24th March, P.Jaya: National youth, Siti Safiyah became the youngest-ever Malaysian and only the fourth local woman to win the 28th Malaysian International Open Championship Women's champion title which concluded at the Pyramid Megalanes while Hong Kong's Wonder Boys does it again to take the Men's crown.

With her stunning display, the 14 year-old Siti Safiyah of Selangor, joined Shirley Chow (1978 and 1980), Karen Lian (1990) and current national ace Shalin Zulkifli (1996 and 2004) as winners of this prestigious event.

The Form 3 SMK USJ 13 student captured the Ladies' Open Masters crown when she defeated Sarah Yap in the crucial sudden-death stepladder match 226-204 after loosing the first match 173-193. Siti topped both the Stage I and II 16-game Masters finals over two days and finished as top-seed before facing challenger, Sarah Yap. Despite ousting 3rd-seed, Liza Del Rosario and Lai Kin Ngoh 205-177-199, Yap settled for second.

In the first stepladder match, ex-national Lai Kin Ngoh moved up the

ladder when she knocked out 5th-seed Wendy Chai and 6th-seed Jazreel Tan of Singpore, 196-184-177 but lost her second match to Yap.

"I was feeling tired after the youth finals this morning and I wasn't sure if I could last the distance with another 8 games," said the newly-crown champion. "I have to thank my parents, who have been supporting me all this while as well as my coaches. I'm now looking forward to the Asian Schools championship next month in Jakarta after being selected to represent Malaysia for the second time."

Siti collected RM10,000 for a well-deserved win while Sarah Yap picked up RM5,000. The 2003 champion, Liza Del Rosario took home RM2,500.

Meanwhile, ABF Tour Grand Finals champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong did it again to defy all odds to claim the Men's crown. Wu defeated Malaysia's ex-national, Mustafa Yassin in another thrilling sudden-death stepladder match, 203-171 to bag the top prize of RM20,000.

Wu was forced to play the decider after Mustafa ran away with the first match, 255-215 but the more experienced Wu just kept his cool without making any mistake to put pressure onto his opponent to add another title to his already impressive collection.

The 2nd-seed could not repeat the devastating performance in second match when he out-classed 3rd-seed, Alvin Kwang of Singapore and Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia with 266-222-196 and had to settle for first runner-up.

"We were very tired after having competed in the Kuwait Open just a few days ago," said the champion. "I'm gald I still have the stamina to bowl 16 games and the stepladder finals. I hope I can continue this form into tomorrow's ABF Tour." Mustafa collected RM10,000 for his effort while Singapore's Alvin Kwang pocketed RM5,000.

The top 16 ladies and top 16 men made the cut for the ABF Tour - Canon MAlaysia 2005 leg which will be played over two days, 26th and 27th March in a knock-out format. The matches commencing at 3.00pm on Saturday and 4.00pm on Sunday will be telecast LIVE on Astro Supersport.

Photos by Y.S. Liew, MTBC.

24th March, P.Jaya: Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong hold the trump cards as he led the Men's Open Stage I of the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship at the end of the first eight of 16 games this evening.

The Hong Kong wonder lad topped a field of 42 finalist to take a commanding lead of 81 pins from Singapore's Alvin Kwang in second with 1804 and Malaysia's ex-national, Musatafa Yassin in third with 1786. Zulmazran Zulkifli was amongst the best National kegler finisher in fourth position with 1773.

"I really have to give credit to my coach, Pedro Merani, who helped me so much through the games today.I used the same bowling balls through this session but need to change my line inside as the lanes changed. I hope to do things exactly the same tomorrow, but all I can do is do my best."

Wu, a student, was ninth in last year's Open and aims to top the podium Friday evening to complete the victory on his seventh try. He is certainly inform, clinching the ABF Tour TOC title in Jakarta, Indonesia

in January. Whatever happens tomorrow, he should be well in the top 16 Asian bowlers for the upcoming third leg of the ABF Tour which takes over this center on Saturday and Sunday.

