Daijiworld Media Network – Glasgow
Glasgow, Jul 24: India's Putul Sonowal produced one of the biggest upsets of the Commonwealth Games 2026 by defeating reigning world outdoor champion Ryan Bester of Canada in the men's singles lawn bowls event on Thursday.
Making his Commonwealth Games debut at the age of 43, Sonowal edged past the decorated Canadian in a thrilling tie-breaker during the Section D opener to advance to the next round.
The Indian won the opening set 5-4 before Bester fought back to claim the second set 7-3, forcing the contest into a tie-breaker. Sonowal held his nerve in the decider to register a memorable victory over one of the sport's most accomplished players.
He will next face Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands in his second Section D match on Friday.
The win is regarded as India's biggest triumph in lawn bowls, with Bester being the reigning world outdoor champion and one of the sport's most decorated athletes. The Canadian has won seven World Outdoor Championships medals in singles and pairs events, besides claiming gold and bronze medals in the 2023 World Championships in Paris. He also won Commonwealth Games bronze in 2006 and silver medals in 2014 and 2018, and was inducted into the inaugural World Bowls Hall of Fame in 2025.
Sonowal, who represents Assam Police, has enjoyed a successful domestic and continental career. Earlier this year, he won gold at the Asian Lawn Bowls Championships. He also has a national gold medal in the men's triples event and a bronze in men's singles.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) hailed the victory as India's best-ever result in the sport.
Meanwhile, India's women's pair of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh also began their campaign on a winning note, defeating Malta's Rebecca Louise Rixon and Connie-Leigh Rixon in a tie-breaker in Section B.
The Indian duo dominated the first set 7-1 before the Maltese pair recovered to win the second set 4-3. Rupa and Pinki then held their composure in the tie-breaker, clinching victory with the final bowl of the match.
The Indian pair will face South Africa in their next Section B fixture on Friday.