26th January, P.Jaya: Triple Interstate gold medalist, Sharon Koh Suet Len regained the National women title after ousting five-time champion, Shalin Zulkifli in the grand finals of 32nd Malaysian National Championship as Fahmi Bahri bagged the men's crown.

In a closely fought finals between third-seed, Sharon Koh of Kuala Lumpur and second-seed, Shalin Zulkifli, the third-seed took the first match, 205-184 as Shalin could not repeat the form she displayed earlier in the semifinals.

Sharon opened accounts with a turkey in the second game to lead the 29-year-old Shalin, who had every ball delivered into the pocket but just could not knock down all the pins in an attempt to close the gap.

The southpaw struck out in the final two frames to assured herself the victory, 215-193 in two straight games and regained the national title she won in 2005. Sharon, who ended the 10-games finals earlier in third, knocked out Kedah's Tengku Emanina Laily, 201-141, 201-185 to reach the semifinals.

The champion went on to oust fifth-seed, Nur Syakira Yeoh of Johor, 247-215, 204-203 before defeating Shalin in the finals. Shalin, who settled for the runner-up spot progressed into the finals after beating Kuala Lumpur's Nor Hanizah Abu Bakar, 255-189, 202-182 in the other semi.

"Playing against one of the best bowlers in the world was no easy task," said the relieved Sharon after the finals. "I had to make sure that I put in 110% concentration and I'm glad to come away with the title for the second time.

Top-seed, Siti Saifyah was eliminated 2-1 by eighth-seed, Nor Hanizah in the quaterfinals whilst Shalin edged seventh-seed, Sin Li Jane of Perak 2-1 whilst Nur Syakira knocked out fourth-seed, Zandra Aziela of Selangor, 2-1 in the last quaterfinal match.

Syakirah Yeoh finished third overall as the higher-ranked lossing semifinalist with Nor Hanizah improved from eighth to fourth overall. Top-seed, Siti Saifyah took fifth spot, Zandra sixth, Tengku Emanina seventh and Sin Li Jane eighth.

In the men's division, it was a fairy-tale come true for 19-year-old, Fahmi Bahri from Johor. The Interstate All Events silver medalist only had one attempt during the qualifying rounds to make the finals.

Fahmi also had one successful attempt in the Youth Boy's Open qualifying round, which he won the title in the 10-game finals played in the morning. He immediately took on the lanes for another 10-games in the Open Masters to finish third.

The SSBP student put up one of his career-bast performance to defeat seventh-seed and challenger, Mustafa Yassin in the finals, 223-184 and 246-186 to win his first senior title and the national crown.

The Johor youngster knocked out ex-national, Azidi Ameran, 233-204 and 202-179 en-route to the finals. Fahmi reached the semi after taking out national Elite squad member, Adrian Ang, 258-205 and 237-182 in the quarterfinals.

Mustafa Yassin of Selangor despatched second-seed, Daniel Lim, 189-174 and 200-196 in the quarterfinals before knocking out fifth-seed, Zaid Izlan of Selangor, 233-224 and 209-190 in the semi for a match with Fahmi in the finals.

"I've bowled a total of 27 games since this morning and to have the energy to go all the way is really amazing," exclaimed the excited Fahmi. "It is really a dream come true to win the national title.

Zaid Izlan finished third overall as the higher-ranked loosing semifinalist with Azidi Ameran improving from eighth to fourth. Top-seed Zulmazran Zulkifli took fifth spot, Daniel Lim sixth, Alex Liew seventh and Adrian Ang eighth.

The top 8 after the 10-games finals played earlier, made the best of 3 games elimination knockout stage where the top-seed met the eighth seed, second-seed against seventh-seed, third-seed against sixth-seed and fourth against fifth-seed.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

26th January, P.Jaya: National youths, Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore and Fahmi Bahri were crowned National youth champions of the 32nd Malaysian National Championship as 12-year-old sensation, Mohd Syafiq Sajeli again triumphed in the Boy's Graded division.

National youth, Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore of Sarawak finally nailed the National youth girls champion title in her second attempt. Jacqueline, who finish as second runner-up last year, went one up to bag the coveted crown with a total of 2020.

Interstate Doubles gold medalist, Nazrinnah Mohd Kamil of Perak, set the early pace with 213 opener from Singles gold medalist, Nor Amilia Mohd Noor of Selangor. Nazrinnah continue to lead for the next three games until a poor 144 in her fifth game saw Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore of Sarawak taking over the lead.

The 16-year-old Jacqueline, who also bag last year's Malaysian Open Youth title, picked up her pace to stretch her lead to as much as 107 after the seventh game. Despite a lowly 164 in the eighth game, the Sarawakian ended the 10-game finals with 2020 to seal the victory.

