17th July, Hong Kong: Top seed, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia captured the Men's Open Masters title of the 42nd Hong Kong International Open with just one match while second-seed, Esther Cheah defeated top seed twice to win her third Hong Kong Open crown.

Lalisang, who had topped the earlier Stage 2 finals with 1730 to advance to the stepladder finals as top seed needed only one match to deny Michael Mak of Hong Kong his third consecutive title, with a convincing 207-167 victory in the title match.

The Indonesian got off to a good start with three consecutive strikes as Mak had a split in his opening frame. Although Mak recovered with a double in his next two frames, two back-to-back splits in the fourth and fifth frames put the match beyond the Hong Kong national.

Mak, who won two consecutive titles in the 2016 Chinese Taipei Open and the ABF Tour Chinese Taipei in Kaoshiung last week, had earlier dispatched second-seed, Jassem Al Saqer of Kuwait and compatriot, Wicky Yeung, 245-211-195 in the semi-final to face the top seed.

Yeung took the first stepladder match with victory over fourth-seed, Hardy Rachmadian of Indonesia and fifth-seed, Johnathan Chan of Malaysia, 204-179-178 to advance to the semi.

The champion, who picked up the top prize of HKD$55,000 (approx. US$7,000), had topped the Men's Open Stage 2 finals with 1730, 30 pins ahead of the Kuwaiti on 1700. Mak finished third with 1677 while Rachmadian, Chan and Yeung made the stepladder finals in fourth to sixth positions.

A third Indonesian, Yeri Ramadona missed the cut by 19 pins in seventh position. Mak settled for HKD$22,00 as first runner-up with Al Saqer taking home HKD$14,000. Fourth to sixth place finishers went home with HKD$7,000, HKD$4,000 and HKD$2,000.

The Women's title match was a much closer affair between defending champion and top seed, Lim So Hyun of Korea and challenger, Esther Cheah of Malaysia. Cheah edged Lim, 209-204 in the first game forcing the Korean to a second deciding game.

Lim had a better start with two strikes-in-a-row after sparing her opening frame while the Malaysian was content with spares in her first four frames. Cheah picked up her pace with three consecutive stikes then on as Lim suffered back-to-back splits in frames four and five.

The Korean failed to recover and the Malaysian went on to take the match, 210-179 and the title for the third time.

The champion, who had won the Hong Kong Open twice in 2012 and 2013, advanced to the title match by trashing two Indonesians, Nadia Pramanik, seeded third and winner of the first match, Tannya Roumimper, 246-173-189 in the semi-final.

Roumimper won the women's opening stepladder match defeating compatriot and fifth-seed, Sharon Limansantoso and a second Koream, Han Kyeo Rae, 224-212-215 to advance to the semi. Lim had finished first in the earlier Stage 2 finals with 1735 to advacne as top seed. Cheah took second spot just 16 pins away with 1719 while three Indonesians Pramanik, Roumimper and Limansantoso finished third, fourth ans fifth positions with 1661, 1660 and 1648 respectively.

Han clinched the sixth and last stepladder spot with 1645. A fourth Indonesian, Putty Armein missed the cut by 39 pins in seventh position. The champion pocketed HKD$26,000 (approx. US$3,300) with the first runner-up settling for HKD$14,000.

The second runner-up went home with HKD$7,000. The top 16 men and top 16 women finshers qualified for the fourth leg of the 2016 ABF Tour Hong Kong which will be staged at SCAA Bowling Centre tomorrow.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

16th July, Hong Kong: Kenneth Chua of Philippines easily won the Men's Open Stage 1 Masters finals of the 42nd Hong Kong International Open while Kim Kyung Sil of Ulsan topped the Women's division at SCAA Bowling Centre on Saturday.

2016 East Asian Championships Singles gold medalist, Tony Wong of Hong Kong got off to a superb start with 247 in his opening game to lead 2014 Incheon Asian Games Singles gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand by one pin.

