16th January, P.Jaya: The 30th Malaysian National Championships, which concluded this afternoon at Pyramid Mega Lanes, belonged to the youngsters as national rookie, Sharon Koh Suet Len and Asian Youth-bound, Adrian Ang were crowned the 2005 National Champions.

Sharon, who won three Gold medals in the 19th Interstate Chanpionship two days ago, continued her fine form to edge her fellow national teammate, Siti Safiyah by just 8 pins to capture her first major title in the senior ranks. The champion was recently promoted from the national youth team to the Gemilang 2010 National Squad just last week.

In the first block of 8 games played on Sunday, Koh trailed leader, Nur Syakirah Yeoh by 20 pins going into today's second block. As soon as the field took to the lanes, Koh immediately regained the lead and was scoring consistently with Siti Safiyah mounting a challenge.

Despite loosing the lead after the 15th game by just 4 pins, she fought back galantly to edge Siti Safiyah and to claim the national title with a

with a total of 3392 to Siti's 3384. Koh became the second youngest female to win the title after Shalin Zulkifli, who was 14 when she was crowned the national champion in 1992.

"I was so nervous towards the end of the second block but kept saying to myself that I have to stay focus," said the beaming champion. "I have to thank my coach, Holloway Cheah, who has help me so much over the years especially since training under him in the national youth team.

Siti Safiyah, who herself became the youngest-ever to win last year's Malaysian International Open at the age of 14, settled for second while another national rookie and overnight leader, Nur Syakirah Yeoh also did well to edge Choy Poh Lai by 6 pins for third position with 3286.

Another history was created when young Adrian Ang, at the age of 17, became the youngest-ever men to win the National Champion title. The overnight leader set the lanes ablazed as the men took the second block to task this morning. Except for two sub-200 games in the 15th and 16th games, Ang's lead was never really threatened.

The champion went on to claim the National Champion title with a 30 pins cushion on a 16-game total of 3571. Southpaw and SEA Games Gold medalist, Ben Heng, who was second most of the way, retained second to finish as runner-up with 3541.

Interstate Singles Gold medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli, stormed home with a final game of 269 to snatch third spot with 3537 from national rookie, Isaac Russell Paul of Sarawak. Isaac settled for fourth with 3478 ahead of another Sarawakian and national bowler, Jonathan Lim in fifth with 3456.

The men national champion took home RM7,000 for his efforts while the ladies national champion was richer by RM3,000. Four Canon A410 digital cameras were also awarded to four bowlers who shot the highest games during the qualifying rounds from the 11th to 14th January.

Muhd Hazri Huzaliy of Kuala Lumpur (11th-299), Zulmazran Zulkifli (12th-300), Syahereza Fajrin (13th-279) and Suhaimi Ramat (14th-270) were presented the cameras, sponsorered by Canon Marketing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd during the prize presentation by Mr George Heng, Vice President of MTBC.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

15th January, P.Jaya: Newly-recruited national squad member, Nur Syakirah Yeoh of Johor gave a superb account of herself in top flight as she led the Ladies' Open first block Masters finals in the 30th Malaysian National Championship this afternoon.

The 17-year-old Bukit Jalil Sports Schools pre-u student was a member of the national youth team in 2005 and was recently promoted into the ranks of national squad under the Gemilang 2010. Nur Syakira won two Junior Circuit titles, finished second in the Selangor Open and was placed fifth twice in the Indonesia and Penang Pesta championship in 2005.

She was also part of the team that won the Team Gold medal in the 8th Asian Schools Championship in Jakarta last year. But the leader only snatched the lead with a high game of 258 in the tenth game after trailing leader and triple Gold medalist in the Interstate championship, Sharon Koh.

Koh, 17, who was also promoted into the national squad this month, set a blistering pace leading almost all the way except to two slightly poorer

games of 177 and 178 in the sixth and seventh games. And despite bouncing back with 235, Koh settled for second with 1719 to Nur Syakira's 1739.

"I knew I was closing in on to the leaders but didn't know that I've actually taken the lead," said the surprised Nur Syakirah. "I just lost a bit of concentration in game 6 and 7 when I got those two poor games," said Sharon, who also won the prestigious Milo International Junior All Stars title last year.

Another youngster and Malaysian Open champion, Siti Safiyah, 14, also brought home a high game of 279 in the sixth game to allow her to close up on the leaders and to eventually finish third with 1718, just 1 pins from Koh.

Meanwhile, Interstate two Gold medalist, Adrian Ang led from start to finish to lead field of 20 finalists into tomorrow's second block on a total of 1848. Southpaw and SEA Games Gold medalist, Ben Heng did well to take up second on 1765, 83 pins adrift.

