16th September, Doha: Remy Ong of Singapore defeated top-seed Nick Froggat of England 455-388 in the Men's final stepladder match to capture the 5th Qatar International Open title while Denmark's Britt Bronsted took the Women's title.

The Busan Asian Games triple Gold medalist easily took the first game, 230-175 and edged his opponent and top-seed, Nick Froggatt, 225-213 in the second game to win 2-0 to pocket the top prize of US$40,000.

The 26-year-old Proshop owner, who completed the 8-games Top 16 roll-off in fourth position, had earlier defeated winner of the second-seed and fifth-seed match Mario Quintero of Mexico over two games to win 2-0 with scores of 259, 248 against the Mexican's 237, 173.

Ong increased his chances at a shot of the title when he had earlier edged third-seed and Singapore Open champion, Tim Mack, 2-0 with scores of 241, 255 against the American's 225, 232. Ong became the second Asian to win the prestigious Qatar Open title after Ivan Tan of Malaysia won it in 1996.

Froggatt settled for 1st runner-up winning US$18,000 while Quintero finished 2nd runner-up and US$10,000. Mack finished fourth after defeating Lasse Lintila, 2-0 with scores of 226, 257 against Finn's 203, 210 in the loosers' playoff to take home US$5,000. Lintila settled for fifth position and US$4,000.

In the women's division, Denmark's Britt Bronsted outshone felllow-countrywoman and winner of the third and fourth seeds playoff, Kamilla Kjeldsen, 2-0 with scores of 216, 247 against the Kjeldsen's 179, 195 to capture the title and the US$3,500 top prize.

The champion had earlier ousted fourth-seed Alicai Marcano of Venezuela, 2-0 with scores of 257, 275 against Marcano's 203, 213 before facing Kjeldsen. Despite edging Singapore's Evelyn Chan in the third and fourth seeds playoff 2-1, the 1st runner-up settled for US$2,500.

Marcano eventually finished 2nd runner-up after edging Evelyn Chan in the loosers' playoff match 2-1 while Chan settled for 3rd runner-up in the women's division.

No scores for the Top 16 8-games roll-off were provided by the organizers nor were the scores posted at their website. As soon as the scores are available, it will be posted here.

Photos courtesy of Mr Murali, Asian Bowling Digest.

15th September, Doha: Finn, Lasse Lintila led the top 36 qualifiers of the 5th Qatar International Open in the semifinals of 12 games at Qatar International Bowling Center while fellow-countryman, Kimmo Lethonen topped positions 37-48 semifinals.

The 2004 World Tenpin Masters quarter finalist from Finland amassed a total of 2780 over the 12-games semifinals to lead the top 16 making the cut for tomorrow's finals. The Finn was only 5 pins ahead of England's Nick Froggatt, who finished second with a score of 2775 and a further one away came American Michael Mullin on 2774.

2004 Singapore Open champion, Tim Mack of USA stayed close with the leaders and just 3 pins behind Mullin and 9 pins from the leader in fourth position with 2771. Top qualifier and South Pacific Classic champion, Jason Belmonte of Australia finished fifth with 2678.

Mario Quintero (MEX-2662), Remy Ong (SIN-2652), Mikael Kanold (SWE-2651), Ahmed Shaheen (QAT-2645) and Hamad Mohd Al-Majidi (UAE-2641) completed the top 10 from sixth to tenth respectively.

The remaining six semifinalists making the cut for the finals were Holiman Al-Hameli (UAE-2598), Tore Torgersen (NOR-2594), Abdulla Al-Qattan (QAT-2594), Mubarak Al-Muraikhi (QAT-2591), Andres Gomez (COL-2591) and Robert Andersson (SWE-2586).

Another Finn, Kimmo Lethenon led positions 37-48 qualifiers and the top 12 semifinals with a total score of 2841 ahead of Michael Rose of the USA in second, who had 2668 total. Mexico's Arturo Quintero finished third with 2635 followed by Badr Al-Shaikh of Saudi Arabia and Tom Hahl of Finland in fourth and fifth positions with 2591 and 2535 respectively.