Nor Amilia edged Nazrinnah to finish second with 1947 as the Perak youngster fizzled off with 167 and 168 in her last two games to settle for third spot with 1913. Sarawak's Dayang Khairuniza and Ili Syazana of Selangor rounded up the top 5.

The boy's division was a more hotly fought out contest as the lead changed hands seven times in the 10-game finals. Zaiem Azemi open accounts with a cracking 277 to lead the field of 18 youths but soon dropped off quickly.

Interstate Men's All Events silver medalist, Fahmi Bahri of Johor, led for two games before Kedah's Tengku Afnan Tg. Zahri taking over pole afrom the sixth to the eight games. But the national youth from Johor regain the lead with a superb 277 in the ninth game.

Fahmi ended the finals with 2140 to claim the National youth crown followed by Tengku Afnan settling for second spot with 2093. Selangor's Tengku Muhd Yasser finished third with 2084.

Hot favourite and 12-year-old sensation, Mohd Syafiq Sajeli of Sarawak, again outshone his more senior opponents to claim his third title of the competition. The youngster, who bagged two gold and a silver medal in the Interstate Championship held two days ago, led from start to finish to earn the Boy's Graded Masters crown.

Muhd Faris of Johor, who trailed the champion from start to finish, settled for second with 2056 while Kuala Lumpur's Radin Rafee finished third with 2007.

2007 Junior Circuit GP Finals Girl's Graded champion, Hee Kar Yen of Pyramid Youth team, had an easy victory in the Girl's Graded Masters finals with a total of 1963, 147 pins ahead of her nearest rival. Siti Nur Fairuz of Selangor, who led briefly, clinch second spot with 1816.

Third position went to Nurafidza Amran of Sarawak who amassed a total of 1811 whilst Nursyamimi of Perak and Diyana Zuhaili of Penang rounded up the top 5.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

25th January, P.Jaya: Shah Alam's Heric Chong had to fend off three left-handed challengers to win the Men's Graded Masters title of the 32nd Malaysian National Championship as ex-national, Nor Atteya Bte Zainal Abidin easily won the Women's crown.

Selangor's Firuz Abdul Patah set a cracking pace with a 232 opening game but could not sustain the pace as Hazfeiz Bakri surged into the lead with after a 3-game series of 685 ahead of Shah Alam's Heric Chong in close company, 2 pins adrift.

Despite a 181 in Chong's fourth game, the Malaysian Airlines flight crew was able to take the lead by 17 pins after a recovering 227 and 238 in the fifth and sixth games with three left-handers, Hafeiz Bakri, Shazally and Alex Khoo Ren Chung hot on his heels.

Another 3-game series of 697 allowed Chong to stretch his lead to 82 pins by the ninth game while the three lefties fought it out for the remaining runner-up spots. Chong took a well deserved victory easing off with only a 556 final 3-game series for a total of 2567.

Hafeiz Bakri finished stronger than the other two southpaw to take second spot with 2507, 60 pins adrift the champion whilst Shazally and Alex Khoo finished third and fourth with 2485 and 2477.

In the women's division, ex-national and Interstate Women's Team bronze medalist, Nor Atteya Bte Zainal Abidin of Perak, romped home a comfortable victory with 2443. Nor Atteya's Perak teammate, Syaidatul Afifah Bte Ahamd Badrul fought on galantly to clinch second spot with 2297.

Penang's Diyana Zuhaili claimed third spot with 2225 ahead of Interstate Girl's Team gold medalist, Dina Nurnadia of Selangor and Pyramid Youth's Yap Wi Yin, who tied for fourth position with 2165.

Heric Chong won RM5,000 for his effort as the Hafeiz and Shazally took home RM2,000 and RM800 respectively. Nor Atteya won RM2,000 with Syaidatul and Diyana Zuhaili taking home RM1,000 and RM600.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

24th January, P.Jaya: Interstate Doubles gold medalist, Sin Li Jane of Perak turned in a superb scoreline to grab second spot in the Women's Open Masters qualifying table of the 32nd Malaysian National Championship as Fahmi Bahri moved into second in the men's division.

Still only 15, Sin Li Jane, who has been in the national backup squad since 2005, impressed by winning the Women's Doubles gold medal with national youth, Nazrinnah Mohd Kamil two days ago in the Interstate Championship.

Li Jane, who also bagged the Team bronze medal yesterday, posted a superb 204, 216, 212 and 290 for a total of 922 to move into second spot of the Women's Open Masters qualifying table, just 19 pins behind leader, Zatil Iman.

