14th December, Doha: Top seed, Christopher Sloan of Ireland captured the H.H. Amir Cup Bowling Championships 2024 title after narrowly defeated challenger and second-seed, Nathan Ruest-Lajoie of Canada, 204-202 in the Step 5 title match.

Sloan had an early single-pin miss in the second frame in the title match against Ruest-Lajoie. The Canadian doubled in the second and third frame to take a 10-pin lead. But the Irishmen recovered with a double in the third and fourth frame to draw level.

Ruest-Lajoie down three strikes-in-a-row in the fifth, sixth and seventh frames to pull away for a 29 pin lead but stumbled to an eight split in the eighth frame, which he failed to make the spare allowing Sloan to narrow the gap to just 18 pins.

The 30-year-old Sloan struck twice in the ninth and tenth frames forcing the Canadian to make a costly single pin miss in his ninth frame. Sloan marked his last two shot to end with 204 and this opponent could not double in the tenth frame going down to Sloan with 202 to hand the title to the top seed.

Sloan pocketed the top prize of US$25,000 as champion while the Canadian settled for US$16,000. Hakim took home US$12,000 as second runner-up. Barrett and Al-Muraikhi earned US$8,000 and US$6,000 respectively as third ans fourth runners-up.

The champion had earlier topped the 8-game Step 2 finals with 1883 adding the tournament's fourth perfect game followed by Ruest-Lajoie in second with 1859. Hakim took third spot with 1847 after a late charge in his lest three games. Al-Muraikhi and Barrett made the cut for Step 3 finals in fourth and fifth positions with 1820 and 1811.

Newcomer, Noel Haglund Torgersen of Sweden missed the cut by 13 pins after finishing sixth with 1798. Defending champion and top qualifier, Tomas Kayhko of Finland ended up in eighth with 1789 behind Mostafa Almousawi of Kuwait in seventh with 1794.

Former Presidents of Qatar Bowling Federation accompanied by current President, Mr Abdullah Al-Qattan gave away the prizes to the winners. They also joined in celebrating Qatar International Bowling Center's 40th anniversary celebrations.