Despite rolling another god game of 222 in the second game, Wong lost the lead to Chua after the Filipino added a big game of 248 to his first game of 226. Chua kept a good pace with 230 in the third before kncoking down a stunning 297 to open up a gap of 133 pins at the halfway mark.

The leader kept a steady pace in his next two before ending with 221 and 212 to win the stage with 1806. Yannaphon, who had traded second place with Hong Kong's Eric Tseng and compatriot, Badin Lerdpirisakulkit, claimed second position with 1758.

Tseng clinched third position with 1718 after ending strongly with 221 and 236 in his last two games.

Kuwait's Jassem Al Saqer took up fourth position with 1713 while Badin, who was third before the final game, slipped down to fifth with 1712. Johnathan Chan squeezed in Stage 2 finals in 18th position with 1598 while Ebrahim Al Jadi of Kuwait mised the cut by 19 pins in 19th. Early pace-setter, Wong finished 20th and the two-time Hong Kong Open winner, Wu Siu Hong failed to advance.

Debutant Kim Kyung Sil of Ulsan, Korea topped the women's division with 1738, comfortably ahead of 2013 Hong Kong Open champion, Esther Cheah of Malaysia in second with 1688. Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia took third spot with 1659.

Filipina, Lisa Del Rosario, who was in second position before the last game, slipped down to fourth after managing only 179 while defending champion, Lim So Hyun, also of Ulsan, Korea competed the top five with 1610.

Hong Kong's Chole Lee clinched the 15th and last position to advance into Stage 2 finals with 1518. Filipina, Liza Clutario missed the cut by one pin in 16th position.

The top 18 men will be joined by the three local and three overseas seeded qualifiers from the general standings for another eight games scratch in Stage 2.

The top 15 women will also be joined by the three local and three overseas seeded qualifiers for Stage 2. The top six men and top six women at the end of Stage 2 will proceed to the stepladder grand finals to determine this year's winners.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

16th July, Hong Kong: Ivan Tse of Hong Kong finally nailed his first major youth title with victory in the Youth Open Masters finals of the 42nd Hong Kong International Open ahead of Hong Kong Cup champion, Otto Leung.

Starting off with a splendid 235 in his opening game, Tse led compatriot, Cheung Wai Lam by ten pins but a lowly 183 saw the youngster dropping off as Tu Yu Hsiu of Chinese Taipei took over the running with Cheung still trailing in second.

Tse bounced back briliantly with 222 in the third game to move back up and trailed pace-setter, Yu by just a single pin but stumbled yet to another low game of 157 allowing newly-crowned Hong Kong Cup champion, Otto Leung to take up second as the Taiwanese continued to lead the field.

The Hong Kong national youth fought back again with a superb 258 in the fifth game to take over the lead followed by Leung in second and Yu slipping down to third.

Whilst Tse was uable to maintain a strong pace, he did continue to lead as Yu stayed close to the leader. Tse eventually ended with 210 to seal the victory with a total of 1633. Leung shot a big game of 224 to clinch second with 1612.

Pan Jing Ying of Chinese Taipei stormed home to snatch third spot with 1588, thanks to an 8-pin handicap she received as a female competitor. Yu missed the podium in fourth with 1584. 2013 Youth Open first runner-up, Nicolas Breant completed the top five with 1564.

The 18-year-old Tse, who won two silver and two bronze medals at the 2016 East Asian Championships and finished first runner-up twice in two consecutive Macau China Open, finally won his first international youth crown since taking up the sport almost eighth years ago.

The champion picked up HK$3,500 and a trophy for his effort while the first, second and third runner-ups earned HK$2,000, HK$100 and HK$500 respectively.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

15th July, Hong Kong: Ex-national, Jonathan Ng of Singapore surprised a strong field to take over the lead of the Men's Open Masters qualifying table ahead of two Indonesians at the 42nd Hong Kong International Open on Friday.

Ng rolled two consistent three-game series of 739 and 728 for a total of 1467 for the lead and crucially earn a bye in the Stage I finals. 2015 Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships Masters gold medalist, Ryan Lalisang moved into second position with 1448.

