10th July, P.Jaya: National kegler, Alex Liew of Malaysia and Korea's Lee Eun Ock emerged as the 1st Selangor International Open Bowling Championship Men's and Ladies' Open Masters champions which concluded this afternoon.

Liew, who has captured two titles so far this year, won his third title after he outclassed his challenger, Choi Jung Hoon of Korea, 235-191 in the final stepladder match. Liew started with a double in the first two frames but Choi soon caught up after he getting a turkey from frame two.

The champion responded with a spirited effort with 3 strikes to take a small lead and put pressure on his opponent. Choi had a split in the 9th frame which made it impossible to mount any form of comeback giving Liew an easy passage to clinch the coveted crown.

"This is probably my first Masters title at home after having won many international crown," said the 29-year-old current Asian Ranked No. 1. "I'm hopeful of being name the Malaysian representative to this year's AMF World Cup - that's my target," added the current leader in the ABF Tour standings.

Choi, who was seeded fourth, knocked out two Malaysians, second-seed, Aaron Kong and third-seed, Mohd Nadri, 224-199-205 in the first stepladder match before going down to the champion. Liew added another RM20,000 to his winnings this year whie Choi took home RM10,000. Aaron and Nadri won RM5,000 and RM3,000 respectively for finishing third and fourth.

In the all-Korean Ladies' stepladder finals, 2003 World Championship Masters Bronze medalist, Lee Eun Ock secured her first international title since taking up the sport 15 years ago. The 34-year-old ex-international edged team-mate and Asian Championship Gold medalist, Nam Bo Ra, 217-215 to emerge as the champion.

"I've been in the Korean national team for 3 years and after having resigned from the team, I can now participate in more international championships in this region," said Lee through an interpreter and coach, James Kim. Lee won RM12,000 for her effort while Nam Bo Ra took home RM6,000.

Malaysia's Lai Kin Ngoh, who was included as one of the 6 players named for the Women's World Championship on Thursday, failed to

progress when the third-seed was knocked out by the runner-up, Nam Bo Ra in the first match. Nam took the match with 216 against Lai's 203 and team-mate, Han Jun Hee's 206.

More than 2 hunderd bowlers competed in this inaugural championship which included bowlers Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia which was held at Ampnag Superbowl Subang USJ from 1st to 10th July, 2005.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

9th July, P.Jaya: Micky Un of Zing, Pahang had a dominant win leading from start to finish in the Men's Graded Masters finals of the 1st Selangor International Open Bowling Championship while Selangor youths finished 1-2-3 in the Ladies' Graded division.

Un, who was the 2003 Malaysian Open Men's Graded champion and finished runner-up in the same event last year, took the easy win with a total of 2723 over the 12-game finals. Un opened up a commanding lead at start of the finals and at the halfway mark, he had already scored 1396 for exactly 100 pins cushion.

Hafeiz Bakri of ARL Powerbowl, put up a spirited fight but to no avail as he settled for second with 2615, 108 pins adrift in the end while Century Logistics' Samuel Chuah finished third with 2590. But the limelight was stolen by 19-year-old, Soo Chun Kit from Klang.

Vietnam's Ngueying Quoc Thai of Saigon Superbowl took fourth position ahead of two-time Megalanes Super Graded Classic champion, Heric Chong of Selangor and Malaysian National Men's Graded hampion, K.H. Lim of Century Logistics in fifth and sixth.

Soo shot the first perfect game of the championship and won for himself a Proton Gen-2 worth RM65,000, sponsored by Mayban Assurance Berhad. Soo achieved the feat during the 5th game of the finals. "I have to thank my coach, Kenny Ang, who told me to slow down my approach so that I can make accurate shots," said the Klang Bowlzone Proshop employee.

"After the 11th strike, I keep telling myself to stay calm. I was so nervous that I could hardly move in my 12th and last shot. It was a poor delivery but in the end I was lucky to get a Brooklyn strike.

The champion pocketed one of the richest Graded Masters event taking home RM12,000 with Hafeiz winning RM6,000 and Chuah settling for RM3,000. Up to the top 12 were awarded prizes.

Meanwhile, Selangor youths totally dominated the Ladies' Graded division when Nor Amilia, Amalyna Kelana and Ili Syazana took the top 3 positions. Amalyna, who won the Youth Girl's Open Masters title in the morning, was leading most of the way until the final 3 games.

Nor Amilia snatched the title with 227, 224 and 220 in her last 3 games for a total of 2467, 87 pins ahead of Amalyna. Asian Schools Doubles Silver medalist, Ili Syazana finished third with 2344. Vietnam's Huyunh Ngoc Diem Thuy from Saigon took fourth with 2292.

Nor Amilia was richer by RM3,000 for being the champion and Amalyna won RM1,500 in addition to the same amount she won in the Girl's Open division. Ili Syazana took home RM750 for her effort.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.