"The lane conditions suits me right now during the interstate and my qualifying round and I'm hoping that my form will carry me for a good performance during the finals," said the 15-year-old Bukit Jalil Sports School student.

Four-time national champion and second runner-up in the recent Qatar International Open, Shalin Zulkifli, who posted 880 before she left for Doha to take up third in the table, will surely improve her scoreline before qualifying ends tomorrow.

National youth and Interstate All Events silver medalist, Fahmi Bahri also impressed with 968 to move into second spot behind leader and 2003 National Champion, Jonathan Lim whose 983 put the national backup squad member firmly in pole position.

Two-time national champion, Daniel Lim dropped to third with 966 whilst Zulmazran Zulkifli and Alex Liew improved since returning from competing in the Qatar Open to take up fourth and fifth spots with 952 and 938 respectively.

Triple Interstate gold medalist, Sharon Koh and ex-national, Mustafa Yassin automatically qualified for the finals by virtue of winning the Interstate women's and men's All Events gold medal which ended on Wednesday.

The Open Masters finalists will play 10 games on Saturday morning in which the top 8 will qualify for the best of 3 games elimination knockout stage between the top-ranked against the lowest ranked finisher, the second ranked against the second lowest ranked finisher and so on.

The winners will proceed to the semifinals and finally the finals to determine this year's national champion.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

22nd January, P.Jaya: National bowler, Jonathan Lim is eyeing to regain the national title he won in 2003 as the Sarawakian surged into pole position of the Men's Open Masters qualifying table of the 32nd Malaysian National Championship on Tuesday afternoon.

A member of the 2003 World Tenpin Team Cup winning team, Jonathan Lim sprung a surprise victory when he triumphed in the 2003 National Championship to claim the coveted crown. Since winning the 2005 Pahang International Open, Lim was given several opportunities in other international assignments but failed to shine.

The 23-year-old will be hoping to regain the form he displayed when he surged into the lead of the Men's Open Masters qualifying table with a scintillating 983 over the 4-game qualifying round on Tuesday afternoon.

Two-time national champion, Daniel Lim led briefly when he knocked down 966 on Monday, settled for second spot 17 pins adrift. Daniel chose to skip the 7th Qatar International Open to be with his wife after the couple welcomed their second child 3 weeks ago.

Newly-crowned Selangor Super Classic champion, Alex Liew, who qualified on Day 1 of the championship, was competing in the Qatar Open and will be back tomorrow. The top money earner last year, the national title has eluded the 32-year-old and will be gunning for the coveted crown.

There was no changes in the women's open qualifying table with SEA Games triple gold medalist, Zatil Iman leading the pack with 941. Current Interstate Singles Gold medalist, Sharon Koh took second spot with a superb 914 with Qatar Open second runner-up, Shalin Zulkifli third with 880.

Interstate Singles silver medalist, Syakirah Yeoh and Doubles silver medalist, Siti Safiyah Amirah rounded up the top 5 in fourth and fifth

spots on 867 and 864 respectively. Qualifying continues through to January 25th and the Masters finals will be stage on Saturday, January 26th.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

20th January, P.Jaya: Perak and Selangor youths shared glory when Faiz Miza Yop Zain captured the Peter Yap's Memorial Cup Boy's crown and Fatin Azmira Bte Khairul Faizi and Selva Nivashini shared the Girl's title.

Faiz Miza of SMK Gunung Rapat in Ipoh, amassed a total of 805 with lines of 221, 183, 187 and 214, 47 pins ahead of his nearest rival to win his second title since taking bowling at a tender age of 10. Trained by Sukan Teras Perak chief coach, Khairul Faizi, the 13-year-old youngster also won GP Piala Remaja in 2006.

The champion was also a Boy's Under-16 finalist in last year's SportExcel-NSC-Milo-MTBC GP Finals but managing only 15th in Round 1. Faiz finished third in the Johor leg and made 5 quarterfinals in the whole of last year.

Muhd Aizudeen and Mohd Azroy, both of Selangor, settled for second and third position with totals of 758 and 725 while Amir Bin Imran and Muhd Syafiq rounded up the top 5 with 721 and 683 respectively.

In the girl's division, Perak's Fatin Azmira Bte Khairul Faizi and Selangor's Selva Nivashini tied first spot with identical total of 685. Fatin, who was leading by 13 pins before the fourth and final game, only managed 159 as Selva posted 172 for the tie.

Fatin had lines of 170, 178, 178 and 159 while Selva knocked down 172, 151, 190 and 172. Selva started bowling three years ago under Mr Guna of Daerah Petaling Jaya Bowling Association before joining Pyramid Youth team.

