18th December, K.Lumpur: Malaysia's 14-yer-old wonder boy, Muhd Rafiq Bin Ismail outclassed top seed, Kong Byoung Hee of Ulsan, Korea in two matches to cap off a remarkable performance and win The Masters title of the 12th MILO International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championship.

Seeded No. 3, Muhd Rafiq eliminated two national elite squad members, No. 2 seed Sharon Koh and winner of the first match, Muhd Nur Aiman, 255-210-248 to take on top seed Kong Byoung Hee of Korea.

But the win did not come easy as the Form 2 student of SMK Bukit Indah had to strike out to edge Aiman thanks to an 8-pin handicap allocated being a graded bowler to advance to the title match.

In the title match, Muhd Rafiq had missed a single pin in the second frame but recovered to take the first match, 235-215 and forced a sudden-death decider. The Korean was simply no match for the fearless Malaysian as he romped home a comfortable victory over Kong, 254-199 to win The Masters title.

The champion more than made up for his disappointment in yesterday's finals of the Boy's Open division when he lost to Tay Hui Chiang of Singapore in the title match.

Muhd Rafiq won for himself the top prize of RM30,000 while Kong settled for RM15,000. Rafiq also picked up RM15,000 for his second place finish yesterday and an additional RM4,000 as top graded bowler finisher, ending a splendid outing.

Muhd Nur Aiman, who beat No. 4 seed and team-mate, Alex Liew and Hong Kong's Michael Chan, 255-209-235 in the first stepladder match, picked up RM10,000 for his effort.

In the earlier 10-game Masters finals, Kong Byoung Hee topped the field with 2618 followed by Sharon Koh in second with 2518. Muhd Rafiq took third spot with 2506 ahead of Alex Liew in fourth with 2492.

The only non-Malaysian, Michael Chan of Hong Kong finished fifth with 2466 while Muhd Nur Aiman made the stepladder finals in sixth with 2459. Kim Min Hee of Seoul Metropolitan City and Syaffique Ikhwan completed the top 8 who were all left-handers.

Kong also picked up an additional RM1,000 for scoring the 12th perfect game of the championship in the sixth game of the finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

17th December, K.Lumpur: Tay Hui Chiang of PBC denied Malaysia a double after the Singaporean bagged the Boy's Open Masters of the 12th MILO International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championship while Dayang Khairuniza of Malaysia, clinched the girl's crown.

The highlights of the finals showcased a high-scoring title match between top seed, Tay Hui Chiang of Singapore and challenger MTBC special squad member, Muhd Rafiq Ismail. Tay rolled a double and three strikes in a row but was overcome by the striking power of Muhd Syafiq losing the first match, 228-268 and forcing a decider.

The Singaporean bounced back with eight consecutive strikes but the Malaysian was not about to give up matching the top seed with six consecutive strikes.

When Tay spared his ninth frame and ended with a strike and a spare in the bonus frame, Muhd Rafiq needed to strike out to take the match. But the 14-year-old knocked down only 7 pins in the tenth frame to give Tay victory, 269-256.

"I was still trying to find the right line to bowl in the first game as my opponent had settled down quaicker," said the Raffles Institute Singapore student, Tay Hui Chiang. "I changed my ball during the last frame of the first match and I decided to use it in the second match.

"The ball reacted well and I managed to string together mre strikes. But it was not easy at all as the Malaysian matched me frame for frame. I'm glad I kept my nerves to win the title," added the 2010 Singapore national champion.

Muhd Rafiq was in unbeatable form when he defeated third-seed, Rodson Tong and fourth-seed, Muhd Nur Aiman in an all-Malaysian left-handed semi-finals, 276-213-258 to advance into the title match.

Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana of Malaysia made up for the disappointment in the SEA Games after the top seed capped off a superb year with victory in the Girl's Open Masters finals beating challenger and No. 4 seed, Syaidatul Afifah, 215-187 in the all-Malaysian title match.

Khairuniza was forced into the deciding match after she lost the first match, 181-215 to Syaidatul but bounced back to in the secomd match to take her first-ever international crown. The champion had earlier rolled two massive games of 277 and 290 to leap frog into top spot of the 10-game finals with 2345 and advanced into the stepladder finals as top seed.

"I was a bit tense in the first match and I also could find a good line to bowl," said the Sarawakian Dayang Khairuniza. "But as soon as I settled down, I was able to focus to making good shots.

