21st June, J.Bahru: Ahmad Muaz B Mohd Fishol of Kedah bagged his second circuit title after emerging as champion in the Boy's Open division in the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MTBC Junior Circuit Johor leg on Sunday.

Ahmad Muaz, who finished fourth in Stage 2 with 2885 pinfalls, defeated second-seed and challenger, Muhd Aizudeen Mustaqim of Selangor, 230-164 in the third and decider to clinch his second circuit title this year.

The Kedah youth lost the first match, 177-246 but managed to edge Muhd Aizudeen, 257-255 in a thrilling second match before easily wrapping it up in the final match. The champion had ousted topseed and KL leg first runner-up, Chan Wei Siang of Johor, 247-207 and 223-181 in the semifinals.

Muhd Aizudeen took out first match winner, Nazrim B Hj Nordin of Pahang, 219-232, 206-166 in the other semi to face Ahmad Muaz in the finals. Ahmad Muaz reached the semi after he eliminated sixth-seed, Mohd Qusyairi Amir of KL and eighth-seed, Mohd Shafiq B Hashim of Melaka, 245-195-182 in the first knockout round.

SUKMA Games gold medalist, Farah Izzazaya Bt Mohd Fariq of Pahang captured the Girl's Open title by defeating second-seed and challenger, Sonia Teoh Jia Yun of Melaka over three games. Farah lost the first match, 165-192 but bounched back with easy victories over Sonia, 246-147 and 216-146.

The topseed and champion edged sixth-seed and winner of the first match, Nur Azlin Bt Abu Bakar of SSBP, 235-214 to reach the finals while Sonia Teoh outclassed fifth-seed, Fatin Hazwani of Penang, 245-155 to face Farah.

Meanwhile, Perak's Fatin Azmira Bt Khairul Faizi finally landed her first cuircuit title this year after several near misses. Fatin defeated fourth-seed, Joceline Yan of Terengganu, 199-152 and 207-174 in the finals.

The 15-year-old champion ousted third-seed, Natasha Bt Mohd Roslan of Selangor, 192-179 to book her place in the finals while Joceline Yan took out topseed, Puteri Nadia Bt Kamarul of N.Sembilan, 192-171 and 165-123 in the other semi.

Dinie Faliq B Mokhtar clinched the Boy's Graded title after beating Danial Rizal in the all-Perak finals, 202-171 and 205-200. Dinie Faliq eliminated topseed, Azry Haziq of Selangor, 239-197 and 205-193 to reach the finals.

Second-seed and runner-up, Danial Rizal ousted fifth-seed, Muhd Rafiq Ismail of KL, 254-203 in the first semifinals to face Dinie in the finals. Dinie also defeated fouth-seed, Muhd Afnan of Pahang and Mohd Shahril of Pahang, 225-215-206 in the first round.

The Boy's Under-12 title went to Adam Rahimi Hazmi of Kelantan after he totaled 2070 over the 12 games. Adam, who finished third in the qualifying round with 1031, registered 1039 in the finals to take victory.

Mohd Nor Helmi of N.Sembilan settled for second with 2054 followed by qualifying round leader, Muhd Nur Hazarizq of Selangor third with 2039. Mohd Qaiyum B Zahari Azar of N.Sembiland took fourth spot with 2006.

Nur Amirah Auni Bt Azman of Penang won the Girl's Under-12 crown with a total of 2061. Nur Amirah had led the earlier 6-game qualifying round with 1073 and despite a lower final round of 988, Nur Amirah hung on with just 19 pins margin.

Siti Nurzulaika Ismail of KL finished second with 2042 ahead of Ayra Nur Jehan of Selangor and Nur Ain Mustaffa of Kedah claiming third and fourth spots with 2041 and 1966 respectively.

The sixth leg of this year circuit will be held from 3 to 5 July in Seremban while the Sabah leg will be held in Kota Kinabalu from 10 to 11 July, 2009. The seventh and final leg will be held in Selangor from 24 to 26 July.

Photos by Y.K. Choo, MTBC.

19th June, J.Bahru: Newcomer from Terengganu, Joceline Yan upstaged favourites to lead the Girl's Graded Stage 1 of the SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MTBC Junior Circuit Johor leg underway at Ampang Superbowl on Friday.

Despite a poor start of 138 by Joceline Yan in the opening game, the 16-year-old bounced back strongly to reel in 202, 244 and 213 to lead the field at the halfway mark from local youngster, Nurul Atiqah Bt Ahmad by 9 pins.

The Pahang leg first runner-up, Joceline continued to register 188, 221, 183 and easing off with 171 to top the Girl's Graded Stage 1 with 1560, 5 pins from the strong finishing Puteri Nadia of Negeri Sembilan in second with 1555.

Nurul Atiqah settled for third with 1531 ahead of Nadia Azman of Selangor and KL leg first runner-up Fatin Azmira in fourth and fifth spots with 1503 and 1467 respectively. Nur Farah Nabilah of Kelantan finished 28th position to advance into the next stage.

Meanwhile, Azry Haziq B Mohd Yusof of Selangor topped the opening squad of the Boy's Graded Stage 1 with a stunning 1694 and an average of 211.75. Qalif Adnor Adam of KL took second spot with 1603 while Tan Kean Hoong of Selangor finished third with 1583.

Mohd Sharil Adzrul of Penang topped the second squad with 1583 but was only good enough for third position after the two squads combined. Dinie Falig B Mokhtar of Melaka, who finished behind Mohd Sharil took fourth overall with 1583.

Mohd Nazmi B Mohd Mazali of Penang, who finished second with 1564 in the second squad ended up sixth. Amirul Hafiz N Noor Haizat of Johor was the 48th and last youth to advance into the next stage.

The Boys and Girls Open will contest their 8-games Stage 1 tomorrow (Saturday 20) morning followed by the Boys and Girls Under-12 qualifying round of 6 games in the afternoon. The knockout finals will be staged on Sunday.

Photos by Y.K. Choo, MTBC.