Since then she has been training under Lukman Jasril of STBA 04 and has shown good progress. Fatin and younger sister of regular Junor Circuit winner, Muhd Fazrin, is trained by Perak Sukan Teras chief coach, Khairul Faizi. MTBC patron and guest of honour, Tan Sri Dr. Elyas Omar and Puan Sri Datin Haja Normalla were on hand to present trophies and Milo hampers to the Boy's and Girl's winners.

Photos by Roliah Harun, MTBC.

20th January, P.Jaya: A total of fifteen teams from 15 member states paraded in the colorful opening ceremony of the 32nd Malaysian National and 21st Interstate Bowling Championships at Pyramid Mega Lanes on Sunday evening.

The 32nd Malaysian National and 21st Interstate Bowling Championships was declared opened by Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress' patron and guest of honour, Tan Sri Dr Elyas Omar in a packed house at Pyramid Mega Lanes.

Teams from 15 member states namely Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Terengganu paraded in front of the guest of honour and distinguished guests.

"The National and Interstate Championships is one of the most important championship in our calender where all bowlers will be vying for glory for their states," said Dato' Dr P.S. Nathan in his opening address.

"We have to thank all the coaches and parents who have supported their children to groom them into top-class bowlers for the future," added the President of MTBC.

"Tenpin Bowling is the most successful sport of our country for which I'm proud to be associated with since being appointed patron," said the guest of honour and Sports Commissioner, Tan Sri Dr Elyas Omar during his inspiring speech at the opening.

"Year after year, bowling has led the country's biggest successes in international compatition. Under the leadership of Dato' Dr Nathan, the sport was the one sport with the biggest medal haul in the recent Bangkok SEA Games bringing home 13 medals out of 11 events contested.

"They have also retained the overall champions in the games with 4 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals. Last year, the women retained the team champion in the Women's World Championship in Mexico in addition to winning a total of 27 international titles," added the delighted Tan Sri Dr. Elyas.

The guest of honour also presented participation medals to the 48 Pter Yap's Memorial Cup under-14 finalists during the opening. Dato' Dr

Nathan also presented a token of appreciation to the guest of honour after he rolled a bowling ball to officially declare the championships open.

The 21st Interstate Championship will kickoff on Monday with the Singles, Doubles on Tuesday and the final Team of 4 event on Wednesday. The All Events gold medalist in each of the four divisions will automatically qualfy for the Masters finals which will be staged on Saturday, 26th January.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

20th January, P.Jaya: National Elite kegler, Sharon Koh Suet Len will be vying to recapture the national title she won in 2006 after scorching the lanes at Pyramid Mega Lanes this afternoon during her qualifying rounds of the 32nd Malaysian National and 21st Interstate Championships.

Sharon Koh, who won a SEA Games gold medal in the team event in Bangkok last month, improved her score from a lowly 817 to 914 at the 3.00pm squad with lines of 213, 270, 189 and 242 to surge into second spot of the Women's Open Masters qualifying table.

The 20-year-old Bukit Jalil pre-U student, who was crowned the national champion in 2006 after defeating her more experience teammates, became the most improved bowler to have come up from the national youth ranks. Sharon came into her own after a superb performance in the 2006 World Youth Championship in Germany when she surprised a strong world-class field to bag the Masters gold medal.

She was then ropped into the Elite squad and she proved her worth when she won the Team gold medal in the Women's World Champion

-ship in Mexico and rounded off a great year with a team gold medal in the Doha Asian Games.

Leading the table is SEA Games triple gold medalist, Zatil Iman who posted 941 on the first day of the championship before she left for Doha to compete in the 7th Qatar International Open. Shalin Zulkifli, who is also in Doha, finished third with 880.

In the men's division, newly-crowned Selangor Super Classic champion, Alex Liew topped the table with 938, also posted before he left for Doha. 2007 PBAP Classic champion, Syafiq Ridhwan impressed with 922 to take up second spot.

National youth, Rodson Tong, who scored a perfect game in last month's Penang Pesta International, did well to take up third spot with 909 while Aaron Kong and Mohd Noer Said, who are in Doha, rounded up the top 5 with 906 and 901 respectively.

The official opening ceremony will take place this evening at 8.00pm, where teams from the 15 member states will parade their participants in this year's Interstate Championship. The three day championship will commence with the Singles tomorrow, Doubles on Tuesday and team of 4 on Wednesday.

Immediately after the opening, the Peter Yap's Memorial Cup finals will follow in which the top 48 youths under the age of 14 will play 4 games. Qualifying for the national championship will end on Friday 25th and the finals on Saturday 26th.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.