5th May, Jakarta: Wendy Chai brought home an historical victory when the Malaysian defeated topseed, Karen Marcano of Venezuela, 2-1 to clinch the women's crown of the World Ranking Masters 2008 while Zulmazran Zulkifli was denied the men's title losing to Finn Jari Ratia, one game to two.

Malaysia brought home the women's crown when sixth-seed, Wendy Chai defeated topseed, Karen Marcano of Venezuela, 2-1 in the title match. Marcano edged Wendy, 186-181 in the first game but the Malaysian rebounded with a 200-160 victory over the Venezuelian in the second to move into the deciding match.

When Marcano had a split in the third frame, Wendy took gained confidence to knock down four consecutive strikes to open up a 40-pin breather. But an open frame in the seventh from Wendy gave a slim chance to Marcano when she recovered with a double in the sixth and seventh frames.

But when the champion regained her composure to shoot a double strike in the next two frames, the match was more or less sealed giving

the Malaysian her first-ever world title. Wendy had lost to a South American, Clara Guerrero in the 2005 World Ranking Masters to finish as runnerup.

"Although I lost the first game, I was a confident that I can win the next two games as Holloway has lined me up on which line to bowl when I was warming up," said Wendy when interviewed by ESPN after her historical victory.

"And when I drew level after the second game, I knew I had a good chance to take the title. Holloway gave me a lot of confidence and encouragement throughout the final. I wish to dedicate this victory to my dad, who passed away last year and my mom, my coach and the whole team.

"We both made the decision on the line to bowl before the start and it paid off handsomely," said the delighted national chief coach, Holloway Cheah. "During the practice, Wendy kept warming up on the short oil so that she will be stronger.

Wendy had disposed off fourth-seed, Krista Pollanen of Finland, 2-0 in the second semi-final to book her place in the finals while Karen Marcano ousted Latvia's Diana Zavjalova, 2-1 in the first semi.

Marcano had also ended Indonesia's hopeful, Putty Armein, 2-1 in yesterday's quarter-final while Wendy Chai also knocked out another Inodnesian youngster, Tannya Roumimper, 2-0 to move into the semi-final.

The champion took home US$10,000 as Marcano settled for US$5,000. Sami Konsteri, who won US$3,000 for finishing third, also won an extra US$3,000 for topping Squad A, Squad C and emerging as overall leader after the 24-games qualifying rounds.

Meanwhile, Malaysia was denied a possible historical double but went down to seventh-seed, Jari Ratia of Finland, 1-2 in the men's finals. Jari Ratai, who reached the finals knocking out his country's national coach, Sami Konsteri 2-0 with scores of 190 and 180 to Konsteri's 171 and 172. The Finn outclassed his challenger, Zulmazran Zulkifli, 248-191 in the first game of the best of 3 matches men's final.

Jari could have sealed the victory in the second game when he only needed to spare home in the final two frames as the Malaysian struggled to find his winning form previously shown in the in semi-final. He could not believe his luck when he struck two perfect pocket shots to see pin 7 and 10 standing and conceding the game to Zulmazran, 173-179.

But in the third and deciding game, the Finn made the best of four

strikes-in-a-row putting pressure on Zulmazran, which was evident when he made numerous mistakes opening the first, second and sixth frames. By the ninth frame, Jari had sealed the match and clinch his first-ever world title and ending the game with 212 to Zulmazran's 185.

"I'm good on short oil but because the finals were played on two different lane conditions, Sami (Konsteri) and I decided to use the urethane ball instead of a reactive one so that I could bowl on extreme right next to the gutter," said the estatic Jari Ratia during his interview with ESPN.

"I'm glad we made the correct decision and it paid off. I was very unlucky to shoot two unbelievable 7-10 splits in the final two frames but Sami told me to forget about it and go on to the next game.

"Jari is usually comfortable with the second arrow but to bowl on second board and doing so well is an amazing acheivement for him. But the decision to use the urethane ball made him more comfortable," said the Finish national coach, Sami Konsteri.

