22nd July, Serravalle: Malaysia's national elite member, Aaron Kong was denied a maiden European title despite tieing at 477 after the two final matches in the San Marino Open 2007 against Ghislaine van der Tol of the Netherlands.

Malaysia had looked set to bring home another title following the success of Zandra Aziela, who picked up the Czech Open title a week earlier at Olomouc, Czech Republic. But as it turned out, the winning streak ended when Aaron Kong was denied his first title this year.

Aaron was on fire as he took the first match, 222-202 to go one up against 10th-seed, Ghislaine van der Tol of the Netherlands. But the Dutch fought back galantly in the second with 275 against Aaron's 255. Both were locked at 477 total pinfalls but as the European tour rule stated, whoever scored the higher game in the second match win.

Despite giving the champion a run for her money, Aaron settled for second in what turned out to be a great week for Malaysia. Int he semifinals earlier, Aaron Kong knocked out teammate, Sharon Koh, 502-499 in a thrilling nail-bitting finale.

Sharon edged Aaron, 237-235 in the first match but Aaron turned a table with a 267-265 thriller to the delight of the local Italians. Shalin Zulkifli was less fortunate when she was beaten convincingly by the eventual champion, Ghislaine van der Tol, 399-464 in the other semifinal match.

Ghislaine had reached the semi beating Italy's Enrico Maddaloni, 487-455 in the quarterfinals while Shalin edged Serge Frouvelle of France, 436-424 in the second quarterfinal match. Aaron outclassed England's Paul Moor, 534-444 to reach the semi with Sharon Koh dispatching Sweden's Martin Larsen, 484-335 in the last quarterfinal match.

Perhaps the most unlucky Malaysian was Daniel Lim, who lost to the eventual champion, Ghislaine in the Stage 3 knockout finals after he had topped the Stage 2 finals convincingly. Lim, however did not go

down easliy putting up a great fight but lost, 494-520.

Alex Liew was knocked out by Shalin Zulkifli, 433-477 at the same stage. Siti Safiyah Amirah was also eliminated by Aaron Kong, 424-491 when both faced each other. In another similar match, Sharon Koh ousted teammate, Zulmaran Zulkifli, 538-462 in the Stage 3 finals.

It was unfortunate that three of the four Stage 3 knockout matches saw Malaysians facing each other. All-in-all, Malaysia had a fantastic outing which saw seven making the Stage 3 finals in their first-ever European tour.

Photos by Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

22nd July, Serravalle: Four out of the six Malaysian bowlers, made the next round of the San Marino Open 2007 after the Stage 1 finals ended at Rose’n Bowl Sunday morning with Jesper Agerbo of Denmark topping the field.

Reigning Women World's Championship singles gold medalist, Esther Cheah put up the best performance with a total of 1002 to take up third place leading her teammates into the Stage 2 quarterfinals.

Aaron Kong finished fifth with 933 ahead of Shalin Zulkifli in seventh and Choy Poh Lai tieing in ninth with 909 and 890 respectively. The two who missed the cut were Wendy Chai and newly-crowned Czech Open champion, Zandra Aziela in 20th and 30th placings.

Only top 18 on scratch scores at the end of the 4-games Stage 1 Final will make Stage 2. Other notable stars who also failed to make the cut were Tim Mack of USA, Philippines Open champion, Wu Siu Hong, Christian Karlsson and Peter Ljung of Sweden.

These top 18 bowlers shall now play another 4 games together with 7-12 positioned bowlers from the overall qualifying list. The six bowlers who were seeded as 7-12 positions were Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia, Mark Buffa of Canada, Adrian Ang of Malaysia, Ghislaine Van der Tol of Netherlands, Daniel Lim of Malaysia and Martin Larsen of Sweden.

Top 10 at the end of another 4 games on scratch in Stage 2 Finals will then move on to Stage 3 Finals on a two games match elimination semifinals. There were seven Malaysian bowlers in the Stage 2, and another 3 seeded in 1-6 for semifinals, a dominating force well respected by the European Bowling community.

Bowlers from 29 countries participated in the 3rd San Marino Open which is one of the major leg of the European Tour.

Photos by Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

20th July, Serravalle: Reigning National Champion and national elite rookie, Sharon Koh stamped her mark at the San Marino Open to storm into second spot in the qualifying leaderboard after an amazing third attempt in Squad 11.

The national eleite rookie, who was placed overall eighth with 1390 after second attempt yesterday, put up stella performance with lines of 205, 215, 259, 259, 246 and 266 to total 1498 including 48 pins handicap and topping the chart this afternoon with an unbelievable average of 241.60 scratch.

Teammate, Siti Safiyah Amirah was equally impressive knocking down lines of 226, 207, 279, 299, 202 and 213 for a 1474 total with handicap. Her fourth game came close to a perfection but left pin 10 standing in her last delivery. The effort put her second in the Squad.

"I visited the castle at the top of the 700 meter-high mountain in San Marino yesterday and I felt I was on top of the world. I'm sure that inspired me to bowl well this morning, so I'm very pleased to rise to

second place overall in the qualifying standings with 1498," commented Sharon Koh at the end of the Friday morning squad.

