18th December, Seberang Prai: Malaysian national youth, Nur Hazirah Binti Ramli captured her second consecutive title after clinching the Milo Youth Girl's Open Masters crown while local lad, Megat Zaqrul Haiqal claimed the Boy's crown of the 49th Penang Pesta International Bowling Championships.

Fresh from winning the GenZ Girl's crown of the 23rd Storm U22 International Junior All-Stars Bowling Championships two days ago in Kuala Lumpur, the 16-year-old Sarawakian put in another superb performance to win the title with an 8-game total of 1606 pinfalls.

Nur Hazirah started well in the first half but upped her pace in the second to come home victorious despite a hectic two-week of intense competition. Her compatriot and this year's Malaysian Open Women's champion, Lavina Kho Jia Jie finished with 1571, 35 pins behind in second.

Haiffa Hazlan of Wilayah Persekutuan gave Malaysia a clean sweep of the top three positions with 1565 in third. Singapore's best performer was Jean Neo of Trinity Bowling Academy, took up fourth with 1538. Another National youth, Nurul Anis Nabila and Nur Aisyah tied fifth positions with 1530.

Meanwhile, Megat Zaqrul Haiqal of Malaysian National youth squad and Penangnite, triumped in the Boy's division after amassing an 8-game total of 1746. The 20-year-old, who was battling for the lead with Singapore's Peter Khor of Temasek Polytechnic most of the way, ended much stronger for the win.

The Singapore youth settled for second position with 1732, just 14 pins adrift. A second Singaporean, Jeremy Yeo of Bowling Is Science Academy took third spot with 1712. Early pace-setter, Shaqeem Izwan Teh and Muhammad Hariz Adlan completed the top 5 with 1705 and 1692 respectively.

Mr Harry Chai, Director of Penang State Sports Council and Mr Shakir Kinani, President of Iraqi Bowling Federation were on hand to present the trophies, prizes and Milo hampers to the winners. The Senior Masters finals for both the Men and Women divisions will be contested in the afternoon.

The Women's Graded and Men's Grade B Masters finals will be staged later in the evening. The qualifying rounds for the Open division will commence tomorrow and Wednesday. They will bowl two blocks of 6 games each and the top 40 with the highest total will make the cut for the finals on Thursday.