The champion had qualified for the knockout stage in seventh position from the three days of qualifying rounds. He moved into the semi-final by dispatching second-seed, Lucas Legnani of Argentina in the quarter-final yesterday.

The runnerup, Zulmazran earned a crack at the title by ending Indonesia's favourite, Ryan Lalisang, 2-1 in the other semi-final. The fifth-seed Malaysian also disposed off Denmark's Jesper Agerbo, 2-1 in yesterday's quarter-final to move into the semis.

"When Jari (Ratia) had two consective 7-10 splits in the second game to give me a second chance, I just didn't take the opportunity," said Zulmazran after losing 1-2 to the Finn in the finals.

"I should have made the necessary adjustments earlier but didn't, so it is my fault. But I'm overall very pleased with my performance as I wanted to at least make the top 8. And to finish second is a great feeling too.

"I had high hopes for Zulmazran as he has been bowling extremely well but this is bowling and sometimes things don't go your way," said Malaysian national coach, Holloway Cheah. Zulmazran settled for US$5,000 while the chapion won US$10,000 for his victory. The team will return via Malaysia Airlines MH720 arriving KLIA at 6.45pm. Detailed scores: Women's Finals and Men's Finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

4th May, Jakarta: Malaysia has two bowlers in the semi-finals of the World Ranking Masters 2008 when Wendy Chai knocked out Indonesian Tannya Roumimper, 2-0 in the women's quarter-finals while Zulmazran Zulkifli dispatched Jesper Agerbo of Denmark, 2-1 to reach the semi.

Wendy Chai and Shalin Zulkifli had made the quarter-final best of 3 match knockout stage as sixth and second seeds after the final Squad C block ended on Sunday evening at Senayan Sportainment Bowling Centre.

Chai amassed a total of 4636 with three 8-games blocks of 1610, 1521 and 1505 over the three day qualifying rounds while the five-time national champion and Malaysia's fancied title contender, Shalin Zulkifli maintained her second position throughout the three days with a total of 4740 with 1617, 1552 and 1571.

Moving immediately into the quarter-final, Chai crusied into the semi after she edged Squad A leader, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia, 203-201 in the first game and then outclassed her opponent, 211-136 in the second game.

Shalin, however was less fortunate despite winning the first game 30-26 over the nine and ten frame tie breaker when the Malaysian and Latvia's Diana Zavjalova tied at 175. Diana drew one-all after she took the second game, 220-199.

In the tightly fought deciding third game, all Shalin needed was to knock down a double strike in the final frame but saw a stubborn pin 10 standing and narrowly crash out, 183-189.

Topseed, Karen Marcano of Venezuela edged Indonesia's strongest contender, Putty Armein, 2-1 to book her semi-final spot while the last semi slot went to Squad B leader, Krista Pollanen of Finland eliminating Karen's elder sister, Alicia R. Marcano, 2-0 in the last quarter-final.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's only quarter-finalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli had to work harder to reach the semi. The Malaysian Open champion took the first game, 225-181 but lost to fourth-seed, Jesper Agerbo of Denmark, 208-234 in the second and forcing a third game decider.

Zulmazran opened with a turkey, a spare in the fourth frame and then a double in the fifth and sixth frames put his opponent under pressure. The early lead never look threatened and Zulmazran took the game to earn his semi-final spot, 208-195.

Overall topseed, Sami Konsteri of Finland, who topped Squad C where Zulmazran finished third, knocked out UAE's Hussain Al-Suwaidi, 2-0 to move into the semi. Konsteri's fellow compatriot, Jari Ratia joined the Finn in the semi with victory over Argentine, Lucas Legnani, 2-0.

The final spot went to local favourite, Ryan Lalisang when he narrowly edged Squad B leader, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar, 2-1 in the quarter-finals. Konsteri will meet Jari in the all-Finn semi-final while Zulmazran will face Lalisang in the other match.

