13th April, Bangkok: It was a near miss for Malaysian seniors at the 34th MWA Thailand International Open as up and coming backup star, Christyn Chew and in-form Adrian Ang both missed the stepladder finals in seventh.

After a fine run in the Ladies' Open first block finals yesterday in which Zandra Aziela, Christyn Chew, Sin Li Jane and Shalin Zulkifli still had a shot at the title finishing third, fifth, eighth and 11th respectively.

Christyn had a great start the opening game of the second block of 8 games today and was second to pace-setter, Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong. At the halfway mark, Christyn's pace dropped off a little allowing teammate and Malaysian Open second runnerup, Sin Li Jane to move into second spot.

Two back-to-back low game from Jane saw the 16-year-old dropping off while Christyn recover slightly to stay in the top 6 contention for a spot in the stepladder finals. Despite a 201 in her final game, three Chinese spinners bowled strong final game to pip Christyn for the crucial cut leaving the Malaysian youngster finishing a disappointing seventh.

Jane could not finish off strong to make the cut ending up in eighth while Shalin Zulkifli made a late charge but finished ninth. Zandra Aziela, who was third last night took tenth position.

Topseed, Chan Shuk Han went on to claimed her second title beating defending champion, Chen Hsiu Lan of Chinese Taipei, 207-206 in the deciding match. Chen had forced Chan into the sudden-death playoffs after taking the first match, 209-182.

China's Yang Suling and teammate, Zhang Yu Hong both lost to Chen, 181-194-199 to Chen in the second stepladder match. Yang settled for third while Zhang, who won the first match dispatching another teammate, Wu Suqin and fifth-seed, Kim Eun Jung, 222-213-192 in the first match.

Malaysian was again unlucky to have in-form, Adrian Ang missing the cut in seventh in the second block. Ang missed out by just 8 pins when two Taiwanese and a Chinese bowled strongly in their final game to edge out the Malaysian.

Defending champion, Daniel Lim had a superb run in the first half of the second block but ran out of steam to finish 10th. Zulmazran Zulkifli took 13th spot, Aaron Kong 18th, Alex Liew 22nd, Kelvin Keong 28th and Zaid Izlan 40th.

Topseed, Somjed Kusonpithak of Thailand lost to another Taiwanese and fifth-seed, Cheng Hsing-Chao, over two games. Cheng won the first game 215-196 and went on to edge the Thai, 207-184 to win his first international open title.

The champion had also earlier ousted fourth-seed, Hsiao Chun-Ho and sixth-seed, Yang Nien-Hua, 241-182-235 in the all-Taiwanese first stepladder match. Cheng also beat second-seed, Kim Ko Woon of Korea and China's Pan Yunhong, 201-192-168 in the second match to earn a spot in the title match.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

12th April, Bangkok: Malaysians competing in the 34th MWA Thailand International Open are still in the hunt for the title as Zandra Aziela took third spot in the Ladies' Open first block Masters finals while Adrian Ang was the best finisher in the Men's division in seventh.

Malaysia's top title contender, Shalin Zulkifli set a blistering pace in the opening game of the 8-game first block finals with 242 ahead of reigning ABF Tour TOC champion, Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong in second.

But the lead was short-lived as SEA Games Masters gold medalist, Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia grabbed the lead after the secnd game. The race for top spot was more hotly contested as the lead changed hands for the next six games.

At the halfway mark, Malaysian Open runnerup, Zandra Aziela stormed into the lead but again lost it to teammate, Christyn Chew after the sixth game. China's Zhang Yu Hong was leading before the eighth and final game just 11 pins ahead of Chan Shuk Han.

A strong 240 in the final game from Chan saw her ending the first block in pole position with 1643. Current Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung of Korea stormed home to take second spot with 1618 with Zandra settling for third with 1595.

Christyn Chew ended up in fifth with 1583 while Shalin ended on a poor 158 to drop to 11th behind her teammate, Sin Li Jane in eighth with 1570.

In the Men's Open division, last year's ABF Tour Thailand champion, Somjed Kusonpithak topped the field of 40 finalist with 1765. Fellow-countrymen, Annop Arromsaranon gave Thailand a 1-2 finish when he took second spot with 1736.

Chinese Taipei's Hsiao Chun-Hon settled for third position with 1728 with two-time Malaysian national champion, Adrian Ang finishing as Malaysia's best male in seventh with 1677.

Aaron Kong took eighth spot with 1674 while newly-crowned Malaysian Open champion, Zulmazran Zukilfi finishing 14th. Defending champion, Daniel Lim, who was at one stage in the top 10, dropped to 21st while Kelvin Keong and Alex Liew could only manage 28th and 33rd. Zaid Izlan finished a dismal 40th.