Perfect gamer, Diwan Rezaldy also improved his six-game tally to 1447 to join Ng and his compatriot in the top three bracket of the overseas pool. 2014 Incheon Asian Games Singles gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand improved to 1442 but miseed the top bracket by five pins in fourth position.

Overnight leader, Yeri Ramadona of Indonesia dropped into fifth position with 1429 and Filipino Kenneth Chua, who was leading the table for a brief moment, dropped further down to sixth with 1425.

Kim Dong Gyun of Changwoo City, Korea headed the mixed pool with 1403 while Korean ex-national, Jang Dong Chul is the cut at tenth position with 1342.

In the local pool, back-to-back title winner, Michael Mak retained his lead with 1400. Hong Kong Cup Masters first runner-up, Edmond Lo notched up 713 and 683 to leapfrog into the local top bracket in second with 1396. Early leader, Wicky Yeung remained in third spot with 1386. With more than ten countries participating in the men's division and vying for a spot in the final, this cut could easily go up to 1380 or more.

Meanwhile, overnight leader, Sharon Limansantoso and Putty Armein of Indonesia remained in the first and second with 1438 and 1405 respectively. Multiple gold medalist at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Lee Na Young of Ulsan, Korea moved up to third with 1393.

Filipina, Liza Del Rosario displayed good form to knocked down 1377 but missed the top bracket to settle for fourth position. Indonesia's Aldila Indryati headed the mixed pool with 1331 and the cut in ninth position is occupied by Dyan Coronacion of Philippines with 1292.

The lead in the women's local pool remained unchanged. Joan Cheng topped the standings with 1328 with 2009 Hong Kong Open champion, Chan Shuk Han securing her top bracket spot with 1276. Joey Yip slipped to third with 1272.

There will be three more squads at press time. A one-game desperado squad will be held immediately following the last squad to select three additional Men's Open qualifiers for Stage I finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

15th July, Hong Kong: 2015 Asian Championships Tenpin Bowling Masters silver medalist, Mostafa Al Mousawi of Kuwait captured the Youth Under-18 Masters title of the 42nd Hong Kong International Open ahead of two Hong Kong national youths.

The 17-year-old Mostafa got off to a cracking start with 248 in his opening game with his nearest rival and 2016 Macau China Open Youth Masters champion, Alex Yu in second, 36 pins adrift and Lin Yin Tong of Chinese Taipei third.

The Kuwaiti added 192, 220 and 221 before stumbling to a 167 after the fifth game but it still allowed him to lead the pack. Mostafa bounced back with 213 in his sixth and final game to take the title with 1261.

2015 Macau China Open Youth Masters first runner-up, Ivan Tse got the better of Yu this time to snatch second spot with 1231. Yu, who dropped his pace in the third to fifth game, recovered brilliantly with 268 in his final game to clinch third spot with 1020.

Filipino, Merwin Tan missed the podium despite ending strongly with 208 and 214 in his last two games to settle for fourth position with 1195 while two additional Kuwaiti youths, Abdulsalam Alsaqer and Abdullah Aldubayan came home fifth and sixth.

Wong Wang Yip of Macau won his second consecctive senior title after he emerged victorious in the Senior Masters finals with a total of 1292 which included a six pins handicap for each game. Chris Chui Po Ching of Hong Kong settled for second with 1251.

Edward Cheng of Hong Kong finished third with 1217, with four pins handicap per game. H.M. Sio of Macau and K.H. Ng of Hong Kong completed the top five with 1206 (plus 6 pins handicap) and 1170 pinfalls respectively.

Mostafa picked up HK$2,000 and a trophy as champion of the Youth Under-18 Masters. The first and second runner-ups took home HK$1,000 and HK$500 respectively. The Senior Masters champion earned HK$4,500 as champion.