Karen Marcano will be match against Diana Zavjalova as Chai sets up her encounter with Krista Pollonen which will commence tomorrow, May 5th. Detailed scores: Women's Quarter-finals and Men's Quarter-finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

3rd May, Jakarta: Malaysian men made an impressive recovery in the second block of the 8th World Ranking Masters 2008 as Daniel Lim finished third in Squad B while Qatar's Mubarak Al-Muraikhi became the new pole sitter.

Finishing sixth in yesterday's first squad, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar, opened with a sizzling 255 but just 1 pin ahead of Ryan Lalisang spurred on by a large crowd of local supporters with Malaysia's Daniel Lim a further 2 pins in third.

As the local favourite posted 230 in the second game, Lim matched strides for strides with 232 to share the lead followed by Muabarak 14 pins away in third. A disasterous 167 in the third by the Indonesia provided Lim the opportunity to grab the lead after knocking down 222.

The Malaysian held on to the lead until Muabarak recorded eleven strikes-in-a-row and looking set to shoot the championship's first perfect game. But the Qatari left a single pin standing to the disappointment of the spectators.

Mubarak did however, end the squad in the lead with an 8-game score of 1732 as Ryan recovered to snatch second spot with 1705. Daniel's pace dropped in the last two games to finish a creditable third on 1683 while Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE gave Asia the top 4 positions.

The 1732 from Mubarak moved him into the overall lead after the two blocks on a total of 3399. Hussain took second spot with 3364 while the stronger performance from the Indonesian also moved him up to third.

"I'm usually good on short oil but I just couldn't find a suitable line to bowl yesterday and only managed 17th," said the three-time national champion, Daniel Lim. "Long oil is not my strength but I'm happily surprised that I bowled much better in this squad.

"What I need now is to tackle the 4 games on short oil in the final squad and then try to do better and make the top 8 cut," added Lim, who have improved to eighth overall with 3218. Fellow compatriot, Zulmazran Zulkifli also improved to just one slot off the top 8 on 3207.

Alex Liew made up four places to end the two blocks in 14th and 70 pins away from teammate, Lim. Overnight leader, Sami Konsteri of Finland started on the wrong foot and failed to get into his stride and ending up eighth in the squad and fifth overall.

The men will end their final block of 8 games tomorrow at 3.30pm after the women complete theirs at 11.30am. The top 8 finishers from the grueling 24-games qualifying will advance to the two-game total pinfalls elimination knockout quarter-final the same evening.

The winners of the quarter-final rounds will proceed to the semi-final and finals on Monday, 5th May and all the matches will be televised LIVE on local television starting at 10.00am. Detailed scores: Men's 2nd Block and Men's Overall Standings.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

3rd May, Jakarta: Malaysian women made good progress after the second block of 8 games qualifying round of the 8th World Ranking Masters 2008 was contested Saturday morning with Shalin Zulkifli maintaining second while Wendy Chai and Zatil Iman finished fifth and sixth positions.

Making the best progress was debutant, Zatil Iman who managed to haul herself up from ninth overnight to sixth overall after the second block of 8 games were bowled so far. The 19-year-old finished third in the second squad with 1558 behind Hong Kong's Vanessa Fung and Finland's Krista Pollanen.

Alica R. Marcano of Venezuela shot the highest game so far in the championship with 268 to take the early lead and maintained it after the second. Diana Zavjalova of Latvia, who was trialing the Venezuelean took over after the third when Marcano fell off the pace.

Hong Kong's Vanessa Fung gradually made up grounds and took over the lead at the halfway mark until Finland's Krista Pollanen mounted her challenge to grab pole after the seventh game. The Finn went on to edge Fung to top the squad with 1597.

Fung settled for second, just 9 pins adrift on 1588 while Zatil Iman's better showing today gave her a third place finish on 1558. Shalin kept close to the leaders to take fourth spot with 1552 while Wendy Chai also made good progress to take up seventh in this squad with 1521.

Shalin was unable to overhaul leader and home favourite, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia despite Tannya only posting 1512 and finishing 12th in the second squad. The Malaysian however, retain second overall after 16 games with 3169.