The only women making the top 36 semifinals, Britt Bronsted of Denmark did not progress any further after finishing 28th with 2477. Her consolation was fininshing top-seed before the stepladder finals tomorrow. Last year's Singapore Open champion, Evelyn Chan finished second ahead of Denamrk's Kamilla Kjeldsen in third and Alicia Marcano of Venezuela in fourth.

The top 16 with scores carried forward, will bowl a further 8 games in the finals to determine the top 5 for the 3 games knock-out stepladder grand finals. For detailed scores, please visit www.qatarbowling.org.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.

14th September, Doha: Newly-crowned Singapore Open champion, Tim Mack of USA, stormed into second after scoring the first 800-mark series of the 5th Qtar International Open as the top 32 confirmed their places in the semifinals when qualifying ended after Squad 36.

The globe-trotting ex-PBA American from Garfield in New Jersey, USA registered the first 800-mark 3-game series topping Squad 34 with lines of 279, 256 and 266 for an 801 series to move himself up to second from 20th position overnight on a total of 2213. South Pacific Classic champion, Jason Belmonte, who also led Squad 35 with 740 series, continued to occupy pole position stretching his total of 2232 while Jussi Turtiainen of Finland took up third spot just one pin behind Mack, on 2212.

Yesterday's double squads leader, Remy Ong of Singapore dropped to fourth with 2186 with reigning World Tenpin Masters champion, Tore Torgersen of Norway in fifth with 2172 folowed by Sturat Williams of England in sixth spot, a further one pin on 2171.

Best of the Middle East bowlers was Hamad Mohammed Al-Majidi of UAE in seventh on 2168 while Qatar's national squad member, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi came in eighth with 2167. Emir Cup champion, Abdulla Al-Qattan of Qatar and current Asian Ranked No. 1, Ahmed Shaheen rounded up the top 10 in ninth and tenth positions with 2152 ans 2146 respectively.

Foreign bowlers joining in the top 32 qualifiers were Rober Spigner (USA-12th), Andrew Frawley (AUS-13th), Lasse Lintila (FIN-13th), Andres Gomez (COL-14th), Tobias Karlsson (SWE-17th), Mikael Kanold (SWE-20th), Martin Larsen (SWE-21st), Mario Quintero (MEX-22nd), Robert Anderssen (SWE-23rd), Nick Froggat (ENG-24th), Michael Mullin (USA-28th).

Middle East bowlers challenging the overseas qualifiers were Fahad Al-Emadi (QAT-15th), Mohammed Jamal (QAT-16th), Khalifa Salem (QAT-18th), Naif Oqad (UAE-19th), Shaker Al-Hassan (UAE-26th), Yousef Al-Jaber (QAT-27th), Holiman Al-Hameli (UAE-29th), Fadhel Mehdi Al-Mousawi (KUW-30th), Khalifa K AlKubaisi (QAT-31st) and the last spot to Aziz Jaffar Hussain (BAH-32nd).

Continuing to top the women's division was Britt Bronsted of Denmark, who finished third to Tim Mack in Squad 34 with 716, improved from 40th to 25th overall with 2111 ahead of fellow-countrywoman, Kamilla Kjeldsen sharing with last year's Singapore Open champion, Evelyn Chan in third spot with 2003.

The top 32 plus 4 local qualifiers will play two blocks of 6 games each while positions 37 to 48 qualifiers will also bowl two blocks of 6 games each in the semifinals. At the end of the semifinals, the top 16 with scores carried forward, will bowl a further 8 games in the finals to determine the top 4 for the 3 games knock-out stepladder grand finals. For detailed scores, please visit www.qatarbowling.org.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.

13th September, Doha: Busan Asian Games triple Gold medalist, Remy Ong of Singapore topped Squads 28 and 29 to move into second spot in the qualifying table of the 5th Qatar International Open behind leader, Jason Belmonte of Australia.

