9th May, Kuwait: ABF Tour Thailand leg champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia, won his second successive back-to-back tour titles after he defeated local challenger, Fadhel Al-Mousawi 236-222 in the ABF Tour Kuwait leg just concluded at Cozmo Bowling Center.

Disappointed for finishing fourth in the 3rd Kuwait International Open Sunday evening, the 22-year-old Malaysian national kegler was in great form to fend off the challenge from local hopeful, Fadhel Al-Mousawi in the final match to claim his second successive tour title.

The champion had earlier edged Qatar's Khalifa Khaled, 198-186 in the first semifinals to to earn his place in the finals. Zulmazran also sailed through round 1 knocking out Qatar's Saeed Al-Hajri, 258-200 and another Qatari, Bandar Al-Shafi, 237-197 in round 2 to make the semifinals.

This is Zulmazran's fifth tour title after having won the ABT Taipei and Philippines legs and most recently, the ABF Tour Malaysia leg in 2005 and the ABF Tour Thailand leg two weeks ago.

Fadhel settled for second despite knocking out Qatar's Abdulla Al-Qattan, 201-183 in the second semifinal match. The runner-up also became the second bowler in the tour's history to score a perfect game when he ousted compatriot, Rakan Al-Amiri in round 2, 300-240.

ABF Tour next stop will be in Bahrain on the 2nd June 2006. The ABF Tour 2005 comprises 8 Legs and a Grand Final. Top 16 men and 16 women bowlers from the preceding International Open Masters Event (Open Grade) will be qualified and competed in a one-game match play knock-out competition for the individual men's and women's titles.

Highlights of the ABF Tour - Thailand will be televised later on local television stations of the eight countries where the tour is being held. It is also broadcast later from parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, central Asia, China and Australasia with an estimated audience of around 90 million.

For further information and details please contact ABF Tour Committee Marketing and Event Management Division at Tel: (852) 2810 5191; Fax: (852) 28105192; Mr. Ritchie Lai (Mobile: (852) 93598669; email: ritchie.lai@tndgroup.com or Mr. Kelvin Pong (Mobile: (852) 9100 0958; email: Kelvin.pong@tndgroup.com or by visiting ABF Tour official website: www.abftour.com".

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.