2nd November, Kaoshiung: Hong Kong's, Wu Siu Hong and defending champion, Sharon Koh, both topseeds, claimed the Men's and Ladies' Open Masters titles in the stepladder finals at Happy Bowling Centre on SUnday evening.

Wu, who won his first international title this year with victory in the Guam Open last month, easily defeated overnight leader, Hsiao Chun-Ho, 246-192 to win his the Men's Open Masters title.

The champion posted the highest 8-game series of 1911 in the second block to moved up from sixth in the first block to qualify for the stepladder finals as topseed. First block leader, Hsiao Chun-Ho of Chinese Taipei, who was seeded third, beat second-seed, Muhd Nur Aiman of Malaysia and compatriot, Sun Kuang-Ming, 225-145-213 in the second match to reach the final.

But the Taiwanese had no answer for the in-form Wu in the title match and had to settle for the runner-up position. Fourth-seed, Sun eliminated fifth-seed, Eugene Low of Singapore and the sixth-seed, Kelvin Keong, 222-207-168 in the first stepladder match.

Meanwhile, defending champion Sharon Koh of Malaysia, who made the stepladder finals as topseed, was stretched into the sudden-death decider after she lost to challenger, Yap Seok Kim of Singapore, the first match 202-212.

But Sharon fought back to cruise to a comfortable victory over the Singaporean, 236-182 to retain the title. Yap, who was seeded fifth, knocked out second-seed, Pan Yu-Fan of Chinese Taipei and Siti Safiyah of Malaysia, 234-211-160 to reach the finals.

Yap also eliminated fourth-seed Chian Hsiu-Lan of Chinese Taipei and current Asian Ranked No. 1, Chan Shuk Han, 208-189-181 in the first Ladies' Open stepladder match. Zatil Iman of Malaysia, missed the steplader cut in seventh with 3268.

Photos by B.C. Cheah.

1st November, Kaoshiung: Chinese Taipei's Hsiao Chun-Ho led the strong filed of 40 finalists at the end of the first block of the Men's Open Masters finals at Happy Bwoling Centre on Saturday evening.

Singapore's youngster, Eugene Low set a cracking pace with a score of 251 and continued to lead the field with another superb 258 and a 210 in the second and third games followed by Chinese Taipei's Chen Yung-Chuan in hot pursuit.

An average 186 from the Singaporean saw Chen taking over the lead at the halfway mark but only 5 pins ahead while three-time Indonesia Open champion, Alex Liew of Malaysia, closing in on the leaders.

A scintilating 289 posted by Liew in the fifth game, saw the newly-crowned southpaw moving into the front albiet 2 pins from a recovering Eugene Low while Chen could not keep pace and dropping down the field quickly.

Three strong games of 248, 235 and 277 gave another Taiwanese, Hsiao Chun-Ho the lead when the field completed the first block of 8 games. Hsiao amassed a total of 1889 to lead Liew by 56 pins on 1833 followed by Eugene in third with 1821.

Remy Ong, who missed scoring the third perfect game of the championship with a 299, took fourth spot with 1812 while Sun Kuang-Ming and Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong rounded up the top 6. The finalists will resume with their second block of 8 games tomorrow with the best six advancing to the stepladder finals.

Photos courtesy of CTBA.

1st November, Kaoshiung: Defending champion, Sharon Koh Suet Len of Malaysia looked poised to successfully retain the Ladies' Open Masters title of the 10th Chinese Taipei International Open at the end of the first block at Happy Bowling Centre.

Singapore's ex-national, Yap Seok Kim opened accounts with a cracking 257 to lead the field of 34 finalists in the 8-game first block Ladies' Open Masters finals ahead of top local qualifier, Cheng Yen-Ting is second on a 225 game.

The Singaporean's lead was short-lived as Sharon Koh of Malaysia shot 257 in her second game after a moderate 217 in the first game to take over the lead as Yap dropped to second. The Malaysian continued her hot pace with lines of 207, 202, 267, 224, 246 and 223 to end the block with 1843.

Yap settled for second with 1763, 80 pins adrift followed by Jennifer Tan of Singapore, who stormed home with 255 and 248 in her final two games to claim third spot with 1676.

Top overseas qualifier, Siti Safiyah of Malaysia shot 1666 to finish ahead of Wang Yu-Ling of Chinese Taipei in fifth with 1665. Pan Yu-Fan of Chinese Taipei completed the top 6 with 1662 followed by Malaysia's Tang Joh Six, who was second at the halfway mark. Tang finished seventh from Asian Ranked No. 1, Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong eighth.

The finalists will resume with another 8 games in the second block tomorrow with the top 6 advancing to the stepladder finals. The Men's Open first block will commence shortly.

Photos courtesy of CTBA.

31st October, Kaoshiung: Malaysian national youth, Aris Ardila bagged his first international title when he triumphed in the 10th Chinese Taipei International Open Youth Masters finals at Happy Bowling Center on Friday morning.

The 17-year-old from Miri, Sarawak defeated 15 finalists, including four teammates to win the Youth Masters title with a 10-game total of 2158. Ardila had a poor start with a low game of 151 as reigning Malaysian national champion and compatriot, Fahmi Bahri set the pace with a superb 266 opening game.