The 26-year-old Proshop owner, was on a roll when he claimed the highest series of Squad 28 with 719 on lines of 238, 257 and 224. Ong went on to knock down three identical games of 258 for a total of 774 to top Squad 29. His three series of 774, 719 and 693 gave him a total of 2186 to move up to second overall in the qualifying table with one more day left for the qualifying rounds.

Overnight leader and Australia's AMF World Cup representative, Jason Belmonte continued to lead the pack with 2190, just four pins ahead of the Singaporean. England's Stuart Williams also improved from 12th position to third overall with 2171 relegating UAE's Hamad Mohammed Al-Majidi to fourth on 2168. Emir Cup champion, Abdulla Al-Qattan, who led Squad 25 with 709 finished fifth with 2152.

Scores were beginning to soar as bowlers scrambled to make the top 32 qualifiers for the finals. Australia's Andrew Frawley dropped from third to sixth position on 2145 ahead of American Robert Spigner and Finland's Lasse Lintila, jumping 12 places from 20th, shared seventh position with 2137. Fahad Al-Emadi, scorer of the highest game of 299 so far, and Jussi Turtiainen tied in ninth place with 2134.

Other squad leaders, Robert Andersson of Sweden (Squad 31) is 15th with 2114, Yousef Al-Jaber of Qatar (Squad 27) is 19th with 2108 and Mikael Kanold of Sweden (Squad 32) is 13th with 2124.

Britt Bronsted of Denmark continued to lead the women's division with 2023 ahead of Alicia Marcano of Venezuela in second with 1998 while last year's Singapore Open champion, Evelyn Chan of Singapore is third with 1970.

Qualifying will end tomorrow with Squad 36 when the top 32 will make the cut for the semifinals. The top 16 at the end of the semifinals will proceed to the finals. The top 3 will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine the champion. For detailed scores, please visit www.qatarbowling.org.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.

12th September, Doha: Singapore Open third runner-up, Jason Belmonte of Australia, took over the lead from yesterday's Squad 23 and almost scored a perfect game in the qualifying rounds of the 5th Qatar International Open at Qatar International Bowling Center.

Like Fahad Al-Emadi and Shaker Al-Hassan, Belmonte missed the 300 and ended up with 279 but won the highest series award of the squad with 765.

The 22-year-old from Orange in News South Wales also collected the highest series award of Squad 21 with 727. The newly-crowned South Pacific Classic champion amassed a total of 2190 from his three best series to top the overall qualifying table. Hamad Mohammed Al-Majidi of UAE dropped to second in the table, 22 pins adrift on 2168 while another Australia, Andrew Frawley finished third with 2145. Qatar's Abdullah Al-Qattan took fourth spot with 2137 ahead of early leader, Fahad Al-Emadi in fifth with 2134.

The star-studded field included Stuart Williams from England (12th-2087), Martin Larsen from Sweden (13th-2083), reigning World Tenpin Masters

champion, Tore Torgersen of Norway (14th-2077), Lasse Lintila of Finland (20th-2058), Mario Quintero of Mexico (21st-2053), Robert Spigner of USA (22nd-2048), World Championship Gold medalist, Anders Ohman of Sweden (23rd-2031), Nick Froggatt of England (26th-2025) and newly-crowned Singapore Open champion, Tim Mack of USA (27th-2024).

Tom Hahl of Finland took the 32nd position with 12 more squads to go before the finals. Other foreign bowlers yet to qualify are Jason Walsh (AUS-37th), Michael Mullin (USA-38th), World Youth Gold medalist, Mikael Kanold (SWE-42nd), Busan Games triple Gold medalist, Remy Ong (SIN-44th), Arturo Quintero (MEX-50th), Kimmo Lehtonen (FIN-51st), defending champion, Kritchawat J. (THA-62nd) and Andres Gomez (COL-112nd).

