World Bowls Champion of Champions men’s singles winner, Australia’s Lee Schraner has an unreal record at the prestigious world event – gold medal winner in the men’s singles in 2024 and 2019 and bronze in 2022 and 2018.
That equates to winning 51 out of 54 matches against some of the best singles players from around the globe.
Schraner, whose recent success sees him ranked 20th in the World Bowls Series men’s rankings, speaks to World Bowls media officer Ceris Hewlings about his recent amazing success in Auckland.
WB: How does it feel to be Champion of Champion men’s singles winner for the second time?
LS: It’s crazy to be honest. To go from the first round of the club singles to the end of the world’s twice is not something you plan to do. I mean you try and win every game, but it’s a very long road to victory.
WB: What are your memories from your previous victory in 2019?
LS: I remember telling my mum that “I could die happy now” knowing I’d achieved a lifelong dream of a world singles. I was very emotional and unbelievably excited to stand on top of the world.
WB: What are your highlights from 2024?
LS: Going through undefeated at the world finals in both 2019 and 2024 will stay with me for a long time. 2024 was special because I’m not known as a great fast green player. The work I’ve done over the past seven years to develop my game on fast tracks has paid dividends. I now prefer a surface that runs like the wind!
WB: You were also a bronze medallist in 2022 and 2018? Also, great honours. Tell me about those events?
LS: 2018 was devastating when I lost the semi-final to Tony Cheung. Once I had the bronze medal in my hands though, I realised it was still a great achievement to win a world level medal. 2022 was a disaster. We moved from the slick outdoor grass at Naenae to the unpredictable indoor carpet green. I was annoyed that it was moved inside due to gale force winds and was beaten by Izatt Shameer Dzulkeple from Malaysia who is a great player, but is an indoor green specialist.
WB: You left Auckland and went straight to win the Ultimate Bowls Championship, tell me about that?
LS: I didn’t have much energy at the start of the UBC, so I played the first five games and then warmed the bench the rest of event one. This worked brilliantly as Matt Baus and Aron Sherriff went all the way and won it. I was exhausted most of the week to be fair and didn’t play my best.
WB: And what about Lee Schraner off the green?
LS: I’m a registered BAS Agent and GST expert, running a boutique sized proprietorship from home. I’m also a published author, ex-forensic and insolvency accountant and hold a Bachel of Commerce with a masters in commercial law. My hobbies are writing, playing keyboard, the Rubiks cube and trivia. My family live in Melbourne. I have two brothers and a sister, all younger.
WB: How did you get into bowls?
LS: I went to an RVBA Open day in 1994 at Mount Cottrell and never looked back.
WB: What do you like most about bowls?
LS: No one end is ever the same. I like the varying conditions of outdoor bowls and the challenges of a foreign surface.
WB: And what do you dislike?
LS: I’m not a fan of the egos and disrespect that some players have for the sport. I always respect the game as it is bigger than all of us.
WB: What’s your advice for anyone taking up the sport?
LS: Enjoy the challenges of different conditions and ALWAYS prepare and train with dedication for bigger events.
WB: What’s in the calendar for 2025?
LS: Trans-Tasman in January/February. Lots of state bowls and zone events. A few less tournaments this year with more time spent training or completing Australian Jackaroos requirements.
World Bowls Series is the official year-long calendar of sanctioned events connecting to the official world rankings. It is a joint venture between World Bowls and Tier 5 Ventures. The sanctioned events occur across the globe and will feature a mixture of existing and new events.
WBS currently has 29 sanctioned events. Each WBS event will belong to a different tier having different ranking points based on the size, location, and stature it presents for the sport.
The purpose of WBS is to build the profile and brand of bowls, showcase the best players in the game, accelerate the legitimacy of the sport on the global stage and launch world rankings that will help create clarity and interest in the sport of bowls.
For more information regarding the World Bowls Series, contact: Neil Dalrymple, CEO, World Bowls, [email protected]
Female Rankings List: HERE
Male Rankings List: HERE
Author: Ceris Hewlings, World Bowls media officer
Caption: Lee being congratulated by World Bowls president Brett O’Riley