The first and second runner-ups went home with HK$2,000 and HK$1,000. Qualifying will end late tonight with the desperado squad following immediately. The Grade B and Youth Masters finals will be contested at 9.00 am on July 16.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

14th July, Hong Kong: Sharon Limansantoso and Putty Armein continued to shine in qualifying after taking the top two spots of the Women's Open Masters standings at the 42nd Hong Kong International Open. at SCAA Bowling Centre.

Limansantoso remained in the lead with 1438 posted yesterday as her compatriot, Putty Armein, who headed the mixed pool hauled herself up into second position with 1405. 2014 Incheon Asian Games multiple gold medalist, Lee Na Young claimed third spot with 1393.

A third Indonesian and 2015 H.H. Emir Cup champion, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia slipped out of the top bracket into fourth position with 1374 while Filipina Liza Del Rosario completed the top five of the women's overseas pool with 1363.

Over in the local pool, 2014 Asian Youth All Events bronze medalist, Joan Cheng continued to lead the table with 1328 and ex-national, Joey Yip in second with 1272. 2009 Hong Kong Open champion, Chan Shuk Han moved into the top bracket with 1254.

Newcomer, Kang Kyung Mi of Chang Woo City, Korea headed the mixed pool with 1312 while Maria Arles of Philippines is the cut in ninth position with 1271.

Meanwhile, two-time ABF Tour winner Yeri Ramadona of Indonesia took over the lead of the men's division with a stunning 1429 pushing down brief leader, 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games Singles silver medalist, Kenneth Chua of Philippines into second on 1425.

Overnight leader, Cheng Hsing-Yueh of Chinese Taipei slipped down to third with 1419. First perfect gamer, Diwan Rezaldy of Indonesia slipped out of the top bracket into fourth position with 1419. 2013 Asian Youth Doubles and All Events gold medalist, Billy Muhammad Islam rounded out the top five with 1418.

Newly-crowned 16th Chinese Taipei Open and ABF Tour Chinese Taipei champion, Michael Mak also took over the lead in the local pool with 1400. Early leader, Wicky Yueng dropped one spot into second with 1386. Tony Wong occupied third spot with 1367.

Ex-national, Jonathan Ng of Singapore headed the mixed pool with 1392 while the cut in tenth position went to Lim Dong Sung of Chang Woo, Korea with 1309.

Last year's cut was 1363 and with the final day of qualifying tomorrow, the cut could reach that mark. Earlier in the day, ex-national youth, Otto Leung took the Hong Kong Cup Masters title with a ten-game total of 2090. Edmond Lo finished second with 2050 followed by another ex-national, Michael Tsang finishing on the podium with 2036.

Leung's victory earned him a place in the Men's Open Stage I finals on June 16. The final qualifying squad for the Senior and Youth Under-18 division is the 8.30 pm squad. They will contest their masters finals tomorrow morning.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

13th July, Hong Kong: Diwan Rezaldy rolled the tournament's first 300 to lead fellow-contrymen, Billy Muhd Islam and Hardy Rachmadian to occupy the top three positions of the Men's Open Masters qualifying table at the 42nd Hong Kong International Open.

Rezaldy, who won the 2013 Asian Youth Doubles gold medal with Islam at the same bowling centre, amassed 763 during his perfect game squad to add his second best three-game series of 635 for a total of 1419. Islam totaled 1415 to take up second.

2012 Asian Championship masters bronze medalist, Rachmadian gave Indonesia a one-two-three with 1398. Early leader Zoe Dias Ma of Macau was robbed of a bye and into fourth position with his 1396 total.

Meanwhile, newly-crowned 16th Chinese Taipei Open and ABF Tour Chinese Taipei champion, Michael Mak took over top spot in the local pool with 1368. 2016 East Asian Championships Singles gold medalist, Tony Wong also moved up into second position with 1351.

2015 Macau China Youth Masters champion, Jimmy Cheung clinched third spot after he improved his six-game tally to 1344.

Overnight leader, Wicky Yeung slipped into fourth position with 1343 while Ernest Kwok rounded out the top five with 1294. With two more days remaining before qualifying ends on July 15, the cut in tenth position in the mixed pool went to Aseel Al Roomi of Kuwait with a total of 1282.

