his middle and high school years, Cheng's training became more professional and systematic. Especially in high school, he joined the athletic class and the school'sBowling TeamIt was a change that would greatly influence his career. The physical training I received in high school was very rigorous, and training with the students on the fencing and archery teams was initially a struggle, but I soon realized the importance of physical training to improve my athleticism, which led to a significant improvement in my grades," he shares.

Achievements in international competitions

In 2005, at the age of 16, Cheng joined the AdultNational TeamHe has also demonstrated his outstanding athletic talent at the Singapore International Open. The tournament not only raised his international profile but also boosted his confidence and practical experience. It was an important learning opportunity for me to compete with the best players from different countries, which is crucial for my professional growth," he recalled.

Cheng's achievements at the 2011 East Asian Bowling Championships and the 2010 World Championships were also notable, with a bronze medal at the World Championships being a particular source of pride for him. Although I won the gold medal at the East Asian Championships, the bronze medal at the World Championships was even more significant as it proved my level of competitiveness and strength at the world level," he said.

Promoting the development of bowling in Taiwan and cultivating young talents

Cheng is optimistic about the development of bowling in Taiwan, especially the training of young athletes. He observes that the number of young people participating in bowling has been increasing in recent years, which is extremely favorable to the future development of the sport. Bowling used to be very popular in Taiwan, and although there was a downturn, many young people are now getting back into the sport, which is a very positive trend," he says.

The popularity and acceptance of curveball skills, in particular, is increasing in Taiwan. Curveball is one of the lesser-known techniques in bowling and has long been neglected in Taiwan. Cheng Hsing-chao said, "Back in the days when theBowling National TeamI was the only one who specialized in curveball skills, while the rest of the team used discs. Today, there are as many curveball players as there are disc players, which represents a significant improvement in the diversity of our bowling techniques".

He emphasized the importance of education and skill transfer, "It's important that we teach young players not only how to play the game, but also how to understand the oil changes in the fairway, which is critical to the game. Now we are able to pass on more technical knowledge and information to the younger generation to help them adapt and attack better." This approach to education ensures that young players are better able to demonstrate their skills and strategies on the international stage.

Special Coaching Role: Coaching Hearing Impaired Athletes

Starting in 2022, Cheng has taken on the responsibility of leading the hearing-impaired bowling team, which is not only a brand new challenge in his career, but also a deeply meaningful life experience. Discussing his work with the hearing-impaired players, he said the process was both smooth and fulfilling. These hearing-impaired players are doing very well in the international arena, and my main role is to introduce and teach them professional bowling skills and game strategies that they may not be familiar with," he said.

Cheng faced a major communication challenge during the training of the hearing-impaired athletes, especially in the early stages when he was not proficient in sign language and relied heavily on the assistance of a sign language interpreter to communicate. In order to overcome this obstacle, Cheng creatively developed a new way of communication. I started using the colors of bowling balls and some basic hand signals to give instructions," he shares. "This method not only improved the efficiency of communication, but also significantly reduced the misunderstandings caused by the language barrier. This has made training more direct and effective, and has enabled players to acquire the necessary skills more quickly."

Preparation Strategies for International Events

As a coach, Cheng understands the fierce competition in the international bowling scene. He emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, especially the player's ability to adapt to changing lane conditions. He enhances this ability by having players practice on different lanes, which not only improves their skills but also their adaptability to the game. "Each fuel type has its characteristics, and understanding and adapting to these variations is crucial to performance in international races. The goal of our training is to keep our athletes in the best possible condition under all conditions." Cheng shared his training philosophy.

In addition, Cheng places great importance on his relationship with his players and believes that a sibling-like relationship is more effective than the traditional coach-player relationship. He interacts with his players in a relaxed manner, which helps eliminate tension in the team and allows the players to perform more naturally in the competition. "As a coach, I like to be seen as a reliable mentor, and this relationship helps to build real trust and support so that we can face challenges together." Cheng shared his philosophy on interpersonal relationships, demonstrating his holistic approach to developing great athletes.

Changing Roles: From the Arena to the Coach's Box

After transforming into a coach, Cheng found that he had an unparalleled passion and recognition for the role. He appreciates the mentoring and supportive role he plays in his athletes' careers and derives great satisfaction from it. "Being a coach allows me to influence the sport from another perspective, which is very rewarding and fulfilling," he says. This is how Cheng describes his new career path.

Cheng emphasized that although his career focus has shifted to coaching, he still actively participates in competitions to maintain his personal athleticism and skill level. "I want to stay active and involved in sports, it not only keeps me connected to the sport but also brings me personal enjoyment. It also helps me, as a coach, to better understand the various situations that athletes may face in competition."

Looking ahead, Cheng hopes to further develop his coaching career without giving up his role as a competitor. "My goal is to continue to grow and innovate in the coaching field while enjoying the excitement and fun of the game. I believe this dual role will enable me to contribute to the development of the sport of bowling in a more comprehensive way. Through this multifaceted involvement, Zheng Xingchao not only plays an important role in nurturing a new generation of athletes, but also keeps his skills sharp and ensures that he is always at his best in the sport.