Pahang International Open champion, Jonathan Lim finished third with 1731 ahead of last year's second runner-up and ex-national, Lim Fung Jung of Pahang fourth with 1718 and Mustafa Yassin of Selangor fifth with 1704.

Defending champion and newly-crowned ABF Tour TOC champion, Daniel Lim finished down the field in 15th with 1547. The ladies and men will complete their second block of another 8 games to determine this year's national champion.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

15th January, P.Jaya: Interstate Championship Boy's All Events Gold medalist, Nor Afizal Azizan of Negeri Sembilan, shone on his first test to win the Milo Youth Boy's Open Masters title in the 30th Malaysian National Championship this morning.

The 14-year-old son of the Negeri Sembilan chief coach, Azizan Ishak, was amongst the top 5 for most of the 10-game final until he shot two massive games of 267 and 258 in the ninth and tenth game to snatch the victory with 2233 pinfalls.

"I'm so happy to win this title and I dedicate the win to my father wh has helped me a lot since I took up the game," said the National youth squad member, Afizal. "I know I had a chance to be in the top 3 if I can score big games but didn't expect to win after that.

Pace-setter and Interstate Doubles Silver medalist, Fahmi Bahri of Johor finished second, 56 pins adrift on 2177 while Sabah's Mohammed Zaim also could not sustain the pace and dropped to third with 2040.

Interstate Team Gold medalist, Christyn Chew of Selangor emerged the Milo Youth Girl's Open champion when she cruised to an easy victory with 2093 pinfalls, 189 pins ahead of teammate, Amalyna Kelana, who settled for second with 1904.

Sarawak's Wilhelmina Wee finished a superb third with a total score of 1885 with Selangor's Ili Syazana and Johor's Siti Shazwani taking fourth and fifth spots with 1866 and 1863 respectively.

Sarawak swept the Milo Youth Boy's and Girl's Graded titles when Nazrin Wagiman and Dyg Khairuniza triumped with 1948 and 1910 scorelines. Nazrin, 15, from St. Thomas' in Kuching posted lines 199 254, 165, 162, 224, 172, 205, 191, 191 and 185 to win the boy's crown ahead of Mohd Alif of Johor and Perak's Teh Lit Qing finished second and third in the boy's division.

Meanwhile, the girl's title was 14-year-old, Dyg Khairuniza from SMK Batu Lintang in Kuching first major title since taking up bowling just 2 years ago.

Second and third spots in the girl's graded didivion went to Pyramid Youth's Melisa Lee and Aqilah Aziyanie From Shah Alam. The Boy's champion took hme RM1,200 as top prize while the girl's top prize was RM800.

The Ladies' and Men's Open Masters first block of 8 games finals will be held shortly and will continue their second block on Monday, 16th January where the 2005 National Champions will be decided.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

12th January, P.Jaya: Asian Youth bound, Zulmazran Zulkifli shot the tournament's second perfect game to take over the lead of the Men's Open Masters qualifying table of the 30th Malaysian National Bowling Championship at Pyramid Mega Lanes.

The 22-year-old, who will be competing in his last Asian Youth championship next month in Perth, started with 214 and then the perfect 300 in the second game. The leader then chalked up 244 and a moderate 201 to amassed a 4-game total of 959.

"This is my first attempt since coming back from Jakarta after the ABF Tour TOC and being able to shoot the 300 and qualified with 959 is satisfying, said the last 2005 ABF Tour Malaysia leg champion.

"I hope I will be able to put this in good use for the Interstate championships which starts today (Thursday), added Zulmazran, who won the highest game award of a Canon A410 Digital camera worth RM699, sponsored by Canon Marketing (Malaysia). Four cameras is on offer with the first going to Mohd Hazri Huzaly of Kuala Lumpur, who shot 299 on Wednesday evening.

Last year's second runner-up in the National championship Open division, Lim Fung Jung, who led from day 1 of the competition, dropped to second with 910 while national bowler, Zaid Izlan stormed into third spot with 908. Asian Youth bound, Adrian Ang, who shot the tournament's first perfect game took up fourth position with 904 with Syafiq Ridhwan rounding up the top 5 in fifth with 894.

Meanwhile, Siti Khadijah Osman of Selangor, leads the ladies' division with an impressive score of 918 from national youth, Yap Pui Yee of Kuala Lumpur in second with 896. This year's Malaysian Open champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah claimed third position with a 4-game total of 857.

Newly promoted national squad member under NSC's Gemilang 2010, Nur Syakira Yeoh of Johor finished fourth in the table with 842 ahead of national bowler, Wendy Chai in fifth spot with 841.

