Nepomuceno adds to his legend—and plans to keep going

Paeng Nepomuceno

At 63, Paeng Nepomuceno admitted that he no longer has a regular bowling practice routine. And that these days, he chooses his tournaments.

But once he picks an event, “I make sure I’m ready for it,” the bowling legend said.

In that sense, Nepomuceno fits the description of an “active legend,” the likes who continuously outdo themselves and in the process level up from their already lofty achievements.

The Guinness World Records agrees.

Generally considered the greatest of all time in bowling, Nepomuceno received his fourth Guinness citation for winning the most titles with 133. He had previously been acknowledged as the winningest bowler by the noted record keeper with his previous record win tally of 118 titles.

He has also been recognized for becoming the youngest to win World Cup in 1976 Tehran at age 19; and for winning the World Cups in three different decades (1976, 1980, 1992 and 1996).

Nepomuceno won his 133rd title, the PTBA Mixed Open in Quezon City, last year.

But with the quarantine restrictions, Nepomuceno never set foot on on a bowling alley the past 10 months.

“As it is, very few centers just recently opened,” he told the Inquirer on Saturday. “But I’m proud to say that I don’t have an off-season with regards to being in shape.”

A Hall of Famer in World Bowling (1993) and Philippine Sports (2018), Nepomuceno stays in shape with workouts at home. He also swims and rides the stationary bike for his cardio program.

For all the accolades he’s received, Nepomuceno is still bent on keeping his legend alive.