7th July, Doha: 2021 IBF World Championships Singles silver medallist and two-hander, Tomas Kayhko of Finland topped the H.H. Emir Cup 2022 Step 1 Final to advance to the next step ahead of two Thai finalists.
Mussa M Barshahi of Iran surprised the field of 42 finalists with a scintillating 259 to take the early lead. Thailand's Napat Buspanikonkul also had a great start with 255 to trail in second while Qatar's Mansour Al-Hajri was third with 238.
Kayhko added a stunning 266 to his 236 opening game to quickly move into the lead as Buspanikonkul kept pace with 226 to trail the Finn by 36 pins. Barshshi dropped to third managing only 207 followed by Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand moving up the field.
Buspanikonkul took over the running at the halfway mark after another superb 236 while Kayhko could only downed 195. Larpapharat moved into third with the Iranian fading off.
Step 1 Final leader and winner, Tomas Kayhko of Finland
The 25-year-old Finn was determined regain the lead when he bounced back with 225 in the fourth game. The Thai suffered a 172 setaback to trail Kayhko by 33 pins. Kayhko then stretched his lead to 78 pins after following up with 235 in the fifth game.
The Thai was unable to response managing only 190 to drop behind his compatriot, Supakrti Wantasuk who moved into second with a strong 257. The leader eased off with 179 and remained the leader winning the final with 1336.
Wantasuk ended with 233 to finish second with 1321 while Buspanikonkul settled for third with 1293. Jassem Al-Deyab fired a stunning 278 in his final game to tie fourth position with IBF U21 World Championships Team bronze medallist, Ahmad Abu Al Reesh of Saudi Arabia on 1277.
Mohammed Al-Merekhi of Qatar survived the cut in 20th position for the next final with 1150, averaging 191.67 while his fellow countrymen, Khalid Al-Dossari suffered a poor 151 to miss the cut by 11 pins in 21st position.
The top 20 finishers in this final will be joined by the top 6 seeded qualifiers from the overall standings for an 8-game Step 2 final later today. The top 16 with the highest pinfalls will advance to Step 3 head-to-head knockout finals over two-games total.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Doha, Qatar.
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Saudi leads Squad E first series
Qatari eyeing second title
Thai wins Squad C for overall second spot
Thai bowlers dominate Squad C
Qatari youth tops Squad B
Qatari wins Squad A for early lead
| Back |
• Schedule & Squad
• Prize Structure
• Visa Requirements
• Squad & Hotel Booking
• Oiling Pattern
• Past Winners
• Squad A - Series 2
• Squad B - Series 1
• Squad B - Series 2
• Squad C - Series 1
• Squad C - Series 2
• Squad D - Series 1
• Squad D - Series 2
• Squad E - Series 1
• Squad E - Series 2
• Qualifying Standings
• Final Step 2 (26)
• Final Step 3 (16)
• Final Step 4 (8)
• Final Step 5 (4)
• Final Step 6 (2)
