26th July, Bangkok: Indonesia's Hardy Rachmadian and Malaysia's Sin Li Jane led the opening squad of the first block qualifying rounds of the 47th MWA-Singha Thailand International Open at Blu-O Ryhthm & Bowl Ratchayothin on Wednesday

Ahmad Muaz of Malaysia took an early lead with an opening game of 245 as Squad A took to the lanes at Blu-O Ryhthm & Bowl Ratchayothin for their first block of qualifying. Chinese Taipei's Hung Kun Ki also did well with 238 to take up second spot.

Reigning Hong Kong Open champion, Tun Hakim of Malaysia was quick to take over the running after a superb 258 in the second game after starting with 213. Muaz trailed his compatriot by just 8 pins. Muaz bounced back with 244 to regain the lead after the third game.

But both the Malaysians were overtaken by Rachmadian, who had kept pace with the leading duo in his first 3 games and added 249 in the fourth game for the lead. Although Muaz ended strongly with 247, the Indonesian held on to the lead with 1148.

Muaz settled for second position with 1147, just a single pin off. Defending champion, Annop Arromsaranon of Thailand snatched third spot with 1071 after Tun Hakim ended with 182 for a total of 1057.

In the women's division, four-time Singapore Open champion, Sin Li Jane blazed the lanes with lines of 212, 268, 193, 246 and 223 to lead the pack with 1142. Her compatriot, Esther Cheah, who took over the lead after the third game, settled for second spot with 1030.

Siti Safiyah Amirah made it a top 3 finishing for Malaysia when she took third spot with 1016. Lara Posadas-Wong of Philippines and Nur Syazwani Sahar of Malaysia rounded out the top 5 with 1007 and 970 respectively.

Thirty-six in Squad B will contest their first block of 5 games after lane maintenance at 1.30pm local time. Squad D and Squad C will be staged today at 4.30pm and 7.40pm.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok, Thailand.