5th November, Doha: Valentin Saulnier of Canada stole the qualifying rounds limelight of the H.H. Amir Cup 2025 to leapfrog into second position in the standings while Canadian youth, Mathis Blanchette rolled a perfect game to join his compatriot in fifth.

Saulnier got off to a cracking start in Squad 26 with an opening game of 279. The Canadian then added 270 in his second game before wrapping up with 239 for a sizzling 788 series, which earned him the Day 7 High Series Award of US200. Saulnier had two other 3-games series of 696 and 714 to take up second in the standings with 2198.

2023 Kuwait Open champion and pole seater, Pontus Andersson of Sweden remained unchallenged on 2259. The top Qatari qualifier in third position went to Day 3 High Series Award winner, Ghanim M Aboujassoum with 2193.

Day 2 High Series Award winner, Mostafa Almousawi of Kuwait dropped to fourth with 2192. Canadian youth, Mathis Blanchette, who rolled a perfect game in Squad 30, also moved into the top bracket in fifth with 2191. Day 5 High Series Award winner, Soliman Alshuaibi of Kuwait finished sixth with 2177.

Masaed Al Muraikhi of Qatar slipped out into ninth to head qualifiers positioned 9 to 32 with 2169. The current cut in 32nd position went to Ali Al Rashdi of UAE with 2079, or 279 over. Last year's cut in 28th position was 2121. With two more squads tonight and five more in tomorrow's last day of qualifying, the cut could well reach the 300-over mark.

The top 2 highest qualifiers (positioned 33 to 34) from the first two days of competition will make the cut for Step 1 finals. The top 2 highest Qatari youths (positioned 35 to 36) will join in Step 1 finals as well. The top 2 highest Qataris (positioned 37 to 38) and the top 2 from Desperado squad (positioned 39 to 40) will make up the 32 qualifiers.

Qualifying will continue for another three days, up to November 6. The top 3 youths will advance to the stepladder finals after which Step 1 finals will be held on November 7. The top 16 with the highest pinfalls after 8 games will advance to Step 3 finals joined by the eight seeded qualifier for another 8 game.

The top 5 finishers will proceed to the Stepladder knockout shootout to determine this year's champion and taking home the top prize of US$25,000 plus a trophy.