13th February, Doha: Malaysia and Czech Republic took a commanding victory in the Girl's and Boy's Team event of the 14th International Friendship Youth Bowling Championship 2026 while Qurratu'Ain Izdihar won Malaysia's second gold in the Girl's All Events and Talal Al Marri delivered Qatar's first gold in the Boy's All Events.

Viktorie Brokesova, Julie Racova, Zuzana Kvasnickova and Ema Iwazawa of Czech Republic had a superb start with 848 in their opening game to lead Kassandra Denise Yap, Pauline Gayle Sta Ana, Grace Ann Hernandez and Antonnette Garcia of Philippines by nine pins.

Philippines added 844 in their second game to take over the lead with the Czech quartet slipping down to second. Malaysia's Intan Nor Edryana, Natalie Chong Yi Wen, Nur Aleeya Syakirah and Singles bronze medalist, Qurratu'Ain Izdihar followed in third.

Malaysia rolled a splendid 898 in their third game to become the new leader while Philippines and Czech Republic trailed behind in second and third. The Malaysian quartet picked up their pace with three stunning and record-breaking 919, 976 and 888 to seal a comfortable victory with 5311 for their first gold medal.

In the boy's division, Malaysia's Ethan Damien Goh, Muhammad Hafiz Darwisy, Wan Muhammad Zarif Ikram and Muhammad Aiman Syahin had a superb start with 964 in their opening game to lead Japan by 36 pins. Czech Republic's Adam Haxa, Vit Jiriste, David Mojka and Singles gold medalist, Jaroslav Zapletal added 983 to their 909 opener to take over the lead.

Singapore's Brian Ngoi Kai Ren, Aviel Chua Jun Jie, Jayden See and Aiman Lim shot 924 and 965 to take up second spot as Malaysia slipped down to third. Another fine game of 975 from the Czechs allowed them to extend their lead from three pins to 24 pins.

Malaysia bounced back brilliantly with a sizzling 1004 to move up to second as Singapore dropped down to third and Sweden's Kevin Westin, Eskil Lind, Manuel Latrisse and Erik Larsson took up fourth spot.

Czech Republic went on to lead in the next three games to win their second gold medal of the competition with 5662. Malaysia settled for the silver medal with 5543. Singapore and Sweden finished third and fourth positions with 5530 and 5412 respectively to earn a bronze medal each.

Talal Al Marri delivered Qatar's first gold after topping the Boy's All Events standings after 18 games with 4287. Jaroslav Zapletal of Czech Republic took the silver with 4249. Jayden See of Singapore and Adam Haxa of Czech Republic finished third and fourth for a bronze medal each.

Team gold and Singles brzone medalist, Qurratu'Ain Izdihar won her second gold medal by topping the Girl's All Events standings with 3838. Elin Bergqvist of Sweden clinched the silver with 3812. Lim Shi En of Singapore and Mio Nakashio of Japan took home a bronze medal each.

The top 12 along with 32 athletes from the Boy's All Events standings and the top 8 along with 12 athletes from the Girl's All Events standing qualified for the Masters Stage 1 finals. They will bowl six games with half of their All Events total pinfalls carried forward.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Doha, Qatar

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