"I just don't know how he does that," remarked Wu as he watched Belmonte use his unique two-handed delivery. "I did try it without any success." Two spectacular high games in this session saw Wu with 290 and Yassin with 289.

A special prize of RM50,000 awaits the players to hit a perfect game during the Masters, divided equally should the feat be performed by multiple players. The top six players after tomorrow's 16-game total will qualify to advance to the Stepladder Finals.

Other Malaysian nationals were Syafiq Ridhwan (7th-1745), Jonathan Lim (8th-1744), Aaron Kong (9th-1716), Alex Liew (12th-1706), Daniel Lim (17th-1652), Eric Ang (18th-1648), Mohd Nadri (19th-1645), Azidi Amrean (25th-1607) and Adrian Ang (32nd-1523).

Photos courtesy of Keith Hale, Bowlers' Journal.

24th March, P.Jaya: The finals of the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship belonged to 15 year-old Siti Safiyah Amirah when she lead a field of four Malaysian keglers in the Ladies' Open Masters Stage I of eight games after winning the Girl's Open Masters earlier in the morning.

Siti Safiyah, who dominated the MSSM 2005 championship two weeks ago sweeping five Gold medals in all the event she competed in, led a field of 33 finalists with a total of 1816 and averaging an impressive 227. She recorded lines of 193, 268, 202, 225, 228, 218, 255 and 227 to finished ahead of 2004 Philippines Open Champion, Sarah Yap in second with 1808.

Selangor's Pharmaton Team member and last year's 2nd-runner-up, Siti Khadijah finished a distant third on 1771. ABF Tour TOC champion, Wendy Chai took fourth place with 1741 while early pace-setter and reigning Singapore National Champion, Jazreel Tan finished fifth with 1719.

"When I won the Girl's Open title this morning, I wasn't sure that I will be able to bowl another 8 games," said the 2004 Milo International

Junior All Stars champion. "I'm surprised and happy to be leading such a strong field. I hope I can continue my form for tomorrow."

Other member of the Malaysian National squad, Zandra Aziela (7th-1633), Shalin Zulkifli The 33 ladies will continue their Stage II finals tommorow for another 8 games to detemine the top 6 for the stepladder finals. The Top 16 Asian ladies will also make the cut for the ABF Tour - Canon Malaysia leg which will be held on the 26th and 27th March.

Siti Safiyah won the Milo International Youth Girl's Open Masters title with 1997 with Christyn Chew in second with 1989 and Zatil Iman in third with 1947. The Boy's Open title went to Korea's Choi Ki Bong with a total of 2245 over the 10-game finals. Malaysia's Syafiq Ridhwan and Zaid Izlan settled for second and third with 2160 and 2105 respectively.

The Boy's Graded tite went to Selangor's Jason Soo after he totalled 1937 with Ahmad Dizkri Adam in second and Sheridan Latiff third with

1904 and 1894 total. Chinese Taipie's Lin Yi-Chen was a runaway champion in the Girl's Graded division with a soreline of 1786 with KL's Betiina Tan in second and Sit Nur Nadia third on 1701 and 1691.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC

23rd March, P.Jaya: Scores soared as bowlers scrambled to make the cut for the Masters finals of the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship at Pyramid Megalanes this evening as Malaysia's Adrian Ang scored the fourth perfect game en-route to topping the leaderboard with 1046.

The Commonwealth Youth Games God medalist, who injured his toe at KLIA on his return from Kuwait after a bowling bag dropped onto his leg, had to rest a day to see if he could compete in this championship. The doctor gave the all clear the following day and Ang immediately took to the lanes.

"At first it hurt but after a few practice throws it was alright," said the 17 year-old youngest national squad member. "My coach, Chris told me to use the new bowling ball that had been drilled for Kuwait Open which was never used . And as soon as I made a few throws, I realised it had good carry when it hit the pocket."

Ang was awesome on the lanes when he started off with 230 then he strung together the magical 12 strikes to score the tournament's fourth

perfect game. Another 268 and 248 rounded off a superb 4-game series of 1046, the highest singles of the day and the tournament. For his effort, Ang has earned the eighth and final Canon PowerShot A400 digital camera.