Tannya remain in pole position after two squads on 3231, 62 pins in front of Shalin. Squad B leader improved from 10th position overnight to third with 3151 with England's Kirsten Penny dropping to fourth on 3132.

Wendy Chai also dropped one rung to fifth with 3131 while fellow compatriot and teammate, Zatil Iman made a hugh move towards making the top 8 by taking up sixth position with 3129.

"Things appear to be alright since arriving late yesterday from the US after a long flight," said chief coach, Holloway Cheah, who was with the women team at the USBC Queens championship in Michigan.

"I did not see them bowl in the first two games but arrived the centre during the third game. The first thing I noticed was that the lane conditions are tougher than I expected. The area to bowl is very tight.

"But after communicating with the bowlers, they are now beginning to make the right changes and are adapting well. They are on the right

track and I believe all three of the women have a good chance of making the top 8 cut.

The women will resume with their third and final block earlier tomorrow at 9.00am. The men will commence their second block in the afternoon. Detailed scores: Women's 2nd Block and Women's Overall Standings.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

2nd May, Jakarta: Malaysian men were slow off the mark in their opening squad of the 8th World Ranking Masters 2008 as the Finns Sami Konsteri and Jari Ratia taking pole and third spots sandwitching Argentine Lucas Legnani in second.

Local favourite and newly-crowned ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Ryan Lalisang set the early pace with an opening game of 239 and kept the lead into the second. A few low games dropped the Indonesia down the field as Argentina's Lucas Legnani grabbed the lead for the next two games.

Malaysian Open champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Alex Liew and Daniel Lim failed to make the early impression and were in mid-field in the 24-men first block qualifying round. The Argentine could not sustain the pace and handed the lead to Finland's Sami Konsteri after the seventh game.

The Finn went on to finished in pole position with a total of 1708 followed by Lucas Legnani in second with 1704 while Jari Ratia, also from Finland finished third with 1684. Best Asian finisher was Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE, taking up fourth spot with 1682.

Zulmazran was Malaysia's best finishing men in 16th position, Daniel Lim 17th and Alex Liew 18th. Zulmazran is 100 pins off the eighth-placed bowler. The Malaysians have to fire all their cyclinders if they were to make the top 8 cut.

"The lanes were tougher on the right side of the center as the backend was extremely strong," said Konsteri, who coaches the Finland national senior and junior teams. But as we moved over to the left, the oil carried down slightly actually help a bit and I was able to post higher games.

"It will not easy against this strong field for tomorrow's long oil but it will suit my style of play better.

The women will resume with the second block of 8 games at 10.00am followed by the men at 2.00pm. The third block will be contested on Sunday, May 4 at the end of which the top 8 will advance into the 2-games total pinfalls elimination quarter-finals. Detailed scores: Men's 1st Block.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

2nd May, Jakarta: Five-time national champion and three-time Asian Ranked No. 1, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia made an impressive start in the opening squad of the 8th World Ranking Masters 2008 finishing second to Indonesian debutant, Tannya Roumimper.

Puerto Rican, Jessica M. Santiago and Finn Krista Pollanen set the pace joint leaders in the opening game of the 8-game first block over short oil condition as the top 16 top-class field took to the lanes this morning.

Santiago kept a blistering pace into the second game with another superb 210 to maintain her lead but with masters debutant, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia closing in second just 1 pin adrift.

Three-time Asian anked No. 1, Shalin Zulkifli, who started poorly with 156 in her opening game surged forward after she rebounded with 247 and 205 to take over the lead after the third game albiet only 6 pins ahead of the Indonesian Tannya.

The local hopeful kept up a good momentum going into the halfway mark to move into top spot after a superb 233 in her fourth game and continued to chalked up lines of 247, 204, 222 and 212 to end the first block in pole position.

Shalin amassed a total of 1617 with lines of 176, 203, 241, 196 and 193 after losing the lead to Tannya. Last year's semifinalist, Wendy Chai gave a good account of herself when she took fourth spot behind 5 pins behind Kirsten Penny of England.