Syaidatul, who was leading the field before the final game, slipped down to fourth to squeeze into the stepladder finals. She took full advantage by beating No. 2 seed, Jacqueline Sijore and No.3 seed, Clara Lau, 208-183-171 to face Khairuniza.

Tay Hui Chaing won the top prize of RM25,000 as champion with Muhd Rafiq settling for RM15,000. Muhd Nur Aiman who finished third, took home RM8,000 while Rodson won RM5,000.

Khairuniza was richer by RM18,000 with her maiden victory as Syaidatul won RM10,000. Jacqueline Sijore and Clara Lau took home RM5,000 and RM3,000 respectively.

The Masters Finals (formerly All-Stars Classic) will be contested tomorrow by the top 48 qualifiers.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

16th December, K.Lumpur: Remy Ong of Singapore rolled the 11th perfect game of the 12th MILO International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championship at the 3.00pm squad to move into third position of The Masters qualifying table.

As the tournament entered into its final day of qualifying, competition intensified and produced some astonishing scorelines. Remy Ong, who has had seven previous attempts, finally nailed it as he scorched the lanes with 279, 216 and the tournament's 11th perfect game for a 3-game series of 795 to move into third position of the Masters table.

Koreans were also making headway with Soung Gyeong Eun of Daejeon Metropolitan improving from 47th position to tie 11th position with compatriot, Lee Yeon Ji of Seoul Metropolitan on 765.

Joining tem were Ka Yun Mi fourth with 789, Son Young Seok from Ulsan in 13th position with 762, Kim Min Hee of Seoul Metropolitan 16th with 754 and Won J.Y. from Ulsan 19th with 747.

Sitting firmly in the lead of the Boy's Open Masters local pool is still Muhd Nur Aiman with 822. Muhd Rafiq Bin Ismail, who shot the 10th perfect game to lead the Singles event, is second with 784.

Making the cut in the local pool was Mohd Nazmi of Penang after the youngster rolled 730. Left-hander Javier Tan of Singapore Sports School topped the overseas pool with 813 followed by Sam Cooley of Australia second with 799.

Newly-crowned Boy's Graded champion and another lefty, Tan Gian Yion of SGCC Singapore moved into third position effortlessly with 796 pushing Qatar's Hazeem Al-Merekhi and Tay Hui Chiang of Singapore down to fourth and fifth positions.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Lim Hye Young of Daejeon Metropolitan overtook the lead in the Girl's Open Masters overseas pool with a superb 758 dislodging overnight leader, Clara Lau of PBC Singapore into second spot.

Korean girls were also making an impact with Lee Yeon Ji, Jeong Eun Hee and Baek Seung-Ja, all from Seoul Metropolitan joinng in fourth, sixth and ninth positions.

There were no changes in the local pool with Zatil Iman, Syaidatul Affifah and Siti Safiyah remaining in the top 3. The only mover was national youth, Natasha Roslan making the cut in 10th position after a impressive 683 effort.

The top 48 in The Masters qualifying table will contest their finals on December 18 while top 12 from local pool, top 12 from overseas pool, top 18 from mixed pool plus top 3 from desperado squad will contest Boy's Open Masters finals tomorrow morning.

The top 11 from local pool, top 11 from overseas pool, top 12 from mixed pool and top 2 from desperado squad will contest their Girl's Open Masters finals tomorrow afternoon.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

15th December, K.Lumpur: Ex-national and southpaw, Rodson Tong rolled the eighth perfect game of the 12th MILO International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championship to move into the lead of The Masters qualifying table.

Rodson Thong, who was dropped as a national bowler when the Malaysian backup squad was disbanded, had already made the cut for the Boy's Open Masters finals in 11th position in the local pool.

Trying his luck in The Masters, the 20-year-old from Pahang blazed the newly-renovated lanes at Sunway Mega Lanes with the tournament's seventh perfect game. Rodson followed it up with 228 before another stunning 287 ending his attempt with 815.

His 3-game tally took him into the front of the pack, dislodging another ex-national and reigning national champion, Kang Bo Long into second spot. Ka Yun Mi of Seoul Metropolitan City, Korea took up third in the table with 789.

The current cut for the 48th position in The Masters qualifying stood at 685, an average of 222.33. With two more days left for qualifying, this score will very likely increase to a minimum of 700.

Meanwhile, Koo Seong Hoi of Ulsan, Korea shot the tournament's ninth perfect game making it the third of the day. The first came from Rafif Santoso during the Boy's Graded Masters finals and second from Rodson.