"I had a good chat with Adrian yesterday to try instill confidence in him especially after seeing him not doing too well in the first few tournaments that he had competed in. I'm glad that he realised that he has the capability to regain the form he showed towards the end of last year," said National Chief Coach, Chris Batson.

Ang score of 1046 has dropped overnight leader and teammate, Zulmazran Zulkifli into second with 1004 while 2005 World Tenpin Team Cup Gold medalist, Dino Castillo occupied third spot with 1002. The third perfect game came yesterday when 2003 AMF World Cup Champion, C.J. Suarez struck 300 during his qualifying rounds. But Suarez's perfect game came after Jonathan Lim shot the tournament's second and did not win any prize. Finn, Pasi Marjamaki scored the first two days ago to win the Canon PowerShot A95 digital camera.

Malaysian national squad also did well with Esther Cheah in second on 907 behind leader Christyn Chew holding on to pole position with 923. Sarah Yap imporved to third with 891. In the overseas pool, Singapore's Amanda Ng grabbed top spot with a superb 894 this afternoon.

"I couldn't maintain my score in my previous attempts and my coach, Pat Henry told me to make some adjustments and it paid off," said the 18 year-old Team Singapore member. "After this squad, I feel more confident and I can do well in the finals. My aim is to stay amongst the leaders so that I can finished in the top 6."

Qualifying will end very late tonight where the top 42 men and top 33 women wil be confirmed to contest tomorrow's Masters finals. The Milo International Youth Masters finals will be played tomorrow (24th March) morning while the Men's and Ladies' Open will be held at 1.00pm.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC

22nd March, P.Jaya: Malaysian bowlers on their return from Kuwait, stamped their mark in the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship this afternoon when Jonathan Lim scored the second perfect game while Zulmazran Zukifli topped the Men's Open Masters leaderboard with a scintillating display.

The 21 year-old 2003 National Champion started off his 2.30pm qualifying round with 231 followed by 237 and 221. But his final game, Lim brought home 12 consecutive strikes in fornt of a large cheering crowd to claim the second perfect game of the tournament. His 4-game total was 989, just 1 pin shot of top spot in the local pool.

Lim also claimed the Canon MVX30i digital camcorder worth RM3,999 for shooting the second perfect game. "I almost better my 904 scored before we left for Kuwait but because I was very tired after our return, I could not concentrate well," said the 2003 Natioal Champion. "Today my momentum was better so was my concentration. I was just trying to make the finals and I couldn't ask for more after scoring the perfect game."

At the same 2.30pm squad, teammate and Commonwealth Championship triple Gold medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli put on a scintillating display to score 1004, the highest so far in the tournament to grab top spot in the leaderboard. The 22 year-old posted lines of 245, 242, 279 and 238 and won for himself a Canon PowerShot A400 digital camera as the Highest Singles of the Day award. National youth, Zaid Izlan dropped one rung to second with 990 while Jonathan Lim settled for third.

"I could have made the finals yesterday if not for several bad shots but today I change my line slightly and had better carry and more strikes," said the 2001 National Champion. "I have regained my confidence after a disappointing outing in Kuwait. I have a practice squad tomorrow and if I can score as high as today, I'm confident that I can make the top 6 stepladder finals.

In the overseas pool, yesterday's Highest Singles award winner, Helmi Chew of Singapore maintained pole with 970 followed by Swede, Martin Blixt in second with 964 and American-born, Reese Young III of Hong Kong third with 957.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Youth Games Gold medalist, Zandra Aziela stormed into second spot in the ladies open division with a score of 872, behind leader Christy Chew of Selangor. Third position went to 2004 Mili Junior International All Stars champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah.

Top spot in the overseas pool was taken over by 2003 World Championship Trios Gold medalist, Cecilia Yap of the Philippines, who posted 870. Second spot went to teammate, Liza Clutario with 868 whie hinee Taipei's Chu Yu Chieh and Singapore's Amanda Ng shared finished third position with 860.

