13th May, Bangkok: National kegler, Esther Cheah claimed her maiden international title after she fought back gallantly to defeat challenger, Chien Hsiu Len of Chinese Taipei, 249-189 in the women's final stepladder match of the 31st Thailand International Bowling Championship just concluded Friday afternoon.

Cheah, who led the the first block yesterday, continued her superb form in today's second block of eight games finishing top yet again with a total score of 3814. In the first match against the challenger, Chien Hsiu Len of Chinese Taipei, Cheah had two open frames to finish with 167 while Chien had a smooth sailing game of 234.

Displaying sheer determination and courage, the 19-year-old built up an unsurmountable margin with six strikes in a row from frame 2 onwards. Several unforced errors saw the challenger opening two frames this time and by the halfway mark, it was all over and Cheah was certain of her victory.

"After finishing the second block, we had to wait a while before the stepladder finals got going and the wait must have been too long," said the beaming champion. "I was unable to get good grip on the bowling

ball and hence my delivery was way off tha target. Fortunately, after the first game, I got warmed up and was back to my usual self.

Chien Hsiu Len settled for second despite defeating third-seed, Choy Poh Lai of Malaysia and winner the first match, Jennifer Tan of Singapore, 208-157-162 before seeng her hopes dashed. Choy retained third spot while Jennifer Tan took fourth spot.

Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia and Huang Chiung Yao of Chinese Taipei took fifth and sixth position respectively after losing the first match to Chien, 188-173-213.

The men's title went to Thailand's Sithiphol Kunaksorn after he defeated team-mate and challenger, Surasak Manuwong, 204-193 in the final match. Both the Thai had one open frame each but it was Sithiphol who was the more lucky one with the ability to bring home two double strikes to seal the match.

Malaysia's best performer in the men's division was Azidi Ameran after he ousted fifth-seed, Biboy Rivera of the Philippines and UAE's Shaker Al Hassan, 191-154-180 to face the second-seed, Surasak Manuwong and third-seed, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand.

Surasak proved too good for both Yannaphon and Azidi winning the match, 215-180-190 before losing to the champion. Malaysia's other finalists, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Alex Liew and Aaron Kong gave a good account for themselves by finishing 7th, 10th and 12th to make the cut for the ABF Tour Thailand Leg.

Adrian and and Syafiq Ridhwan did not bowl too well in the first block and therefore had too much deficit to make the cut. All the three women comfortably made the cut after qualifying for the stepladder finals. Detailed scores of Women's Stepladder and Men's Stepladder are available here.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

12th May, Bangkok: Malaysian bowlers put up a scintillating performance in the Masters finals of the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Champiosnhip with Esther Cheah and Azidi Ameran topping both the men's and women's first block of 8 games.

Cheah stole the limelight of the women's division when she totalled 1775 for a comfortable 102 pins lead at the end of the first block of 8 games played Friday evening at BSC Bowl, RCA Plaza. Cheah started off her finals with 192, 192, 258, 199 and 194 in her first five games but then went into top speed to bring home 278, 225 and 237 to cap off a superb finish.

"I knew I had to be very focus today if I was to finish amongst the top 16 to make the cut for the ABF Tour Thailand leg especially in such a strong field," said the 19 year-old child pyshcology student of Koleg Damansara Utama.

"I used a ball that was suitable to the very oiling condition in the first half of the block but had to switch to a different in the second half as the

lanes got much dryer. I kept reminding myself not to make too much mistake and that if I can continue to stay focus, the high games will come.

Although two Chinese Taipei spinners, Huang Chiung Yao and Chien Hsiu Len kept their piling their pressure on Cheah all the way, they could not keep up with the Malaysian's pace and eventually settled for second and third with 1673 and 1644 respectively.

Choy Poh Lai also did well to stay with the leaders to finish fifth with 1605, 26 pins behind early pace-setter, Alice Tay of Singapore in fourth position with 1631. Also in the hunt was four-time National champion, Shalin Zulkifli taking up seventh position with 1584 behind Filipina, Cecilia Yap in sixth with 1585.

Azidi Ameran, who qualified second, ended the first block in pole position with another scintillating performance. The 2003 Malaysian Open champion showed the field of 40 strong top-class bowlers a clean pair of heels when he built up a comfortable lead towards the halfway mark.

"I was bowling great until I realised that there were cracks in the finger holes of both the two bowling balls that I was using and struggled towards the end," said Azidi on a disappointing note. I'm hoping that I can patch up these cracks in time for tomorrow's second block.

