26th April, Ulsan: Host nation Korea topped the Men's Team of 5 first block of 20th East Asian Championship at Hyundai Art Bowling Centre this evening ahead of Japan in second and Chinese Taipei third.

Korea's Team of 5 comprising of Lee Young Jun, Son Young Seok, Jun Bung Oh, Choi Ki Bong and anchored by Singles Bronze medalist Choi Jong In took the team to the top after 3 games with a combined total of 3434.

165 pins behind the Koreans were the mighty Japanese with Toshihiko Takahashi, Tomokatsu Yamashita, Tomoyuki Sasaki, Koichi Kawada and two Gold medalist, Masahiro Hibi on a score of 3269. Third position went to Chinese Taipei's Cheng Fang Yu, Yang Nzen Hua, Cheng Chao Sheng, Chen Chun Chien and Wang Tuen Fu with a total of 3160.

After a total of 18 games, Korea's Choi Jung In continued to lead the Men's All-Events standing with a total of 4230 and a margin of 95 pins ahead of his nearest opponent, Doubles Gold medalist Toshihiko Takahashi who has 4135 for second. Third spot went to Korea's Lee Young Jun on a total of 4048.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei women gave their country some hope of winning a Gold medal when they took the lead of the Women's Team of 5. Wang Yi Fen, Pan Yu Fen, Hung Shu Chun, Chien Hsiu Lan and Tsai Hsin Yi scored a combined total of 3158 and a comfortable lead over home team Korea. Cha Mi Jung, Han Hye Young, Lee Ma Eum, Kang Hyun Jin and Kim Soo Kyung could only manage 3009 for second.

Japan's Naoko Sekine, Kazumi Sato, Miki Nishimura, Atano Katai and anchored by two Gold medalist Hiroko Shimizu were not far behind with only 12 pins separating themselves and second-placed Koreans on 2997.

Hiroko Shimizu stretched her lead in the Women's All-Events standings after 18 games with 3977, 170 pins clear of second-placed Kim Soo Kyung of Korea. Kim has 3807 to stay ahead of Chinese Taipei's Tsai Hsin Yi who

totalled 3755 for third spot. Another Korean. Lee Ma Eum still has a contention for a medal in 4th place 22 pins behind Lee on 3733.

The men will continue their second block Trios followed by the Team second block. The top 16 based on a total of 24 games in the All Events will qualify for the Masters finals on Wednesday 28th April.

Scores and photos courtesy of Dr. Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General.

26th April, Ulsan: Japan stole the show of the 20th East Asian Championship when both their men and women led the first block Trios event this morning at Hyundai Art Bowling Centre.

Kazumi Sato, Mai Takasaka and Miki Nishimura took the lead of the Women's Trios first block of 3 games with a combined score of 1885. The Japanese trio was only 22 pins ahead of host nation Korea comprising of Doubles Silver medalist, Cha Mi Jung, Lee Ma Eum and Kim Soo Kyung who totalled 1863.

The other Japanese pair of Doubles Gold medalist, Naoko Sekine, Ayano Katai and anchored by two Gold medalist, Hiroko Shimizu managed third just 3 behind on 1860.

Chinese Taipei's Chien Hsiu Lan, Singles Silver and Bronze medalist, Pan Yu Fen and Tsai Hsin Yi finished fourth a further 9 pins away on 1851.

Hiroko Shimizu of Japan stretched her lead in the Women's All-Events standings with 3419 after 15 games followed by Korea's Cha Mi Jung in second with 3142 while Miki Nishimura stromed into third spot with 3141 with just a single pin separating her from second.

Meanwhile, Japan stole the show on Day 3 after the men also topped the first block Trios. Singles Gold and Silver medalist, Masahiro Hibi and Toshihiko Takahashi teamed up with Tomokatsu Yamashita to take the 26-pin lead with a score of 2042.

Chinese Taipei's Cheng Fang Yu, Wang Tuen Fu and Chen Chun Chien finished second on 2016 followed by China's Xu Zhan Kui, Ma Xiao Ran and Lu Jian Hua who scored a combined total of 1956.

Doubles Gold medalist continued to lead the Men's All-Events standings with a total of 3535 after the Trios event. Choi has only a 55-pin cushion over Singles Silver medalist, Toshihiko Takahashi who totalled 3470 for second position. Third spot went to Taipei's veteran, Wang Tuen Fu on 3386.

Both the men and women will be starting their first block Team of 5 event after lane maintenance and will continue the second block Trios and Team event tomorrow (27th April).

Scores and photos courtesy of Dr. Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General.

25th April, Ulsan: Singles Bronze medalist, Choi Jong In and Choi Ki Bong scored the host nation Korea's first Gold medal of the 20th East Asian Championship by capturing the Men's Doubles event this evening.

The Korean pair of Choi Ki Bong and Singles Bronze medalist Choi Jong In recorded a total score of 2765 for a runaway win in the Men's Doubles and a comfortable 111 pins margin. Choi Ki Bong knocked down 1282 while Choi Jong In scored the highest 6-game series in the championship so far with 1474.

Chinese Taipei settled for the Silver and Bronze medal when Cheng Fang Yu and Yang Nzen Hua could only manage 2645, just 19 pins ahead of teammates Cheng Chao Sheng and Chen Chun Chien who totalled 2626. The other Korean pair of Lee Young Jun and Son Young Seok finished 4th with 2593.

A 1474 in the Doubles event has taken Choi Jong In to the top of the Men's All-Events standings after two events on a total of 2858. He is 136 pins

ahead of Singles Silver medalist, Toshihiko Takahashi of Japan who has a total of 2722. Korea's Lee Yung Jun lies in third spot with 2703.