Qualifying continues until tomorrow, 23rd March. The top 42 men and top 36 women will contest the Masters finals over two blocks of 10 games on Thursday and Friday. The top 16 Asian men and women will make the cut for the ABF Tour Canon Malaysia Leg on the 26th and 27th March.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC

21st March, P.Jaya: Pasi Marjamaki of Finland became the first bowler to shoot a perfect game of 300 of the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship at Pyramid Megalanes this afternoon.

The 29 year-old computer technician had a good start in his 4.30pm qualifying round when he posted 254 in the first game then set the lanes on fire to string together 12 consecutive strikes to score the first perfect game of 300 of the tournament and his career 13th.

The nerves must have set in as Marjamaki could only manage 193 and 187 in his subsequent two games for a total of 933. "This is my first tournament of the year laying off for more than 6 months and I find it very difficult to maintain my rythmn," said Marjamaki.

"I've not been consistent due to lack of training but I hope that with a few more attempts, it would help my game later as I am confident to make the finals."

The day's high belonged to reigning Singapore National champion, Helmi Chew who totalled 970 in the morning with lines of 254, 266, 220 and 230. His effort has not only earned him top spot in the Men's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard but also the Canon PowerShot A400 digital camera as the Highest Singles of the Day.

World Championship Team Gold medalist, Martin Blixt recorded 960 take up second while yesterday's Highest Singles award winner, Reese Young III dropped to third with 957. Marjamaki's 933 put him in 8th position in the table.

In the local pool, youngster Zaid Izlan maintained the lead with his 990 scored five days ago with MSSM 2005 four Gold medalist, Syahereza Fajrin in the second with 940. Ex-national Mustafa Yassin took third spot with 924.

There was no change in the local pool of the ladies division but Chinese Taipei dominated by taking up 6 out of the 11 slots in the overseas pool. Tsai Hsin-Yi topped tha table with 852 followed by Huang Chiung-Yao in second with 852. Asian Championship Singles old medalist, Alice Tay was third with 845.

Malaysian national bowlers have all arrive back in Petaling Jaya this afternnon and will be taking on the lanes this evening while the rest of the overseas participants have also arrive from after competing in the Kuwait Open and ABF Tour Kuwait leg. Scores will definitely be changing more frequently.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC

20th March, P.Jaya: Tournament newcomer, Choi Ki Bong of Korea won the fifth dya's Highest Singles camera award en-route to topping the Boy's Open Masters qualifying table of the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship at Pyramid Megalanes this evening.

The 21 year-old Government servant from Seoul and competing for the first time in Malaysia, recorded lines of 234, 243, 204 and 279 for a total of 960 to take over the overall lead of the Milo International Youth Boy's Open Masters leaderboard.

Playing only his third attempt, the 2004 East Asian Games Team and Doubles Gold medalist said through an interpreter that he has been scoring 850-plus in his first two qualifying rounds but could not socre high so he decided to try a different line and it paid off.

For his effort, Choi will also take home a Canon PowerShot A400 digital camera after scoring the sixth Highest Singles of the Day. Brunei's brothers of Iqbal Dami and Bahzi Damit took second and third spots in the overseas table with 826 and 785.

National Youth, Syafiq Ridhwan continued to top the local table with 956 ahead of Selangor's Kelvin Keong in second with 922. Penang's Mohd Faiz Shahruddin finished third with 921.

There were not much movements in the positions of the other divisions as the championship awaits the arrival of bowlers from the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Reigning World Ranking Masters champion, Diandra Asbaty, 2005 World Tenpin Team Cup Gold medalist, Dino Castillo, both from USA have also arrived and will be starting their attempts tomorrow.

Newly-crowned Kuwait Open champion, Jason Belmonte and newly-crowned ABF Tour Kuwait Leg champion, Andrew Frawley will arrive together with those who competed in the two tournaments in Kuwait.

