BATTLE STATIONS

Tuesday, 23 May 2011

It will be all cylinders firing at the 34th Canon Malaysian Open International Open Bowling championship at the Sunway Mega Lanes starting today (Tuesday), as the foreign bowlers arrived in doves yesterday. Heading the list is the widely traveled American bowler, Tim Mack, who has 72 titles around the world, but has yet to win the Malaysian Open title. Mack who will be turning 30 on 20th June will certainly be looking forward to an early birthday present by winning the title which has eluded him in the past. The three-time World Bowler of the Year who had won five medals (one gold and four silver) at the 2003 WTBA World championship, must surely start as the pre-tournament favourites. But he can expect strong challenge from the Malaysians who have won the title for the last three years – Zulmazran Zulkifli in 2008 and 2009 and Adrian Ang last year. The last time a foreign bowler won was in 2008 when Korea ’s Joung Seong Joo won.

Malaysians have won nine times from the 33 editions and the first Malaysian winner in the series was Y.H.Foong in 1984. The last seven titles were won by Malaysians in the last ten editions. The other Malaysians who have won the title are Alex Liew (2006) Daniel Lim (2004), Azidi Ameran (2003), Kenny Ang (2000), and Ng Yiew Hup (1998). The Malaysian in contention besides Zulmazran and Adrian are Alex, Daniel, Aaron Kong, Muhd Shafiq Ridhwan and Muhd Nur Aiman.

The Koreans may not be competing in this edition, but the competition is not going to get any easier. Among the foreign bowlers who arrived yesterday and are expected to put up a strong challenge include Australia’s Andrew Frawley, Kuwait’s Asian championship Masters gold medalist Khalid Al-Bubyyan, Singapore’s Remy Ong and Jason Yeong-Nathan, UAE’s Hussain Al-Suwaidi and Shaker Al-Hasan, Thailand’s Yannaphon Larpapharat, Hong Kong’s Wu Sui Hong and Michael Mark to name a few.

Among the notable foreign women bowlers who arrived yesterday include Australia ’s Bianca Flangan , Chinese Taipei ’s Wang Yu Lin, Hong Kong’s Chan Su Lan and Indonesia ’s Tanya Roumimper.

Indeed exciting days are expected as the battle for the Masters slots heat up with each passing day. Meanwhile, three Daily High Series Canon Award won since the competition began on Friday were won by Kang Bo Long (785 over three games – 248, 258, 279), Syimir Abdul Razak (718 – 265, 232 and 243) and Zatil Iman (805 – 268, 279, 258).