Junior Circuit GP Finals first runner-up and national youth member, Fahmi Bahri of Johor, occupied top spot in the Milo Boy's Open division with a total of 910 followed by national youth memeber from Pahang, Rodson Tong in second with 875 while Abdul Muhaimin from Perak took third spot with 873.

Borneo Games Singles Gold medalist, Nadia Wagiman of Sarawak topped the Milo Girl's Open Masters table with 838 ahead of Siti Khadijah in second with 815 followed by Siti Shazwani of Johor in third with 799. Qualifying continues through to the 14th January and the Masters finals will be held on the 15th and 16th January.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

11th January, P.Jaya: Sarawak youths dominated the Peter Yap's Memorial Cup for children under the age of 14 which was held after the official opening ceremony of the 30th Malaysian National and 19th Interstate Bowling Championships at Pyramid Mega Lanes.

Nazriman Wagiman, 14 of SMK St. Thomas in Kuching, took the Overall Champion's title and the Boy's crown when he amassed a total of 643 pinfalls over the 3-game event and an impressive 214 average. Trained in Kuching by one of the coaches of Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak, Reggie Walter, Nazriman has been bowling for 4 years and this was his first-ever success.

"I like to dedicate this win to my coach and especially my father, who has been very supportive and always encouraging me," said the slightly shy Nazriman. Ahmad Faisal and Raddin Rafiquzzaman finished second and third with 598 and 575 pinfalls respectively.

The girl's title went to another 14-year-old, Jacqueline Sijore of SMK Batu Lintnag in Kuching. Jacqueline, who won the Singles Bronze medal in the inaugural Malaysian Women's Games last month here in Kuala Lumpur, chalked up a total of 587.

Jacqueline took up bowling after joinging the schools sports club and following friends to the bowling center. The champion is trained by Sarawak's Gary Wee, who is also one of the coaches with the Sarawak team competing in the Interstate championship.

Dayang Khairuniza, also from Sarawak, finished second with 554 while Farah Izzazaya from Pahang took third spot with 543. Farah Zakiah and Nazira Nasir completed the top 5 in the girl's division.

All the winners received a trophy and MILO hamper each, which was presented to the winners by Mr Alvin Yap, son of the late Deputy President of MTBC, Mr Peter Yap, for which this cup is named after. Mr Yap also presented medals to all the 72 children who participated in this year's event.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

11th January, P.Jaya: A total of fourteen states entered full teams consisting of 4 men, 4 women, 4 boys and 4 girls to the 19th Malaysian Interstate Bowling Championships which held its opening ceremony officiated by YB Dato' Ong Tee Keat, Deputy Minister for Youth & Sports Malaysia.

The fourteen teams participated in a colorful opening march past which was introduced to the Guest of Honor, YB Dato' Ong Tee Keat, Deputy Minister for Youth & Sports Malaysia and distinguished guests who attended the opening.

"This is the 30th consecutive year that we are hosting the Malaysian National and Interstate Championships. I doubt if there is any other National Sport Organization in Malaysia that can match this record. It is testimony to the commitment of the leadership of the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress," said Dato Dr P S Nathan, president of MTBC in his welcoming speech.

A total of 72 children under the age of 14 also took part in the marchpast and competed in the Peter Yap's Memorial Cup, held in memory of the late Deputy President and co-founder of MTBC, Mr Peter Yap.

"Before Tenpin Bowling was included as one of the 8 Core Sports under the Special Cabinet for Sports, Tenpin Bowling has already been achieving tremendous international successes and 2005 is no exception," said Dato' Ong in his opening address.

"The historical feat of winning a first-ever individual Gold medal in the Women’s World Championship in July by Esther Cheah in Denmark indicates greater things to come. And apart from winning 24 international titles in 2005, national bowlers, Alex Liew and Wendy Chai emerged No. 1 in the Asian Ranking. These are indeed testimonies of the developments achieved by Tenpin Bowling.

Dato' Ong also presented a souvenir and an incentive of RM3,000 cheque to Asian ranked No. 1, Alex Liew for being awarded the Men Bowler of the Year 2005 while Wendy Chai also received a souvenir and RM3,000 cheque for the Women Bowler of the Year 2005.

The guest of honor also represented souvenirs to sponsors and to each of the team managers of the participating teams.

The 19th Malaysian Interstates starts tomorrow, 12th January with the Singles event, doubles on the 13th and the Team event on the 14th. The 30th Malaysian National Championships, which started two days ago will hold its Masters finals on the 15th and 16th.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.