The Korean ended his attempt in the Boy's Open Masters qualifying round with 237 and 235 for a 3-game series of 772 which put him fifth in the overseas pool. Singapore Sports School's Javier Tan and Australia's Sam Cooley remained in the top two positions with 813 and 799.

There were no changes in the local pool with Muhd Nur Aiman, Muhd Rafiq B Ismail and Wan Nadzmi Fikri occupying the top 3 positions with 822, 784 and 764 respectively.

Two-time Singapore National CHampionship first runner-up, Clara Lau of Singapore took over the lead of the Girl's Open Masters overseas pool after she posted 238, 258 and 237 for a total of 733.

Overnight leader and compatriot, Ilma Nur Jannah slipped down to second on 728 while Lee Yeon Ji from Seoul Metropolitan City rounded up the top 3 with 719.

There were also no changes in the top 3 positions on the local pool. Fourth perfect gamer, Zatil Iman led the table with 753 followed by Syaidatul Affifah and Siti Safiyah in second and third with 727 and 719.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

15th December, K.Lumpur: Left-handers dominated the Youth Graded Masters finals of the 12th MILO International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championship by taking up the top three positions in the Boy's division.

Boy's Under-15 second runnerup, Tan Gian Yion of Anglo-Chinese Independant got off to a splendid start to lead the field of 32 finalists after the first 3-game series, 16 pins ahead of Jaya Ancol Bowl's Rifif Santoso in second.

Despite following it up with 269, 246 and 209 in his second 3-game series, Tan had to trail Rafif after the Indonesian rolled the seventh perfect 300 in game 5 following a 268 in the fourth and 196 in the sixth game.

The 14-year-old Singapore youngster slipped back with 171 in the seventh game allowing Rafif to extend his lead but bounced back with 268 and 256 in the eighth and ninth games to narrow the gap to just 2 pins.

The champion blazed the lanes with a stunning 289 to snatch victory with 2415 while Rafif ended with 224 to settle for second spot with 2352, 63 pins adrift.

A third left-hander, Ervin Lim of Sarawak clinched third spot with 2284 completing the top 3 positions all being left-handers.

Tan pocketed the top prize of RM12,000 for his win while Rafif took home RM6,000 as first runner-up. Ervin won RM3,000 for finishing third. All the winners also walked away with a Masters bowling shoe and a Quantum pendant courtesy of FusionExcel.

Malaysian youths finally broke the stronghold of Singapore after Nazira Bte Nasir of Pahang bagged the Girl's Graded Masters title with 2189 pinfalls. Anis Shazlin of Premium Lanes, Penang finished second with 2138.

A further 91 pins came Nurul Atiqah Ahmad of Johor, who took third spot with 2098. Nazira, a law student at UiTM got off to a superb start reeling in 234, 257, 233 and 237 in her first four games.

Although the 18-year-old managed only 180, 194 and 192 in her next three games, her lead never looked threaten as she went on to capture the crown with 248, 200 and 214. Nazira won RM6,000 as champion with Anis and Nurul settling for RM3,000 and RM2,000 respectively.

The next Masters finals will be the Open division which will be held on December 17. Qualifying ends tomorrow.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

14th December, K.Lumpur: Sam Cooley of Australia shot the qualifying rounds' sixth perfect game to improve his score in the Boy's Open Masters qualifying of the 12th MILO International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championship but remained second in the standings.

Sam Cooley, winner of last year's AMF Australian Masters and a regular competitor of the MILO International Junior All-Stars struck the magical twelve consecutive strikes to earn himself the RM1,000 daily perfect game award.

The 300 posted by the Aussie was the sixth in the tournament thus far and improved his qualifying score to 799 from 760. Despite the improvement, Cooley remained second in the Boy's Open Masters qualfying standings behind Singapore Sports School's Javier Tan.

Debutant, Hazeem Al-Merekhi and the only Qatari, made up grounds with 785 to take up third in the table as bowlers scrambled to make the cut in the last two days of qualifying.

Sitting comfortably atop the local pool is first perfect gamer, Muhd Nur Aiman with a score of 822. National youths, Muhd Rafiq Bin Ismail and Wan Nadzmi Fikri also remained in second and third with 784 and 764.

In the girl's division, Singapore national youth, Ilma Nur Jannah notched up an impressive 728 to move into the lead of the overseas pool, 9 pins ahead of newcomer, Lee Yeon Ji of Seoul Metropolitan City, Korea in second with 719.

