Tony Grantham (born 30 December 1972) is a New Zealand international lawn and indoor bowler.[1]

Tony Grantham
Personal information
NationalityNew Zealander
Born (1972-12-30) 30 December 1972 (age 51)
Whanganui, New Zealand
Sport
SportLawn bowls
ClubMt Albert BC
Achievements and titles
Highest world ranking27 (June 2024)
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
World Outdoor Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Adelaide triples
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Gold Coast fours
World Singles Champion of Champions
Gold medal – first place 2007 Australia singles
Asia Pacific Bowls Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Adelaide triples
Silver medal – second place 2011 Adelaide fours

Bowls career

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Grantham from Whanganui, in New Zealand won the singles at the New Zealand National Bowls Championships, which qualified him to play in the 2007 World Singles Champion of Champions event. He won the gold medal in the event beating Will James of Swaziland in the final.[2]

He won two medals at the 2011 Asia Pacific Bowls Championships in Adelaide.[3] One year later he then won a bronze medal in the triples at the 2012 World Outdoor Bowls Championship in Adelaide.[4]

Grantham also competed for New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games[5] and won further National titles; the 2013/14 pairs and 2013/14 fours title at the New Zealand National Bowls Championships, when bowling for the Birkenhead Bowls Club.[6]

In 2022, he competed in the men's pairs and the men's fours at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[7]

In 2023, he won his fourth title at the National Championships, bowling for Mt Albert BC.[8] Later in 2023, he was selected as part of the team to represent New Zealand at the 2023 World Outdoor Bowls Championship.[9] He participated in the men's pairs and the men's fours events.[10][11] In the pairs with Andrew Kelly, they reached the quarter finals before losing to eventual winner Ireland. In the fours partnering Chris Le Lievre, Lance Pascoe and Sheldon Bagrie-Howley, the team won their group before securing a bronze medal, losing to Scotland in the semi final.

In 2024, he successfully defended his pairs title with Gary Lawson at the 2024 New Zealand nationals.[12]

Personal life

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His partner is fellow bowls international Leanne Chinery of Canada.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Tony Grantham". Commonwealth Games Federation.
  2. ^ a b "Bowls: Grantham taking no chances now". Otago Daily Times.
  3. ^ "Asia Pacific Championships Past Winners" (PDF). World Bowls. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  4. ^ "World Championship Recap". ilawn bowls.
  5. ^ "COMMONWEALTH GAMES MEDALLISTS - BOWLS". GRB Athletics.
  6. ^ "New Zealand Championships". Bowls Tawa.
  7. ^ "Official Games profile". 2022 Commonwealth Games. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Entry Hub". Bowls New Zealand. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  9. ^ "COMPETITORS CONFIRMED: WORLD BOWLS OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023". Bowls International. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Events and Results, World Championships 2023 Gold Coast, Australia". World Bowls. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  11. ^ "SCHEDULE & DRAWS". Bowls Australia. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  12. ^ "National bowls championships: Gary Lawson, Tony Grantham defend their pairs title". The Post. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
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