Both the divisions will bowl another 8 games in the second block with pinfalls carried forward. The top 6 at the end of the second blck will advance to the stepladder finals. The top 16 Asian men and women will also make the cut for Monday's ABF Tour Thailand leg.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

12th April, Bangkok: Youngster Tengku Emanina Laily Tengku Zahri overcame a jittery start to beat a host of top South Korean boys to win her second international youth title in the 34th MWA Thailand International Open on Saturday afternoon.

The win proved that her first international youth Masters title in the Malaysian Open last month was not a fluke. The national youth bowler defeated South Korean Uh Sung-moon by just three pins with her score of 2155 pins. She had lines of 167, 194, 191, 207, 226, 198, 203, 197, 257 and 225 for a well deserved victory.

South Korean back-up bowler Seo Seung-won was third with 2148 pins. The girls, however, were given a handicap of 90 pins in the 10-game finals. Still, it was an achievement for Emanina, who can be proud of her consistency.

With two titles in a month, the 18-year-old Emanina has now put herself in the driving seat to win honours in her third Malaysian Games (Sukma) outing in Terengganu from May 31 to June 9.

"I won my first international youth title in Malaysia. And today, I surprised myself with this title in Thailand. It has been a great year for me so far," said Emanina after the triumph. "Here, I had to bowl alongside the boys. I had also bowled with the boys during a youth tournament in Taiwan but I achieved poor results," she said.

Syimir Abdul Razak missed the podium in fourth with 2062 while Dayang Khairuniza and top qualifier, Rodson Tong could only manage ninth and 14th positions respectively.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

11th April, Bangkok: Aaron Kong of Malaysia made his mark to become the first bowler to achieve the magical 300 perfect game of the 34th MWA Thailand International Open at S.F. Strike Bowl and secured a spot in the Men's Open Masters finals on Thursday evening.

Inspired by a motivational session conducted by National chief coach, Holloway Cheah last night, Aaron Kong tuned his rhythm in sync to start off on 209, 216 and stylishly fired all cylinders to clinically reeled strike after strike for the holistic 300 game.

The lanky Malaysian ended on a high series of 725, resulting on a combined aggregate of 1960 and secured his place in the Men's Open Masters overseas qualifying pool in 11th position. Teammate, Adrian Ang, who improved with 2037 to inch closer to overall leader, Andrew Frawley of Australia.

Flying in from nowhere was Zaid Izlan, whose series of 2003 earned him fifth spot while newly-crowned Malaysian Open champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli finished tenth in the Mixed pool with 1900 series.

eanwhile Malaysia's strongest title contender, Shalin Zulkifli took over the lead the in the Ladies' division improving her score line to 1939 series, pushing China's Wu Suqin and Yang Suling into second and third placing.

Zandra Aziela also made headway to top the Mixed pool with 1749 series, followed by Sin Li Jane in third on 1739, Choy Poh Lai fourth on 1713 and Christyn Chew sixth on 1668. There was no changes in the local pool with Gunnalada Aree of Thailand leading with 1872.

In the Youth Open division, burly Rodson Tong rejuvenated his performance with 1950 series and claimed the top spot, followed by Syimir Abdul Razak in third place with a 1900 series today. Tengku Emanina finished sixth on 1889 while Jacqueline Sijore was placed 12th with 1858 and Dayang Khairuniza on 13th with 1845.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

10th April, Bangkok: Malaysian bowlers made good impressions after completing their three qualifying attempts in the on-going 34th MWA Thailand International Open as Adrian Ang chalked up 2029 to finish second in the Men's Open Masters qualifying table.

After the completing the new format of 3 qualifying attempts, Malaysia's red hot youngster, Adrian Ang took control of the lanes at S.F. Strike Bowl by reeling 200, 227 and 225 for a 652 series. The two-time national champion then accelerated his momentum to knock down 222, 236 and 278 for a 736 series in back-to-back squads.

Combined with last night's 641 first attempt, Adrian amassed an aggregate of 2029 to take up second spot in the overseas pool behind leader, Andrew Frawley of Australia, who totaled 2068.

Aaron Kong managed 1791 aggregate but failed to make the table so was Mohd Noer Said and Kelvin Keong with 1695 and 1687 respectively. Rangsiman Thianhirun continued to top the local pool with 1996 followed by Surasak Manuwong and Somjed Kusonpithak in second and third positions.