Photo by Terence Yaw, MTBC

19th March, P.Jaya: American-born, Reese Young III from Hong Kong was in scintillating form at the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship when he scored 957 in his first attempt to take over pole position of the Men's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard.

The 37 year-old posted 247, 242, 212 and 256 this afternoon to record the Highest Singles and won for himself a Canon Powershot A400 digital camera worth RM699. Young, who works for an American electronic data systems in Hong Kong has improved since his last visit here to Malaysia.

Young only managed to qualify for last year's Men's Graded finals in the desparado squad after more than 10 attempts and he did not bowl well in the finals either finishing a disappointing 16th. "I've trained hard since then, under coach and ex-international, Frankie Cheung and I've decided to compete in the Open division this year," said Young..

"I am delighted to have qualified so early after only arriving yesterday and to win the camera," he added. "I am quite confident that I will be

able to do well in top flight and that's where I want to be." Asked if he would like to make the cut for the ABF Tour Malaysia leg, the Service Delivery Manager replied that under the new ruling, only residents born in Asian countries are allowed to compete.

Overnight leader and winner of the third camera, Thomas Cheung dropped to second in the overseas pool with 947 while Brunei's season campaigner, Mohd Shahwall Mustafa was third with 892. National youth, Zaid Izlan continued to top the local and overall table with 990 posted three days ago, when he bagged the first Highest Singles award.

Earlier in the afternoon, another national youth, Syahereza Fajrin, who won 4 Gold medals in the MSSM 2005 championship two weeks ago, almost won the camera when he totalled 940. The 16 year-old blizted the lanes with lines of 225, 226, 225 and 264 to take up second spot behind Zaid. Ex-national, Mustafa Yassin settled for third with 919.

There was no changes in the ladies division with Seangor's golden girl, Christyn Chew holding on to the lead with 923. The effort earned her the Canon camera after scoring the Highest Singles of the Day on Wednesday afternoon. Ex-national, Low Poh Lian and Siti Safiyah Amirah took second and third positions with 860 and 845 respectively.

Quaifying continues through to the 23rd March leaving 4 more days for participants to make the Masters finals as well as having a chance to win the Highest Singes award. Scores wil start to soar as soon as the majority of the overseas bowers arrive and also when the Malaysian national team returns from Kuwait.

Photo by Terence Yaw, MTBC

18th March, P.Jaya: The highest Singles of the day in the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship, went to Thomas Cheung of England who posted 947 in the Men's Open Masters qualifying round at Pyramid Megalanes this afternoon.

The 31 year-old from Pro Shop One, London had lines of 244, 269, 207 and 227 to improve his score from 910 in his previous attempt, to take up the top spot in the overseas pool. Cheung's score is the second overall, 53 pins adrift the leader, Zaid Izlan. Zaid took the first Canon A400 digital camera after he scored 990 two days ago.

Ex-national, Mustafa Yassin maintained his second spot in the local table with 919 while Aaron Kong, who scored 910 before leaving Malaysia to compete in the Kuwait International Open, remained third in the table.

Mohd Faiz of Penang almost collected the camera when he scored 921 in his Boy's Open Masters qualifying round earlier but was bettered by Cheung's 947. But his score has secured him a second spot in the Boy's table, 35 pins from the leader, Syafiq Ridhwan of Negeri Sembilan on 956.

Early leader, Zaid Izlan dropped one rung to third spot with 887 ahead of MSSM 2005 four Gold medalist, Syahereza Fajrin in fourth place with 886.

In the ladies open division, ex-national Low Poh Lian maintained top spot with 860 with last year's Milo International Junior All Stars champion, Siti Safiyah improving to take up second with 845 while another ex-national, Lai Kin Ngoh in third with 844.

This year's KL International Open champion, Tang Joh Six and national youth, Sharon Koh occupied fourth and fifth spots with 834 and 828 respectively.

