THAILAND INTERNATIONAL OPEN 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

 

It was an encouraging performance by our newly promoted National Elite bowlers in the just concluded Thailand International Open 2012 yesterday.   Making his debut as an Elite bowler in his first major International championship, Aris Ardila displayed a gritty performance to defy the odds and qualified into the Step-ladder Finals championship match.   The 21 years old Sarawakian was seeded 4th after the Finals Stage 2 of 10 games series. En-route to the Finals, Aris was impressive in brushing aside Indonesia's former SEA Games champion, Ryan Lalisang and former compatriot Kang Bo Long 210 - 184 - 169 to earn a crack shot at the Men's Open title.

Siti Shazwani and Aris Ardila with their trophies

 

In the championship match against top seed and home favorite, Surasak Manuwong, both bowlers started the match with a double strikes but Aris went behind Surasak after a big split in the third frame. Although the Thai also had a split in the sixth frame but the Malaysian had two more splits in the fifth and seventh frames allowing the top seed to pull away to a comfortable 210 - 171 victory.

In the Women's Open division, Siti Shazwani came close to clinching her second career senior title when she reached the Step-ladder Finals. En-route to the championship match, Siti, who was seeded second, shot 8 pins in the one-ball roll-off to break the tie with local hopeful, Yanee Saebe after being locked at 189 while fifth-seed and winner of the first match, Syaidatul Afifah lost by 1 pin. However, Siti Shazwani of Malaysia was a pale shadow of herself against defending champion, Lee Nam Young of South Korea, who easily won 212-177 in the title match.

Another young Malaysian debutant, Syaidatul Afifah had a chance to take the match but failed to spare her bonus frame while Yanee struck in her bonus frame to tie with Siti. Syaidatul won the first match by beating No. 4 seed, Sung Gyeong Eun of Daejeon and No. 6 seed, Angkana Netrviseth of Thailand, 192-187-166 to advance.

 

Reported by BC Cheah