"I was caught off guard in the first game as the conditions were slightly stronger in the backend from yesterday's practice," said Shain, who just turned 30 last week. "I made adjustment in the first few games to get back my stride and I had to change my ball in the second half when we moved to the left part of the centre.

"I'm not strong in the long oil condition tomorrow but I'll try to maintain my scores and come back stronger again in the third block when we play on both coditions.

Masters debutant and winner of last year's Singapore Open, Zatil Iman had a good start and was at one stage trailing her fellow compatriot but found the pace too hot to handle and dropped off slightly to end up in ninth with 1571.

The women will resume tomorrow with the second block at 10.00am in the morning while the men will commence their first block after the lane maintenance. Detailed scores: Women's 1st Block.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

1st May, Jakarta: Six Malaysians are up for the challenge as they face a world-class field in the 8th World Ranking Masters 2008 which will kick off a day after the official opening ceremony held at Senayan Sportainment on Thursday evening.

The top 8 men and top 8 women from each of the American zone, European zone and Asian zone making a total of 24 men and 24 women have assembled in the capital city of Indonesia hosted by Indonesian Bowling Association for the first time ever in Asian since its inception seven years ago.

The world-class field reached the World Ranking Masters through their zone ranking tournaments held throughout 2007, where each of the bowlers have earned points from the positions they finished in each of these tournaments.

Up for the challenge from Malaysia in the men's division will be the newly-crowned Malaysian International Open Masters champion, Zulmazran Zulkilfi. The in-form Zulmazran made the finals after finishing sixth in the Asian Ranking last year behind compatriot, Daniel Lim in fifth.

Both the Malaysians are strong contenders for the men's title and are joined by the third member and 2005 Asian Ranked No. 1, Alex Liew. Strong title contender this year will surely be the local favourite and Asian Ranked No. 2, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia. Newly-crowned Kuwait Open champion, Jason Belmonte of Australia, is not taking part.

2001 and 2003 Asian Ranked No. 1, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong will also be one of the favourites while defending the men's crown will be England's Stuart Williams, who won the coveted title at the 2007 masters in Florida, USA will be in the fray. Strongest challengers from the American zone will be Argentine Lucas Legnani and Venezuela's Arturo Hernandez and Canadian Mark Buffa.

In the women's division, hopes will be put upon five-time National champion, Shalin Zulkifli. The 2001, 2003 and 2004 Asia's No. 1 will surely give her opponents a run for their money. Masters debutant, Zatil Iman will be out to prove her prowess against a top-class field.

The third Malaysian women is Wendy Chai, who reached the semifinals last year's masters in Florida, will also be in contention for a good showing. American zone strongest title contender will be the experienced Karen Marcano, who will be appearing at her fourth masters. 2003 World Championship Doubles gold medalist pair of Kirsten Penny and Zara Glover are expected to feature well for Europe.

The championship was officially declared open by the Honorable Mr Adhyaksa Dault, State Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs of Indonesia

and guest of honour, and attended by the Honorable Ms Rita Subowo, Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee.

Also present were Mrs Jessie Phua of Singapore, President of Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ), American Zone (PABCON) President, Mr José Antonio Guandique of El Salvador representing World Tenpin Bowling Association President, Mr Kevin Dornberger of USA.

The guest of honour, dignitaries, embassy representatives, sponsors and guests were treated to a modern adaption of a traditional dance during the opening ceremony. The bowlers from all the three zones and 21 countries were introduced during their parade and march past.

The championship kicks off tomorrow (Friday) with the women contesting their first block of 8 games at 10.00am while the men will take to the lanes at 2.00pm. There will be three blocks of 8 games each bowled over the first 3 days.

The top 8 men and top 8 women at the end of the 24 games preliminary rounds will advance to the knockout stage in the quarter-final on Sunday May 4. The winners will advnace into the semi-final and eventually the final title round to decide this year's champion.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.