The majority of the overseas bowlers will be arriving tomorrow, 19th March while the rest will arrive after they have completed the Kuwait Open and the ABF Tour Kuwait leg which ends on the 19th and 20th March.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC

17th March, P.Jaya: Selangor's golden girl, Christyn Chew stormed into the lead of the Milo International Youth Girl's Open Masters qualifying table of the 28th Malaysian International Open and claimed a Canon A400 digital camera as the highest Singles of the Day award.

The 16 year-old 3 Gold and 3 Silver medalist of the 2004 SUKMA, set the Pyramid Megalanes at Sunway Lagoon Resort, on fire when she posted 224, 279, 223 and 195 for a total of 921 to take over the lead in the Girl's Open Masters table.

Christyn only managed a Team Gold in the 29th Malaysian National Championship in February and is determined to do better this time out.

"I will be having my SPM examinations this year and this will probably be my last few chances to do well before I concentrate on my studies," said Christyn. "I don't think I will compete in the 8th Asian Schools Championship even if I'm selected as my coach feels that I'm not quite ready for international tournaments," added the Form 5 Catholic High School student.

National youth, Yap Pui Yee finished second with 855 ahead of overnight leader, Sharon Koh, who settled for third spot with 836.

Meanwhile, ex-national Low Poh Lian grabbed the lead from 2004 Milo International Juniot All Stars champion, Siti Safiyah with a score of 860, just 15 pins ahead of Safiyah, who posted 845 last night. Another ex-national, Lai Kin Ngoh dropped one rung to third with 844.

There were not much changes in both the Men's and Boy's Open division while the championship awaits the national team and other overseas bowlers currently competing in the Kuwait International Open which ends on the 19th March followed by the ABF Tour Kuwait on 20th March.

Photo by Terence Yaw, MTBC

16th March, P.Jaya: National youth, Zaid Izlan bagged the highest singles of the day in the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship en-route to topping the Men's Open Masters qualifying table.

The 16 year-old 2nd Commonwealth Youth Games Gold medalist set the Pyramid Magelanes on fire when he posted 225, 229, 279 and 257 to bag the Canon A400 digital camera with the highest Singles recorded for the day with 990.

Ex-national, Mustafa Yassin dropped one spot to second after leading the table for 5 days with 919 while 5th Milo International Junior All Stars champion, Aaron Kong finished third with 910. Kong, who is currently competing in the Kuwait International Open, scored the 910 on the first day of the competition before leaving for Kuwait the same evening.

2003 National Champion, Jonathan Lim finished fourth with 904 while another ex-national, Lim Fung Jung took fifth spot with 894.

There is no change in the Ladies' Open division with Milo International Junior All Stars champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah occupying top spot with 845 followed by ex-national, Lai Kin Ngoh in second with 844. 2005 KL International Open champion, Tang Joh Six was third with 834.

2003 Malaysian Open Men's Graded champion, Micky Un almost snatch the highest singles award from Zaid Izlan when he posted 976, just 14 pins short of the 990 scored by Zaid earlier in the afternoon. Un knocked down 256, 252, 244 and 224 to take over the lead in the Men's Graded division.

Last year's 9-Pin Tap champion, Gan Kim Hui dropped to second with 928 while Pyramid Megalanes Proshop supervisor, Sheqal Jahuri took third spot with 906.

Top spot of the Boy's Open division went to national youth, Syafiq Ridhwan of Negeri Sembilan, who totalled 956 pushing down overnight leader, Zaid Izlan to second on 872. Johor's Wan Mohd Fauzwan in third with 819.

There will be a Canon A400 digital camera awarded each day to the highest singles acheived. This award will continue throught to the final day of qualifying on the 23rd March before the Masters finals on the 24th and 25th March.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

15th March, P.Jaya: National youth, Zaid Izlan topped the youth Boy's Open Masters qualifying table of the 28th Malaysian International Open underway at Pyramid Megalanes.

The 16 year-old, who won 1 Gold medal and 2 Silver medals in the 2nd Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo, Australia last year, posted lines of 208, 264, 197 and 224 for a total of 893 to take the lead in the the Boy's Open Masters qualifying table on Day 1 of the championship underway at Pyramid Megalanes.

