29th September, Kuwait: Abdulrahman Al Khelewi of Saudi Arabia, William Svenson of Sweden and Keith Mark of Hong Kong made their way into the top bracket of the qualifying standings at the 14th Kuwait International Open 2023 on Friday.

Al Khelewi, who was seventh overnight, notched up 1145 in Squad 63 to take his tally from 3365 to 3479 and leapfroged up into second position. Leader, Tony Wong of Hong Kong, who almost shot the tournament's second perfect game when he rolled 294 in an earlier squad, remained firmly in the lead with 3603.

Two-handed Svenson, who was heading the second bracket with 3360, also improved his 15-game tally to 3460 to take up third spot. A second Saudi, Ahmad Abulresh rolled the tournament's second 300 in Squad 62 to move into fourth with 3451.

Early leader, Aseel Alroomi of Kuwait was pushed down to fifth with 3444 while Wong's compatriot, Keith Mark inched himself in to sixth position in the top bracket with 3443. Seventh position is reserved for the highest Kuwaiti outside the top 7 while eighth position is reserved for the top Kuwaiti youth qualifier.

Several notable movers were Manueal Otalora of Colombia and two-time Kuwait Open champion (2012 and 2010), Osku Palermaa of Finland sharing 12th with 3403. 2014 Kuwait Open champion, Thomas Larsen of Denmark continued to slip down to 14th with 3375.

The best women qualifier was Juliana Franco of Colombia in 15th spot with 3348 while Hong Kong's Eric Tseng is the cut of the second bracket in 16th position with 3343. Kuwaiti national bowler, Ali Haider headed the third bracket with 3338. Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong shot the third 300 to stay behind Haider with 3331 in 18th position.

The current cut in 28th position went to Ibrahim Al Jadi of Kuwait with 3275, averging 218.33. The qualifiers in the top bracket will earn two byes and automatically advance to Round 3 finals. Qualifiers in the second bracket will earn one bye and contest Round 2 finals.

Qualifiers positioned 17 to 28 including the two highest Kuwaiti qualifiers outside the top 28 and two highest Desperado Squad qualifiers will contest Round 1 finals.