"I am surprised it is so hot here but the area is very beautiful. It was nice in the Czech Republic last week and I would like to go back to the caves there as they were so cool.

"The European Tour is so well run so I would like to come back and play in more events, but my main objective right now is to take my place in the Malaysian team for the Women's World Championships in Mexico."

Meanwhile, Alex Liew improved his 1369 total overnight to 1473, just one pin behind Siti and gave Malaysia 1-2-3 finish in Squad 11. Sharon's second position virtually assured her a spot in the quarterfinals as the Top 12 automaticaly qualifies for the next stage.

Positions 13-48 placed bowlers will then have to play another 4 games on Sunday morning and only top 24 on scratch will join the quarterfinals. As of today, Malaysia has 4 bowlers among the top 6 led by Sharon in second, Siti Safiyah fourthth, Alex fifth and Adrian sixth.

The Malaysian bowlers will have a rest day tomorrow as both the squads are fully booked prior to their arrival. They will just relax and wait for the final ranking.

Photos by Keith Hale, Bowlers' Journal International.

19th July, Serravalle: Malaysian national keglers once again showed their prowess as they dominated the qualifying table of the San Marino Open taking seven of the eight top posiions in the first squad on Thursday morning.

Two time national champion and youngster, Adrian Ang was the top scorer, putting together a six-game series of 1430, with 222, 235, 223, a high game of 269 in his fourth, 234 and 247 to take over pole position of the leaderboard.

"I think I had a really good breakfast this morning to make me bowl as well as this," Adrian commented after the set. "This is my first time in Europe and I'm thoroughly enjoying the trip and so pleased to be bowling well.

"I think the lane condition here is a little easier than I'm used to in Asia but it all adds up to good experience, so I would love to come back and compete in more European Bowling Tour events.

"The big difference is the format as in Asia the qualifying is over four games and here it is six. I don't think I have a preference for either as I just come to bowl. I really hope that we can finish well in this tournament and show that Malaysia has a really good team."

Meanwhile, ABF Tour TOC champion, Daniel Lim put in a similar consistent round to take up second with 1423 with lines of 257, 191, 258, 248, 243 and 226. Newly-crowned Czech Open champion, Zandra Aziela hauled herself up from 75th position to fourth ahead of overnight leader, Choy Poh Lai, who dropped to fifth on 1406.

Siti Safiyah Amirah also improved from 24th to sixth after chalking up 1402 followed by Aaron Kong in seventh with 1390. National elite rookie, Sharon Koh surged up the table to eighth from 20th with 1390.

Zulmazran Zulkifli also did better to take up 10th on 1379 followed by Alex Liew bettering his 1291 score yesterday to 1369 to finish 12th. Other Malaysians, Shalin Zulkifli (15th-1359), Wendy Chai (18th-1351), Esther Cheah (29th-1314) and Mohd Noer Said (34th-1287).

Last week the Malaysians competed in a tournament in Olomouc in the Czech Republic, a city about 300 km north of Prague, finishing 1-2-3-5. "We didn't compete for the prize money," commented national squad director, Cheah Ban Cheng. "Our aim is promote the sport and help developing nations."

Photos by Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC and Keith Hale, Bowlers Journal International.

18th July, Serravalle: Emulating the success of Czech Open, Malaysian bowlers continued to make waves in their maiden ride at San Marino Open on Tuesday with Choy Poh Lai leading the Malaysian pack.

Taking to the lanes in their first attempt at 8:00 pm squad at Rose' n Bowl, Serravalle, Choy Poh Lai of Malaysia, attracted the attention of the participating crowd as she led the combined field after 6 squads bowled.

Poh Lai started off with a modest score of 199 in her first game, then went into full swing with 267, 248, 217, 227 and 200 for a total of 1406 plus 48 pins handicap to become the new leader.

Inspired by his newly acquired Gucci charm, another Malaysian, Aaron Kong executed a string of strikes in his qualifying round posting 237, 256, 214, 207, 246 and 230 resulting in a 1390 series; giving Malaysia a 1-2 lead.

After a pathetic start of 187, 181, Wendy Chai tweaked her lines to romp home on 224, 199, 246 and 266 accummulating 1351 index plus 48 pins handicap to position herself in 6th spot.

Malaysia's bowling icon, Shalin Zulkifli put up a respectable display, registering 202, 222, 209, 223, 210 and 215 for a 1329 series plus 48 pins handicap to finish in 10th position.

Asian Games two Gold medalist, Esther Cheah who was cruising to a pole position finish, met with a disasterous 6th game of 159 ending up on joint 12th place with 1314 total. Other Malaysians in their first attempts were Daniel Lim (14th-1310), Alex Liew (16th-1291) and Sharon Koh (20th-1282).

Czech Open first runner-up, Sisi Safiyah Amirah only managed 1276 for 24th position with Adrian Ang (25th-1274), Zulmazran Zulkifli (50th-1208) and Zandra Aziela (75th-1134) and Mohd Noer (94th-1065). For detailed results, logon to www.sanmarinoopen.com.

Photos by Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.