Zaid, a member of the national youth team will also be taking part in this year's national youth roll-off schedule on the 26th March, will be hoping to do well in this championship to confirm his place in the squad this year. Zaid will also be hoping to be selected for this year's 8th Asian Schools Championship in Jakarta in April 4 - 9.

Second in the table is Wan Mohd Fauzwan from Johor with 819 followed by Amir Syakiran of Selangor in third with 818.

In the Girl's division, Junior Circuit GP Finals champion, Sharon Koh occupied top spot with 836. The 17 year-old national youth member knocked down 226, 183, 214 and 213 for a total of 836, just 3 pins ahead of Junior Circuit Perak leg 1st runner-up, Wan Nur Atiqqa of Johor with 833.

Four Gold medalist in the recent MSSM 2005 championship, Siti Safiyah Amirah of Selangor finished third with 826 followed by Chrisytn Chew and Zatil Iman in fourth and fifth with 794 and 749 respectively.

Meanwhile, ex-national Mustafa Yassin of Selangor recorded the highest score after he scored 919 to take the lead with lines of 233, 237, 211 and 238. Most of the national team members are in Kuwait competing in the 2nd Kuwait International Open but had one day on the 12th March to make their attempts before they left for Kuwait.

5th Milo International Junior All Stars champion, Aaron Kong posted 213, 249, 234 and 214 to take up second with 910 ahead of 2003 ational champion, Jonathan Lim in third spot with 904. Mohd Shahwall Mustafa of Brunei is the only one in the overseas table. He totalled 892.

In the ladies division, Siti Safiyah Amirah was equally impressive when the 15 year-old 5th Milo Junior All Stars champion posted 200, 186, 225 and 234 to take the lead with 845. Ex-national, Lai Kin Ngoh followed in second spot with 844 while 2005 KL International Open champion, Tang Joh Six took third spot with 834.

Most of the overseas bowlers, who are not competing in the Kuwait Open will be arriving Malaysia from the 19th March onwards while the rest will be arriving here after they finish the Kuwait Open and the ABF Tour Kuwait leg on the 21st March.

Qualifying continues until 23rd March. Commencing today, the highest 4-game Singles recorded each day will receive a Canon A400 digital camera worth RM699. There are 8 units to be awarded daily until 23rd March.

Photo by Terence Yaw/MTBC.

10th March, P.Jaya: The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress today announced that the 28th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship scheduled from the 12th to 25th March, 2005 at Pyramid Megalanes, Sunway Lagoon Resort will have world-class bowlers competing.

Reigning AMF World Cup champion, Kai Virtanen of Finland has accepted our invitation to compete in this year's championship. Virtanen, the 35-year-old who won the coveted 41st AMF Bowling World Cup in December in Singapore, will be making his first-ever appearance in the Malaysian International Open.

Joining him from Finland will be Teemu Raatikaien, the 1996 World Tenpin Team Cup and 1986 European Team Cup Gold medalist recently partnered Virtanen to capture the 2004 Torneo Internazionale di Doppio Doubles title in Turin, Italy. Sweden's Martin Blixt, who was a team member of the 2003 World Championship Team Gold medalist, has also confirmed his participation.

2003 Singapore Open champion and a member of Team USA winning a Team Gold medal in the 2003 World Champion, Dino Castillo will be participating as well.

Reigning World Tenpin Masters champion, Diandra Asbaty of USA heads the list of women world champions competing in this year's championship. Asbaty, who won the Masters Gold medal in the 2003 World Championship here, also participated in last year's tournament and she is looking forward to return for another year.

World champions from the Asian region are also well represented. The list includes 1999 World Cup champion and World Championship Gold medalist, Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar. The Asian Ranked No. 1 is joined by Australia's Jason Belmonte, who won two Gold medals in the World Youth Championship in Guam last year

2003 AMF World Cup champion, C.J. Suarez, who scored a perfect game in last year's championship here will also be joined by 5th Qatar Open and triple Gold medalist of the Busan Asian Games, Remy Ong of Singapore and 2004 ABF Tour TOC champion, Wu Siu Hong from Hong Kong. Chinese Taipei's triple Gold medalist at the 18th Asian Championship in Bangkok, Wu Hao-Ming will also be vying for honors here.