Overnight leader, New Hui Fen slipped down to third with 714 followed by another Korean, Jeon Eun Hee fourth with 711. Newly-crowned Singapore national champion, Kristel Oh rounded up the top 5.

There were no changes to the local pool with fourth perfect gamer, Zatil Iman in the lead with 753. National youth, Syaidatul Affifah and national elite squad member and former champion, Siti Safiyah second and third.

Koreans also made progress when Ka Yun Mi, with a handicap of 18 pins, moved into second position in The Masters qualifying table with 789. Reigning Malaysian natinal champion, Kang Bo Long remained in the lead with 803.

Qualifying continues for the next two days for the Open division and The Masters division before their finals on December 18 and 19. The Youth Graded division finals will be held tomorrow morning.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

14th December, K.Lumpur: Singapore youths are having a field day at the 12th MILO Junior All-Stars Bowling Championship after sweeping the Boy's and Girl's Under-15 Masters titles at Sunway Mega Lanes on Wednesday.

Singapore Sports School's Muhammad Danial Zheng Li got off to a perfect start after rolling the first 300 in a Masters finals and the tournament's fifth to lead Singapore national youth, Danish Ramlan.

Muhammad Danial continued to lead the pack for the next three games but handed the lead to his team-mate and top qualifier, Alex Chong at the halfway mark of the 8 games finals with Marcus Seah of SGCC trailing in second by 14 pins.

Chong, who started off slowly with 189, stepped up his pace with 233, 238 and 276 to take over the running. The 14-year-old left-hander went on to take victory with 1831 after shooting 236, 191, 257 and 211 in the second half.

Marcus settled for second spot with 1781, 50 pins off the champion while another youth from SGCC, Tan Gian Yion clinched third spot with 1759.

Norman Cai and Johan Goh finished fourth and fifth as perfect gamer, Muhammad Danial fizzled off to end up in sixth position. Only two out of a field of 18 finalists were Malaysian, who finished eighth and 14th positions.

Meanwhile, Singapore also dominated the Girl's Under-15 Masters finals with Joey Yeo clinching the title with 1641, just 8 pins ahead of Charmaine Lim of Singapore Sports School in second with 1633.

Kristin Quah, who was tussling for the lead with fourth-placed, Megan Gwee in the early stages, settled for third spot with 1628, just 8 pins ahead of Megan.

Only three Malaysian girls qualified and competed in the field of 18 finalists. Nurul Atiqah Bte Ahmad from Johor was Malaysia's best finisher in fifth position with 1600 while Iffah Nadhirah finished sixth with 1596.

Qualifying continues for the next two days for the Open division and The Masters division before their finals on December 18 and 19. The Youth Graded division finals will be held tomorrow morning.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

13th December, K.Lumpur: Singapore youths competing at the 12th MILO International Junior Bowling Championship made their mark after SEA Games gold medalist, New Hui Fen took over the lead in the Girl's Open Masters overseas qualifying table on Tuesday.

The Singaporean, who won this year's Macau Open, will be hoping to end the year on a high by capturing the Girl's Open title. "If I do well in the Junior All-Stars, I might try my luck also in The Masters for the senior," said the 18-year-old Hui Fen.

SEA Games silver medalist, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia did well to take up third spot after rolling 676 as two-time Singapore national runner-up, Clara Lau and Shayna Ng completed the top 5 in the overseas pool woth 675 and 671 respectively.

Sitting atop the local pool is perfect gamer and national elite squad member, Zatil Iman with 753. National youth, Syaidatul Afifah and another perfect gamer, Siti Safiyah finished second and third with 727 and 719.

In the Boy's Open division, Singapore Sports School's Javier Tan totaled an impressive 813 to head the overseas pool. Overnight leader, Sam Cooley of Australia slipped down to second with 760.

Debutant, Devin Bidwell of United States occupied third spot with 698 ahead of Singapore's Low Eng Howe and Qatar's Hazeem Al-Merekhi rounding up the top 5 with 697 and 673 respectively.

The top 3 positions in the local pool remained unchanged with first perfect gamer, Muhd Nur Aiman occupying top spot with 822 followed by Muhd Rafiq Ismail in second with 784 and national youth, Johnathan Chan third with 757.

Meanwhile, ex-national and reigning national champion, Kang Bo Long of Topgun Bowlzone topped The Masters qualifying leaderboard with 803. Selangor's youngster, Sheena Dina Rizal took second spot wit 783 thanks to a 45 pin handicap.