Britt Bronsted of Denmark heads the women's division with 2005 (33rd overall) with Alicia Marcano of Venezuela with 1972 (45th overall) while Linda Haglund of Sweden took third spot with 1939 (56th overall).

Qualifying continues until Squad 36 on Tuesday, 14th September when the top 32 will make the cut for the semifinals. The top 16 at the end of the

semifinals will proceed to the finals. The top 3 will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine the champion. For detailed scores, please visit www.qatarbowling.org.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation and MTBC.

11th September, Doha: Singapore Open third runner-up, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar claimed the highest series of Squad 19 in the qualifying rounds of the 5th Qatar International Open at Qatar International Bowling Center to slot into 12th overall.

Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar, recorded the highest series with 739 in Squad 19 on lines of 279, 245 amd 215 to slot into 12th position with a total of 2062 fresh from finishing 3rd runner-up in the Singapore Open two days ago.

Nick Froggatt of England also improved from 83rd position to 17th after finishing second to Mubarak in the same squad with a 734 series and a total of 2021. Robert Spigner of USA claimed the third highest series with 713 placing him 15th overall in the qualifying table on 2044.

Hamad Mohammed Al-Majidi of UAE shot a superb 740 series in Squad 17 giving him a total of 2168 to take over pole position in the overall qualifying table. Australia's Andrew Frawley was second in the same squad with 742 to add to his second series of 709 for 103rd position in the table with a third series yet to play.

England's Stuart Williams, who claimed the highest series of Squad 16 with 756 on lines of 239, 249 and 268, also took the highest series award in Squad 17 with 744, slotting him into seventh overall. Defending champion, Tim Mack of the USA finished second in Squad 16 with 715 following up on his superb form to capture the 37th Singapore Open two days ago.

Early leader, Fahad Al-Emadi of Qatar dropped to second overall behind Hamad Mohammed Al-Majidi of UAE, on 2134 followed two Qataris, Khalifa Salem in third with 2128 and Abdulla Al-Qattan in fourth with 2123. Naif Oqab of UAE took fifth spot with 2102 ahead of fellow-countryman and reigning World Ranking Masters champion, Mohammad Khalifa Al-Qubaisi in sixth position with 2089.

World Tenpin Masters champion, Tore Torgerson shared eighth spot with UAE's Shaker Al-Hassan on 2077 while Sinai International Open champion and current Asian Ranked No. 1, Ahmed Shaheen completed the top 10 in tenth with 2076.

Qualifying continues until Squad 36 on Tuesday, 14th September when the top 32 will make the cut for the semifinals. The top 16 at the end of the semifinals will proceed to the finals. The top 3 will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine the champion. For detailed scores, please visit www.qatarbowling.org.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation and Sidney Tung, MTBC.

10th September, Doha: 2004 World Tenpin Masters Champion, Tore Torgerson of Norway topped Squad 12 in the qualifying rounds of the 5th Qatar International Open at Qatar International Bowling Center to move up to fourth overall in the leaderboard.

Torgerson, who captured World Tenpin Masters title for the third time in April this year, had earlier topped Squad 13 with 245, 253 and 206 for a 704 series and 2077 total to move up from 58th to foutth overall behind current leader, Fahad Al-Emadi of Qatar.

In the Squad 14, all 32 AMF lanes will be used as the tournament starts to heat up with top bowlers arriving from different parts of the world. England's Stuart Williams and Nick Froggatt along with Kuwait's 15 players were the new participants in the tournament.

Holiman Al-Hameli of UAE scored the highest series of the squad with 711 on lines of 218, 226 and 267 moving him up from 39th to 20th in the overall qualifying table on a total of 1937.

Reigning World Ranking Masters champion, Mohammad Khalifa Al-Qubaisi of UAE finished second with 690, improving from 18th to 14th in the table with a three series total of 1989.