Asian women are also well represented with Filipino, Liza Del Rosario, 2004 Singapore Open champion, a regular here for the Malaysian Open. Rosario also won the Malaysian Open title in 2003. World Ranking Masters 2002 Champion, Jennifer Tan will lead a strong team of women bowlers from Singapore to join in the competition.

And finally, our Malaysia charge will be led by our bowling queen and defending champion, Shalin Zulkifli, who recently won three Gold medals in the Commonwealth Championship in Cyprus and defeating Qatar's Ahmed Shaheen in the all-men H.H. Emir Cup in Doha. She is joined by ABF Tour TOC champion, Wendy Chai. Wendy also won the inaugural ABF Tour 2004 Malaysia leg. 2004 Philippines Open champion, Sarah Yap will also be pitching her skills in this top-class field. Our younger charge will be from ABF Tour TOC runner-up and Commonwealth Youth Games Masters Gold medalist, Esther Cheah together with Commonwealth Youth Games Doubles Gold medalist, Zandra Aziela.

The men of course will be headed by the recent ABF Tour Qatar leg champion and Commonwealth Championship two Gold medalists, Alex Liew. The men's defending champion, Daniel Lim will also be on hand to defend the title he won last year. Azidi Ameran will also try to retake the Malaysian Open title he won in 2003. Zulmazran Zulkifli, who shot a perfect game in Commonwealth Championship en-route to winning three Gold medals, will also be here to make an impact.

With all the world champions from the American, European and Asian zones, this year's championship promises to be a classic and will bound to attract the best.

"The response received so far has been overwhelming not because we have substantially increased our prize money from RM95,000 to RM165,000, but because we have been able to gather so many world-class bowlers proves to be a good platform for the competing bowlers to measure their capabilities," said Tuan Haji Badruddin, Co-Organising Chairman and Deputy President of MTBC.

"Organising such a large scale tournament is undoubtedly made possible by our strong sponsors for whom we express our sincere gratitude for their support," added Haji Badruddin.

The tournament's Joint-Main sponsors are Sri Jentayu Sdn Bhd - Taja Gemilang Program partner, Canon Marketing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd - National Team Sponsor and Sunway Lagoon Resort - Official Hotel. The Official Airline is Malaysia Airlines - responsible for flying in the world-class bowlers and providing specially-priced air fare for our participants. Our Co-Sponsors are Nestle (MILO) Products - sponsor of the MILO International Youth Masters, Antioni Sdn Bhd - National Team and official attire, and Pyramid Megalanes - official venue.

Canon Marketing (Malaysia) is also sponsoring two first perfect games: A Canon Power Short A95 Digital camera worth RM1,599 each, one for the adult and one for the youth category. The second perfect game for all categories consist of a MVX 30i Digital Camcorder worth RM3,999. In addition to these two awards, Canon is also offering a total of 8 Canon A400 Digital cameras worth RM699 each for the daily high game achieved by any bowler with the highest game score on each day from the 16th to 23rd March, 2005.

There will be a RM50,000 Cash award to the first bowler to bowl a Perfect Game during the Masters Finals on the 24th and/or 25th March, 2005. If there are more than one bowler soring the perfect game, the RM50,000 will be equally shared amongst them.

Qualifying for the local bowlers in the 28th Malaysian International Open commences on the 12th March and finishes on the 19th March while from 20th March onwards, the squads will be reserved for overseas bowlers and will end 23rd March. The Masters finals will be held on the 24th and 25th March.

At the end of the Masters finals, the top 16 Asian men and women will automatically qualify for the ABF Tour Malaysia 2005 which will be held on the 26th and 27th arch at the same venue. Both the two days tour will be telecast LIVE on Astro Supersport.

Photo by Terence Yaw/MTBC.