Japan continues to lead the overall medal tally with 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal on 20 points with Korea moving up to second with 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze and a 4th placing on 11 points. Defending champion, Chinese Taipei lies third in the table with 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals on 10 points.

Scores and photos courtesy of Dr. Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General.

25th April, Ulsan: Singles Gold medalist, Hiroko Shimizu and Naoko Sekine continued Japan's domination of the 20th East Asian Championship by capturing their third consecutive Gold medal in the Women's Doubles event this morning.

The Japanese pair shot a total of 2641 to comfortably capture Japan's third Gold medal in the Women's Doubles event. Naoko Sekine knocked down 1278 but the win was significantly contributed by the 27 year-old Singles Gold medalist, Hiroko Shimizu who knocked down 1363.

Despite the home team Korea making a final bid in the last two games of the event, World Championship Gold medalist, Cha Mi Jung and Asian Games triple Gold medalist, Kim Soo Kyung could only manage 2574 and a 66-pin deficit to settle for the Silver medal.

China's Shen Yu Ye and Zhang Yu Hong finished third another 15 pins further on 2559 to take the Bronze medal while Japan's other pair of Kazumi Sato and Ayano Katai ended up in 4th place with 2502.

Hiroko Shimizu lead the Women's All-Events table with a total of 2728 after two events with two Koreans Cha Mi Jung in a distance second on 2559 and Lee Ma Eum in third spot with 2534. Japan stretched their lead in the overall medal tally with 3 Gold, 1 Silver medal and a 4th placing on a total of 19 points. Home team Korea takes second with 1 Silver, 1 Bronze and a 4th placing on 6 points just 1 point ahead of defending champion Chinese Taipei with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal for 5 points.

Scores and photos courtesy of Dr. Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General.

24th April, Ulsan: Hiroko Shimizu clinched Japan's second Gold medal from the Women's Singles event of the 20th East Asian Championship this afternoon ahead of two Taiwanese Pan Yu Fen and Tsai Hsin Yi.

Shimizu, the 2001 Asian Bowling Tour Hong Kong leg, increased her pace from the 3rd game onwards and never looked back to win Japan's second Gold medal. The 27 year-old company employee knocked lines of 194, 192, 234, 234, 243 and rounded off with a high 268 in the 6th game for the win. Shimizu scored 1365, 69 pins ahead of two Taiwanese Pan Yu Fen who scored 1296 and Tsai Hsin Yi with 1287 for Silver and Bronze medals respectively.

China's Zhang Fen Li missed out on a medal finishing 4th just 9 pins from third-placed Tsai.

Japan dominated the championship so far capturing two Gold and and 1 Silver to take the lead in the Overall Medal tally on 13 points with Chinese Taipei in second with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal for 5 points. The host Korea lies third with a solitary Bronze medal and a 4th placing on 3 points.

Scores and photos courtesy of Dr. Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General.

24th April, Ulsan: Japan's Masahiro Hibi and Toshihiko Takahashi finished 1-2 to capture the men's Singles Gold and Silver medal of the 20th East Asian Championship on Day 1 while Korea's Choi Jong In took the Bronze medal.

Japan's Masahiro Hibi snatched the Gold medal from his teammate Takahashi Toshihiko in the 6th and final game of the Men's Singles event this morning. Toshihiko was leading by 88 pins after he shot a 269 in the 5th but only managed a 166 in his final game while the champion, Masahiro finished strongly with a 257.

Masahiro had lines of 214, 235, 248, 234, 202 and 257 for a total of 1390 just 3 pins ahead of Toshihiko who had 1387.

The pair gave Japan their first Gold medal in the championship after Masahiro picked up the Gold and Toshihiko the Silver. Another 3 pins behind came Korea's Choi Jong In who settled for the Bronze medal with a score of 1384.

Another Korean, Lee Yung Jun finished 4th on 1374. The Women's Singles will be available later today.

Scores and photos courtesy of Dr. Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General.

23rd April, Ulsan: The Chinese Taipei, who dominated the previous meet in Guam will be defending their overall champion title as the championship gets underway in an official opening held yesterday in Ulsan, Korea.

Chinese Taipei dominated the 19th edition of the East Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships here in Central Lanes Bowling Center in Tamuning, Guam as they garnered 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze medals. Korea came in second with 3 Gold, 9 Silver and 2 Bronze medals while Japan took third spot with 2 Gold and 3 Silver medals.

The 20th East Asian Championship will be held from the 19th to 29th April in Ulsan where 7 countries namely Korea, Japan, China, Chinese-Taipei, Macau, Hong Kong and Guam will be competing 5 events for the Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team and Masters.

The colorful opening ceremony held yesterday was officiated by Mr. Park Maeng Woo, Mayor of Ulsan accompanied by Mr. Song Si Sang, Ulsan City Council Vice President and Ulsan Congressmen Mr. Jung Gab Yoon and Mr. Kim Ki Hyun.

Also present were FIQ Secretary General Dr. Danny Santos, WTBA Hon. Life President Mr. Kyohei Akagi, ABF President Mrs. Vivien Fung and East Asian Bowling Council President and KBC President Mr. Chi Jung Sup.

The ceremony started with the teams from the 7 countries parading at the bowling centre followed by the welcoming address by Mr Chi Jung Sup, Organising Chairman and President of the host federation, Korea Bowling Congress.

The championship will kick off today (24th April) with the Singles event for the men divided into 2 squads followed by the Singles for the woemn later in the day. Results will be available at at this site.

Photos courtesy of Dr. Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General.