The leader totalled 1767 over the 8-game block to stay ahead of UAE's Shaker Al Hassan by just 19 pins. Shaker put in a strong challenge towards the end and manage to reduce the deficit with 1748. Local hero, Yannaphon Larpapharat kept Thailand's hopes alive finishing third with 1718.

Zulmazran Zulkifli did well to take up sixth spot with 1691 behind two Thais, Surasak M. and Sithiphol K who finished fourth and fifth positions with 1712 and 1700. Aaron Kong, who was amongst the top 16 in the early stages fizzled out to 24th but the gap to 16th is only less than 50 pins.

Young Adrian Ang (31st-1544) and Syafiq Ridhwan (34th-1524) failed to make any impression and will have to bowl extremely well in the second block in order to stand a chance of making the top 16 ABF Tour Thailand leg.

The bowlers will bowl another 8 games in the second block and the top 6 in bothe the divisions will make the cut for the stepladder finals. Detailed scores of Women's 1st Block and Men's 1st Block are available here.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

12th May, Bangkok: Malaysian youths dominated the Youth Open Masters finals of the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Championship when Eric Ang Soon Wei, Kelvin Tan Ing Ghee and Sharon Koh Suet Len took the top three positions.

Ang set a blistering pace from the word "Go" in this morning's 10-game Youth Open Masters finals but had to be contented with second after giving the early leader, Sharon Koh a 90-pin handicap. Yet, Ang soon caught up with Koh from game 4 onwards to take over the lead.

Ang continued his relentless charge until a poor game of 138 in the seventh, gave the lead back to Koh. Thereafter, both the Malaysian National youth members were in a ding-dong battle and drawing away from the rest of the field.

Eventually, two low games from Koh allowed Ang to pull away while two high games of 247 and 237 in the ninth and tenth game saw the third Malaysian, Kelvin Tan Ing Ghee snatching second position from Koh. Ang claimed the title with 2080, 55 pins ahead of Kelvin on 2025 and Sharon Koh settling for third with 1998.

"When I missed three pin 10s and had two splits in game 7 and ended up with 138, I thought it would be hard to make up the deficit," said the 18 year-old engineering student at KDU Penang. "But I told myself to put more focus and concentration into my game and not to give up."

"I guessed I'm lucky as I was able to finished the finals with three good 200-plus games while Sharon didn't have high games. Ang, who also qualified for the Men's Open division will be hoping to do well and make the cut for the ABF Tour Thailand leg by finishing in the top 16.

Malaysia's other youths in the finals gave a good account for themselves. Thirteen year-old Sin Li Jane took sixth position with 1915 followed by Muhd Nur Aiman in eighth with 1903. Others were Alex Choo (9th-1899), Nur Syakirah Yeoh (11th-1824), Wan Muhd Fauzwan (15th-1757).

In the Youth Graded division, Jinajoti siblings gave Thailand a 1-2 finish when Pattaranat Jinajoti captured her first-ever international title with 1907. The 15 year-old student of Rajinggbon in Bangkok, pipped her younger brother, Apinat by just 6 pins.

Tunku Haifaa of Malaysia, who was leading most of the way, fizzled out to end up third with 1869. Other Malaysian youths, Mohd Rifdi (1669) and Muhd Hafizzudin (1556) finished seventh and tenth respectively.

Detailed scores of Youth O Finals and Youth A Finals are available here.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

11th May, Bangkok: There is a keen tussle for a place in the finals as the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Championship qualifying rounds enters its final day at BSC Bowl RCA Plaza.

With 42 lanes, the center is jam-packed with bowlers not only scrambling for squads to qualify for the finals but also sees the organisers putting four bowlers to a pair of lanes causing massive delays of up to 3 hours. By the time the last squad scheduled at 2.00am later, it would probably start at 4.30am and ends at 7.00am.

Shalin, who was knocked out of the World Tenpin Masters two days ago in Doncaster, England arrived last night and played the doubles and trios before taking on her qualifying rounds this morning. She had lines of 204, 255, 236 and 192.

Singapore's Jennifer Tan improved on her 831 with 864 to secure fourth spot with lines of 245, 193, 205 and 221 ahead of early pace-setters, Wang Yu Ling of Chinese Taipei and Alice Tay of Singapore with 857 and 856 respectively.

Leading the Men's Open leaderboard is Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang with 1017 followed by Malaysia's Azidi Ameran, who improved from his overnight 923 score to 1004. The 2003 Malaysian Open champion posted impressive lines of 254, 278, 259 and 213 to become the second male to surpass the 1000-mark in the championship.

ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Andrew Frawley dropped one rung to third on a score of 968 posted two days ago followed by Singapore's national rookie, Carl De Vries in fourth with 964 and Korea's Choi Jung Hoon making the top five with 948.

Missing from the line up at press time were this year's Malaysian International Open Masters champions, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong and 15 year-old, Siti Safiyah of Malaysia. Also struggling to find their usual form were Joonee Gatchalian, Liza Del Rosario, Liza Clutario and Irene Benitez of the Philippines.

Detailed scores of Women's O Qualifying and Men's O Qualifying are available here.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

11th May, Bangkok: Malaysian youths put up an impressive performance by occupying six places in the Youth Open Masters qualifying table of the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Championship at BSC Bowl, RCA Plaza.

Headed by National youth and 2004 SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MSSM Junior Circuit GP Finals champion, Muhd Nur Aiman taking up seventh position in the qualifying table with 854. Asian Schools Team Gold medalist and 13 year-old Sin Li Jane did well in her first international open tournament to post 846 for eighth place.

Last year's Milo International Junior All Stars runner-up and national youth, Eric Ang bowling under the Persatuan Tenpin Bowling Pualu Pinang, occupied ninth with 829, ahead of Asian Schools Team Gold medalist, Nur Syakirah Yeoh in 11th with 819.

The quartet iss also joined by Asian Schools two-gold medalist, Sharon Koh Suet Lan and National youth, Fahmi Bahri in 16th and 18th with 809 and 803 respectively. The girls are competing in the same category with a 9-pin handicap and will certainly prove handy in the Masters finals on Thursday, 12th May over 10 games.

Other Malaysian youths yet to make the cut are Nor Atteya Zainal Abidin, Aressa Malenie, Wan Muhd Fauzwan Wan Muhd Yusof, Syahereza Fajrin and Mohd Haikal Downs.

Qualifying end this evening during which time, the top 18 would contest the finals tomorrow morning at 8.30am. A seperate press report will be sent out later for the senior squad.

Detailed scores of Youth O Qualifying is available here.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

10th May, Bangkok: Malaysian bowlers were making good headway in the on-going 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Championship with Azidi Ameran leading the charge.

Azidi, 32, bowling in his third attempt, knocked down 247, 226, 269 and 222 for a total of 923 to move to fourth in the overseas pool, just 10 pins ahead of team-mate, Adrian Ang, who qualified yesterday with 913. Zulmazran Zulkilfi also did well to make the cut with a score of 903 to take up eighth.

"When I realised that the pair of lanes that I was bowling on had better carry, I began to have more confidence and put in more focus so that I can continuously make good shots," said Azidi after his third attempt."

"I also had to remind myself to be patient and just wait for the moment when I can string together more strikes, added Azidi. Last year's Milo International Junior All Stars champion, Aaron Kong joined Azidi, Adrian and Zulmazran with 899 for ninth position. However, this score may not be enough for the finals with two more days of qualifying left.

Meanwhile, Inodnesia's top bowler and winner of the 2004 ABF Tour Malaysia leg, Ryan Lalisang surpassed the 1000-mark with a scorching 1017 to take over the overall lead relegating overnight leader, Andrew Frawley of Australia into second spot with 968.

World Youth Masters Gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand, who topped the local pool, settled for third spot with 930 followed by ABF Tour Indonesia leg champion, Shaker Al Hassan of UAE in fourth with 924.

While the men were quaickly settling down with their game, the Malaysian women were still finding their form going into the second last day of qualifying. Zandra Aziela was the best finisher currently sixth in the overseas pool with 827 followed by Esther Cheah in seventh with 825.

Newly-crowned Sinai Open champion, Wendy Chai finished fifth in the mixed pool with 796, just 9 pins behind team-mate, Choy Poh Lai in fourth with 805. Sarah Yap and Shalin Zulkifli has yet to mae any impression.

"Our bowlers need to put in more focus in their game especially in a highly competitive field," said the nationa chief coach, Chris Batson. "And in order to be able to make the finals, they need 110-percent.

Chinese Taipei's Wang Yu Ling took over the lead with 857, just one pin ahead of overnight leader, Alice Tay of Singapore in second with 856 in the overseas pool. Jiraphon S maintained her lead overall with 873.