Emir Cup champion, Abdulla Al-Qattan of Qatar topped Squad 15 with lines of 226, 246 and 259 for the high series of 731 moving him up one spot from fourth to third behind leader Fahad Al-Emadi and second-placed Khalifa Salem. Fadhel Mehdi Al-Mousawi of Kuwait finished second in the same squad with 700 to take up 31st position in the overall table.

The Swedish team is also expected to arrive today to participate in the 2004 tournament, so is Tim Mack, who has recently won the 37th Singapore International Open.

Qualifying continues until Squad 36 on Tuesday, 14th September when the top 32 will make the cut for the semifinals. The top 16 at the end of the semifinals will proceed to the finals. The top 3 will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine the champion. For detailed scores, please visit www.qatarbowling.org.

Photos courtesy of Lawrence Lustig and Kubasov Vladimir, www.Bowlclub.ru.

9th September, Doha: Qatar's Khalifa Salem Al-Khalifa topped Squad 12 in the qualifying rounds of the 5th Qatar International Open at Qatar International Bowling Center to move up to second behind Fahad Al-Emadi of Qatar and ahead of Shaker Ali Al-Hassan of UAE in third.

Khalifa Salem led Squad 12 on the fourth day with 742 series to bring his total to 2128 for second, just 6 pins behind overall leader, Fahad Al-Emadi.

The Qatar youth continued to lead the pack after he bagged the highest game award with 299 in his first game during his qualifying rouds yesterday. UAE's Shaker Ali Al-Hassan, who had 9 consecutive strikes in his third attempt but ended up with 274, took third spot behind Khalifa on 2072.

In Suqad 11 earlier, 2004 World Ranking Masters champion, Tore Torgersen of Norway was leading after the first two games with 260 and 245 but ended with only 700 series to finish 58th overall with one series yet to play. Last year's champion, Kritchawat J. of Thailand only manage 1872 from his three series for 27th position.

Sweden's pride, Linda Haglund led not only in the ladies category, but also led in the first game of the 10th Squad. She eventually ended the series with 654 to finish 60th with one more series to go. Linda is no stranger to the Qatar International Tournament. She has been a regular participant where she also finished second in the last year's event.

Qualifying continues through to 14th September when the top 32 will make the cut for the semifinals on the 15th September. The top 16 at the end of the semifinals will proceed to the finals. The top 3 will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine the champion. For detailed scores, please visit www.qatarbowling.org.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.

8th September, Doha: Qatar youth, Fahad Al-Emadi scored the highest series of the day en-route to taking the lead in the qualifying rounds of the 5th Qatar International Open at Qatar International Bowling Center.

The Qatar national youth team member bagged the highest series of the day prize of US$250 after he strung together 11 consecutive strikes only to knock down 9 pins in his final throw to score 299 in his first game of a 3-game third series. Fahad followed up with a 266 and 213 in his final game for a 3-game score 778 and a total 3-series total of 2105 to take the lead in the qualifying leaderboard.

This year's Emir Cup champion, Abdulla Al-Qattan of Qatar had 712, 680 and 673 for a total of 2065 to finished second while Mohammed Jamal of Qatar took third spot with 2059.

United Arab Emirate's Hamad Mohammed Al-Majidi and Asian Championship Gold medalist, Shaker Al-Hassan rouded up the top 5 in fourth and fifth positions with 2049 and 2029 respectively.

Ibrahim Sheldan of Palestine, who took the highest game on the first day qualifying round, finished 13th.

Qatar's top bowler, Ahamd Shaheen Al-Muraikhi has to put up superb performance if he was to capture the elusive title. So far no national player has ever won the Qatar Iternational Open in its history. The closest was Saeed Al-Hajeri last year when he was defeated in the finals by Thailand's Kritchawat J.

Some of the top bowlers from Europe are expected to compete in this year's tournament including ex-PBA Tim Mack of the USA. Qualifying continues through to 14th September when the top 32 will make the cut for the semifinals on the 15th September.

The top 16 at the end of the semifinals will proceed to the finals. The top 3 will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine the champion. For detailed scores, please visit www.qatarbowling.org.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.