Qualifying continues through to December 16. The Under-15 Masters finals will be held tomorrow morning while the Graded division Masters finals will be contested on December 15.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

13th December, K.Lumpur: Singapore's Iliya Syamim and Ryan Thong swept the Girl's and Boy's Under-12 Masters titles of the 12th MILO International All-Stars Bowling Championship at Sunway Mega Lanes on Tuesday morning.

Iliya Syamin posted an astonishing 206.13 average for a 11-year-old as she cruised to a comfortable victory in the Girl's Under-12 Masters finals with a total of 1649. The champion, who took up the sport just barely two years, finished 94 pins ahead of her nearest opponent.

"This is my second visit to Malaysia for the championship and I'm so happy to have won it," said Iliya, who hopes to be accepted at the Singapore Sports School next year so that she can develop her bowling further.

Nur Syazwani of Kuala Lumpur finished second with 1555 followed by Nurul Aina Syakirah of Perak third with 1493. Vanessa Choong of Strike Academy, Singapore and Charmaine Lim of Singapore Sports School completed the top 5.

Meanwhile, Ryan Thnong Jian Biao of Singapore, clinched the Boy's Under-12 Masters title with a total of 1611 to deny two youths from Selangor, Muhd Nu'aim B Amran and Ahmad Nabil, who finished second and third with 1589 and 1569 respectively.

Ryan Thong, like Iliya are trained by ex-national Katherine Kang, a coach from Singapore Sports School. "This is my first outing outside of Singapore and I'm delighted to have won it," said the pint-size Ryan.

Auston Cheang of Strike Academy, Singapore and Alistair Ting of Malaysia completed the top 5 with 1551 and 1544 respectively.

The winners took home a trophy each, Brunswick DB8 bowling ball, Korea Perfect FM pro bowling shoe and Advance double roller bag which was given away by Michelle Wong, Tournament Director and and assistant general manager of Sunway Mega Lanes.

The winners took home a Quantum Science pendant each courtesy of Fusion Excel which were given away by Mr Chan Tek Peu.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.

12th December, K.Lumpur: Malaysian national bowlers, Zatil Iman and Muhd Nur Aiman led the Girl's and Boy's Open Masters qualifying rounds of the 12th MILO International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championship underway at Sunway Mega Lanes.

Zatil Iman, who only managed a bronze medal at the Jakarta SEA Games last month, scorched the lanes with 248, 279 and 226 for a 3-game series of 753 to head the Girl's Open Masters table.

The 22-year-old Malaysian southpaw is competing in this tournament for the last time, will be hoping to end her youth campaign with a victory. At today's 11.00am squad, Zatil recorded the fourth perfect game of the championship in her first game.

But Zatil managed only 192 and 201 in her remaining two games for 703. She will pocket RM1,000 if no one else can score a 300 for the resdt of the day.

National youth, Syaidatul Affifah registered 727 to finish second in the table while former champion, Siti Safiyah of Malaysia, who scored the tournament's second perfect game on Day 2, took third spot with 719.

Meanwhile, national bowler, Muhd Nur Aiman, who shared RM1,000 with Diam Mirza of Selangor for posting the first of two perfect games on Day 1, led the boy's table with a stunning 822 series.

Muhd Rafiq Bin Ismail of Malaysia, also impressed with 784 to finish second to Aiman while national youth, Johnathan Chan took third spot with 757. Sarawakians Mohd Haziq Sahli and Chong Jun Foo rounded up the top 5 with 730 and 720 respectively.

Singapore Sports School's Javier Tan put in a splendid performance in his first attempt to head the overseas pool with 813 with lines of 256, 278 and 279. The 17-year-old took over the lead from overnight leader, Sam Cooley of Australia, who settled for second with 760.

The 12th edition of the immensely popular MILO International Junior All-Stars feature four youth catagories - Open, Graded, Under-15 and Under-12 for boys and girls. Qualifying started December 8 and will end December 16.

The first Masters finals will be held tomorrow morning for the Under-12 division and on December 14 for the Under-15. The Masters finals for the Graded division will be contested on December 15 while the Open division on December 16.

At the same time, this year's division for the adults have been integrated into the junior tournament and their Masters finals will be contested on December 18. Sunway Mega Lanes recently converted their wooden lanes to synthetic and installing flat-screen monitors.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Sunway Mega Lanes.