Indonesians also ruled the women's division with Sharon Limansantoso and overnight leader, Tannya Roumimper occupying the top two spots with 1438 and 1374 respectively. Liza Del Rosario of Philippines earned third spot with 1363.

Hong Kong's Joan Cheng remained the lead of the local pool with 1328 followed by ex-national, Joey Yip and Jasmine Chiu in second and third with 1272 and 1186. 2016 Macau China Open women's champion, Novie Phang of Indonesia finished fourth with 1330.

Putty Armein of Indonesia headed the mixed pool with 1278 while the cut in ninth position is held by Syaidatul Afifah of Malaysia with 1214. Qualifying for the Hong Kong Cup will end at the 8.30pm squad and their finals will be held tomorrow morning at 9.00.

Qualifying for the rest of the divisions will end on July 15 with the Masters finals to be held on July 16 and 17. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women from the Open division will qualify for the ABF Tour Hong Kong leg on July 18.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

12th July, Hong Kong: Hong Kong national bowlers, Wicky Yeung and Joan Cheng took an early lead in the Men's and Women's Open Masters qualifying of the 42nd Hong Kong International Open Bowling CHampionships underway at SCAA Bowling Centre.

The national bowler started off superbly with 269 followed by 235 and 204 in his first attempt at the 11.30am squad for a splendid 708 series. Yeung added 633 in his second attempt at 1.00pm squad for a six-game tally of 1341.

Taking pole in the local pool would give Yueng a bye and advance to the second stage of the masters finals to be held on July 17. 2015 ABF Tour Hong Kong leg first runner-up and 2015 Macau China Open Youth Masters champion, Jimmy Cheung joined Yueng in second spot with 1283.

Rocky Hui of Hong Kong occupied third spot with 1270. 2016 East Asian Championships Singles gold medalist, Tony Wong headed the local pool in fourth position with 1255 while Ernest Kwok rounded out the top five with 1243.

Macau's Zoe Dias Ma topped the overseas pool with 1396 from 741 and 655 three-game series. World Youth bound, Aseel Al Roomi of Kuwait finished second with 1282 and Jayson John Tubio of the Philippines occupied third spot with 1278. Kevin Oliver Cu of the Philippines headed the rest of the overseas pool qualifiers in fourth position with 1257 ahead of compatriot, Kenneth Chua completing the top five with 1246.

Meanwhile, 2015 H.H. Emir Cup champion, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia topped the women's division to head the overseas pool with 1367. Two Filipinas Dyan Coronacion and Liza Clutario trailed the Indonesian in second and third with 1276 and 1270.

2015 ABF Tour Hong Kong first runner-up and 2013 Hong Kong Open Youth Masters champion, Joan Cheng posted 718 and 610 to lead the Women's Open Masters local pool with 1328. Ex-national, Joey Yip took up second spot with 1272.

Jasmine Chiu finished third to join the top two for a bye into Stage 2 finals. Carmen Tang headed the rest of the local pool with 1158. Chole Lee headed the mixed pool with 1080 alongside Zoe Tam in third with 1075.

The top three of each division will earn a bye and skipping Stage 1 finals. Men's Open local qualifiers positioned 4 to 10, overseas qualifiers positioned 4 to 12, the ten qualifiers from the mixed pool together with the defending champion and the top three desperado squad qualifiers will bowl eight games in Stage 1 finals on July 16.

The top 18 finishers in the Stage 1 finals will advance to Stage 2 joined by the top six seeded qualifiers from the general standings anfor another eight games. The top six will proceed to the stepladder finals.

The Women's Open top three seeded qualifiers, local qualifiers positioned 4 to 7, overseas qualifiers positioned 4 to 10, the nine qualifiers from the mixed pool together with the defending champion will bowl eight games in Stage 1 finals on July 16.

The top 15 finishers in the Stage 1 finals will advance to Stage 2 joined by the top six seeded qualifiers from the general standings anfor another eight games. The top six will proceed to the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.