In the youth category, only Muhd Nur Aiman, Sharon Koh and Fahmi Bahri has so far made the cut for the top 18 Youth Masters finals in seventh, 14th and 16th with 854, 809 and 803 respectively. Khairul Hafidz, Wan Muhd Fauzwan, Nor Atteya, Sin Li Jane and Aressa Malenie have yet to qualify.

Detailed scores of Men's O Qualifying and Women's O Qualifying are available here.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

9th May, Bangkok: Adrian Ang, 15 of Malaysia, set a blistering pace in his first qualifyig attempt of the 31st Thaiand International Open Bowling Championship Monday morning at BSC Bowl, RCA Plaza.

Ang, the Comonwealth Youth Games Gold medalist immediately found the lanes to his liking to post lines of 236, 249, 218 and 210 to grab second spot in the overseas pool on a total of 913. Ang, who finished fifth last year, is hoping to to do better this time round especially after a lean spell.

ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Andrew Frawley was equally awesome in the afternoon when he totalled 968 with lines of 205, 279, 237 and 247 for the highest 4-game series so far in the competition. Frawley nows lead the overall men's qualifying table followed by top local pool qualifer, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand in second with 930.

Overnight overseas pool leader, Shaker Al Hassan settled for third overall with 924 ahead of Thailand's Kritchawat Jampakao in fourth

place with Adrian comfortably in fifth. While Adrian is safely in the finals, other Malaysian, Aarong Kong is second in the mixed pool with 856 with the the rest yet to make any headway at this early stage.

The women fared much better with Zandra Aziela taking up fourth in the overseas pool with 827 ahead of Esther Cheah in seventh with 813 after just one attempt each this morning. Word Ranking Masters runner-up, Wendy Chai finished eighth with just 796.

Sarah Yap finished fifth in the mixed pool with 785 with Siti Safiyah yet to make the finals. SHalin Zulkifli, who ended her World Tenpin Masters campaign with an early exit, arrived one day ahead of her original schedule and will be completing her events tonight before her masters qualifying Tuesday.

Jiraphon S continued to top the women's division with 873 while Singapore's Alice Tay topped the overseas pool with 856. Chinese Taipei's season campaigner, Huang Chiung Yao was third with 855.

Detailed scores of Men's O Qualifying and Women's O Qualifying are available here.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC..

8th May, Bangkok: 2004 World Youth Masters Gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand shot to the top of the 31st Thailand International Open qualifying leaderboard underway at BSC Bowl, RCA.

Yannaphon, 22, took pole position after posting 930 in his four-game qualifying round to set the tone for the 31st meeting of the Thailand International Open at BSC Bowl, RCA. Prolific spinner and winner of many international titles, Kritchawat Jampako finished trailed Yannaphon by 8 pins for second.

Kritchawat, who was working in the Middle East for several years, has returned to Thailand and taken up his rightful spot in the Thai National Team. Thid spot in the local table went to Chinnapong C with a score of 911.

Asian Championship Gold medalist, Shaker Al Hassan of UAE, grabbed top place in the overseas pool when he recorded an impressive 924. The ABF Tour Indonesia leg led a large team of Emirates bowlers for the first time to the Thailand and to compete in this part of Asia.

Korea's Kim Ko Woon finished second with 894, just 3 pins ahead of Qatar's Saeed Al Hajri on 891. Newly-crowned Sinai International Open champion, Khalifa Khalid was fourth with 866 followed by Ahmad Al Marri of UAE in fifth with 845.

A large contingent of Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore arrive Bangkok Saturday and Sunday afternoon and will be taking onto the lanes which will see the scores soar as competition becomes intense.

While the men will fight it out for the top 13 local, top 13 overseas and top 12 mixed pool, defending champion, Ahmed Shaheen will keep an eyeful on his opponents.

Meanwhile, Asian Championship God medalist, Alice Tay of Singapore set the pace in the women's division to post 856 for top spot. Ex-international, Lai Kin Ngoh finished second with 847 while 2003 Asian Schools two Gold medalist and Indonesian-born, Sharon Limansantoso of the Philippines, took third position with 774.

On the local front, the relatively unknown, Jiraporn Sae-Ngan stole the limelight occupying pole position with 873 with Gunnalada Aree in second with 839. World Youth Gold medalist, Angkana Netrviseth claimed third spot with 823.

The top 8 local, top 8 overseas and top 7 mixed pool will be keenly contest over the next few remaining days of qualifying which will end on Wednesday, 11th May. The finals will be played over two blocks of 8 game each on 12th and 13th May, 2005.

Detailed scores: Men's O Qualifying, Women's O Qualifying and Youth O Qualifying.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.