But the champion slowly crawl his way back with lines of 214, 240 and 226 in his next three games. Although he suffered another low game of 167 in the fifth game, Aridla rebounded again with 245, 211, 268, 221 and 215 to seal the victory.

PBAP Classic Youth champion, Michael Mak finished 27 pins behind the

Malaysian to take second spot with 2131 while pace-setter, Fahmi Bahri and Mohd Haziq tied for third position with 2062. Chinese Taipei's Huang Hung-Pin rounded up the top 5 in fifth position.

"I'm very happy to have won the Youth Masters title here in Kaohsiung. This is my first international title and it means so much to me," said Aris after the final game. "It's not only a great Hari Raya present, but the victory gives me a lot of confidence. I know I can do better now and hope to win more international tournaments in the future."

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei's Lin Han-Chang took the Senior Masters title with an 8-game total of 1702 ahead of ex-international, Frankie Cheung of Hong Kong in second with a score of 1647.

Last year's Hong Kong Open Senior champion, Terdpron Iboon of Thailand finished third with 1577 ahead of two Taiwanese, Ma Ying-Hao and Wang Ching-Ming making up the top 5 finishers with 1562 and 1560 respectively.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

30th October, Kaoshiung: Asian Championship Team gold medalist, Muhd Nur Aiman of Malaysia, stormed into the lead of the Men's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard in the 10th Chinese Taipei International Open on Thursday.

Muhd Nur Aiman, who just turned 20 last month, posted the highest 4-game score of 1014 to take over the overall lead in the Men's Open standings. Aiman's first international title was winning the 2007 Penang Pesta title in December last year.

Newly-crowned Guam Open champion and overnight leader, Wu Siu Hong dropped on rung to second on a score of 981 ahead of three-times Indonesia Open champion, Alex Liew of Malaysia in third with 920.

Newcomer, Li Yun-Nien of Chinese Taipei topped the local pool with 925 and third overall. He led compatriots, Huang Cheng-Hsiung and 2006 champion, Ku Ching-Ho in second and third with 905 and 904 respectively.

Malaysia's Siti Safiyah Amirah maintained her lead in the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying standings with 914. Singapore's Jennifer Tan surged into second spot after a superb 889 effort with 2007 Singapore Open champion, Zatil Iman of Malaysia third with 887.

Chinese Taipe's Lin Yi-Fan led the local pool with 897 and second overall followed by Singapore Open runnerup, Wang Yu-Ling and Chang Yao-Chien second and third with 882 and 865.

Meanwhile, veteran Ho Hsin-Yi topped the Senior Masters table with a superb 892 ahead of Yeh Wen-Kai and Chou Te-Jung taking up second and third spots with 883 and 881 respectively.

Malaysia dominated the Youth Masters table with Siti Shazwani, Jacqueline J Sijore and Syimir Abdul Razak occupying the top 3 spots. Siti posted an impressive 963 with Jacqueline and Syimir on scores of 943 and 897.

The top 38 with defending champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia and the top 32 with defending champion, Sharon Koh will contest the Masters finals over two blocks of 8 games each on November 1 and 2.

The top 6 best finishers will advance to the stepladder finals. The Senior and Youth Masters finals was contested this morning. The Senior and Youth finals will be held October 31.

Photos courtesy of CTBA.

29th October, Kaoshiung: Guam Open champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong and Siti Safiyah Amirah of Malaysia grabbed the early lead in the Men's and Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table of the 10th Chinese Taipei International Open.

Wu Siu Hong, who won this year's Guam Open, knocked down a superb 981 to lead both the Men's Open Masters overseas pool and overall qualifying table. The pole sitter, who had a disappointing finals in the 6th Indonesia Open after qualifying top, will be hoping to do better this time round.

Singapore's Remy Ong shot 918 in his first attempt to take up second spot while PBAP-Storm Classic Youth champion, Michael Mak finished third with 912. Newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion, Alex Liew and teammate, Adrian Ang rounded up the top 5 with 885 and 870 respectively.

In the local pool, Li Yung-Nien took over the lead with 925 from overnight leader, Huang Cheng-Hsiung, who dropped to second with 905. 2006 Taipei Open champion, Ku Ching-Ho finished third on 904.

In the Ladies' Open division, Malaysia's Siti Safiyah Amirah impressed with a 4-game total of 914 to lead both the overseas and overall table. Teammate, Zandra Aziela and this year's Singapore Open second runner-up, Wang Yu-Ling of Chinese Taipei, shared second spot with 882.

Asian Ranked No. 1 and Guam Open champion, Chan Shuk Han took third spot with 868. Wang also topped the local pool. The top 38 Men's Open with defending champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia and the top 32 Ladies' Open with defending champion, Sharon Koh of Malaysia will contest the first block finals on November 1st.

The bowlers will complete their second block on November 2nd during which the top 6 from each division will advance to the stepladder finals. Qualifying ends on October 31st.

Photos by Terence Yaw.