In the Ladies' Open division, Shalin Zulkifli led Malaysia's charge by making her presence felt with a thunderous 258, 255 and 209 for a 722 series. The bowling icon did not fair too well in her third attempt with 194, 153 and 180 for a mere 527 series.

Cushioned with a 632 series bowled last night, Shalin ended with 1881 to position herself third in the overseas pool. Malaysian Open runnerup, Zandra Aziela aggregated 1720 from 3 attempts of 604, 567 and 549 to top the mixed pool ahead of Choy Poh Lai second with 1697.

Canon Cup champion, Sin Li Jane finished fourth in the mixed pool with 1685 while Christyn Chew managed 1655 to end up seventh in the same pool. China's Yang Suling and Wu Suqin continued to dominate the overall standings with 1925 and 1898 to occupy the top 2 positions.

In the Youth division, Noor Afizal Azizan was Malaysia's best performance for the day when he completed his 9 games series on par 1800 aggregate. Noor Afizal had a 628 series, followed by a 616 series and 556 today to finish 14th position.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

9th April, Bangkok: 2005 World Championship Masters gold medalist, Yang Suling led China's domination in the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table of the 34th MWA Thailand International Open by taking the top 4 positions.

China's Yang Suling, who stunned the world with a victory in the World Championship in Alborg, Denmark three years ago, did not have a chance to prove that her win was not a one-off triumph as China did not send a team to the championship.

The Chinese knocked down 658 in her first attempt and followed it up with 650 and 617 for a 9-game total of 1925 to take the lead in the overseas pool and overall Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table. Her teammate, Wu Suqin finished second with 1898 followed by overnight leader, Chan Dongdong third with 1859.

Zhang Yu Hong completed the top 4 positions for China taking up fourth spot with 1741. Thailand's Gunnalada Aree continued to top the local pool with 1872 and third overall. Sariya Chongvarin and Kamalasn Jonbumrung took second and third spots with 1867 and 1837 respectively.

Meanwhile, globe-trotting Australian, Andrew Frawley surged into the lead of the men's open division with a better third squad of 631 to give the Aussie a total of 2068. UAE's Hussain Al-Suwaidi also improved to take up second with 2021.

Overnight leader, Fuaad Al-Mas settled for third spot with 2015. Chinese Taipei's Hsiao Chun-Ho and UAE's SHaker Al-Hassan rounded up the top 5 with 1963 and 1936 respective totals.

The top 3 positions in the lmen's open local pool remained unchanged with Rangsiman Thianhirun, Surasak Manuwong and Somjed Kusonpithak occupying first to third positions with 1996, 1985 and 1974.

Photo by Terence Yaw.

8th April, Bangkok: UAE's Fuaad Al-Mas topped the Men's Open Masters qualifying table of the 34th MWA Thailand International Open underway at S.F. Strike Bowl Ngamwongwan while local seasoned campaigner, Gunnalada Aree of Thailand led the Ladies' Open standings.

In the new format of qualifying round introduced at this year's championship which comprised of best 3 qualifying rounds of 3 games each, UAE's Fuaad Al-Mas posted consistent 675, 674 and 666 for a 9-game total of 2015 to lead the Men's Open Masters qualifying table.

PBA Denny's World Championship semifinalist and the Canon Cup 2008 runner-up, Andrew Frawley of Australia could have taken the lead if not for a poor 554 third attempt.. The Aussie had scorched the lanes with an opening 747 and a 690 in his second attempt to total 1991 to take up second spot.

UAE' Hussain Al-Suwaidi finished third with 1953 from 3 attempts of 676, 644 and 633. Meanwhile, newcomer, Rangsiman Thianhirun topped the local pool with 1996 and second overall with Surasak Manuwong second

with 1985 and last year's ABF Tour Thailand leg champion, Somjed Kusonpithak third with 1974.

Whilst the overseas participants will arrive in the next two days, seasoned campaigner, Gunnalada Aree has taken top spot in the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table with 1872. Gunnalada knocked down her best 3 attempts of 663, 605 and 604.

Sariya Chongvarin and Kamalasn Jonbumrung finished second and third positions in the table with 1867 and 1837 respectively. Only two ladies have completed at least 3 attempts in the overseas pool with the lead going to Sabeena Athica of India with 1693 and Rachell Lapig in second with 1570.

Qualifying continues through to Friday, April 11 and the Masters finals will be held over two days on April 12 and 13. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian ladies will also qualify for the ABF Tour Thailand leg which will be held on April 14.

The Malaysian team led by B.C. Cheah will reach Bangkok on Tuesday and the bowlers will commence their qualifying in the next four days.

Photo courtesy of Thai Tenpin Bowlong Association.