Henry Tan was the first to put Singapore on the world bowling map by winning the highest single game (298 pinfalls out of a possible 300) and bagging the individual silver medal at the World Games in Copenhagen in 1970.

Henry started bowling when the first public bowling centre, Jackie's Bowl at Orchard Road opened in 1964. He began competing in 1968 and in the following year he had his first taste of international competition at the Asia Invitational in Hong Kong where he won a silver medal. This was followed by a series of successes -- his outing at the World Games in 1970, Masters title at the CPA Far East Championship, Jakarta (1972), All-Events gold medal at the 8 th SEAP Games and the Silver medal (duo) at the World FIQ 1975. His world-class performances in 1970 and 1975 won him the Sportsman of the Year award for those years.

His injury, sustained since 1974, worsened and kept him away from competition from 1976 to 1978. He made a comeback in 1979 and won the Masters title at the National Championships.

The 12 th SEA Games held in Singapore in 1983 was to be the swan song for Henry in his competitive career. He was both a competitor and a coach at the Games. He helped the men's teams of three and five to clinch the gold. The National Bowling Team, of which he was assistant coach, swept seven out of the nine gold medals at stake. This outstanding performance led the Singapore National Olympic Council to select him as the Best Coach, that year.

Henry continued to coach the national bowling team over the next 10 years. In 1993, he helped to successfully set up bowling as one of the school's curricular activities. Today, he is still involved in coaching the youths.