2nd February, Kuwait: Hong Kong and Korea shared the final day glory as Michael Mak of Hong Kong beat team-mate Eric Tseng and Kim Hyun Mi of Korea beat team-mate Baek Seung Ja to win the Boy's and Girl's Masters gold medals.

Singles gold medalist and No. 2 seed, Shin Seung Hyeon of Korea was denied a chance to win his second gold medal when he was outclassed by No. 3 seed, Eric Tseng, 189-268 in the first stepladder match to settle for the bronze medal.

In the all-Hong Kong finals between top seed, Michael Mak and Tseng, the latter took the first match 227-224 for just a 3-pin advantage in the two-game total pinfalls encounter. But the overnight leader, Mak prevailed with a 434-429 victory over his challenger winning the second match, 210-202.

"I didn't have a good start in today's second block but managed to crawl my way back," said the 15-year-old wonder kid, Michael Mak

when interviewed. "After leading for so long and giving up the lead to Shin, I had to work extra hard to try and beat him in the position round to finish as top seed.

"I'm glad I did it and it was important to advance into the stepladder finals as top seed. I was very relaxed in the match against my team-mate although Eric is more experience than me. I just make sure I didn't make the same mistake as I did in the first match.

In the earlier 7-game round-robin matchplay finals, Shin had snatched the lead after becoming the sixth bowler to shoot a perfect game in the 15th match and for a 39 pin advantage over Mak. But in the position round match, Mak was more composed than the Korean to win 214-166 to take top spot.

Mak's victory gave Hong Kong their third gold of the competition which saw them emerging as overall boy's champion with a medal haul of 3-3-1.

Meanwhile, the stepladder finals of the Girl's division was an all-Korean affair. Top seed, Kim Hyun Mi took the gold medal after she beat challenger and No. 3 seed, Baek Seung Ja, 494-428 over two matches.

Baek, who thrashed team-mate and No. 2 seed, Lee Yeon Ji, 279-223 in the first match, settled for the silver medal while Lee gave Korea a clean sweep of the Girl's Masters event with the bronze medal.

"Since this is my last youth tournament, winning the gold medal is especially sweet," said the 22-year-old Kim Hyun Mi. "I'm also very happy to help my country to emerge as the overall champion."

"Although I had a good chance to win my second gold, Kim was simply too good today," said silver medalist, Baek Seung Ja, who finished fourth at last year's AMF World Cup in Malaysia. "We're just so happy to win all the three medals in this event."

Hong Kong's Milki Ng missed the cut for the stepladder finals by a distant 89 pins to finish fourth during the earlier second block Masters finals over the long oil pattern. Singapore emerged as overall girl's champion with 3 gold medals.

Korea ended a superb outing with a medal haul of 3-3-4 to emerge as the overall champion. Hong Kong went home with their best-ever Asian Youth championship with 3-3-1 while Singapore finished third. The only other gold medal was won by Malaysia in the Boy's Team event.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

1st February, Kuwait: Hong Kong's wonder kid, Michael Mak won all his eight Round-robin matches en-route to leading the Boy's first block Masters finals of the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship at Cozmo Bowl on Monday afternoon.

Two gold medalist, Michael Mak got off the blocks moderately to beat team-mate, Eric Tseng 237-183 to earn the 10 points awarded for a win but found himself in mid-table of the 16-men field after Singapore's Benjamin Lim fired a highest opening match of 258.

Lim's lead was reduced to just 1 pin as Korea's Hong Hae Sol made his bid with back-to-back 247s. Mak triumphed in his second and third matches to take over the running followed by another Korean, Park Jong Woo closely behind.

The Hong Kong kid then quickened his pace with a scintilating series of matches of 276, 277, 258, 278 and 276 to romp home a comfortable and convincing lead with 2178. Singles gold medalist, Shin Seung

Hyeon had tried to keep pace but ended the block 136 pins adrift in second.

Hong finished third behind his team-mate with 1991 a further 51 pins away while Team gold medalist, Aris Ardila of Malaysia, who had a poor first half recovered with two high games to snatch fourth spot with 1945.

"Maybe I was too relaxed in my first two matches but I was lucky to have won them," said the 15-year-old Michael Mak, who looked set to win his third gold medal after his ashtonishing performance today.

"I was a bit disappointed yesterday for not winning the Team gold medal when we had the chance but winning the All Events gold more or less made up for it. I'm determine not to let this one (Masters) go away.

Eric Tseng, who was trailing Mak in second at the halfway mark, dropped off his pace and slipped down to fifth position with 1907 followed by Park Jong Woo completing the top 6 with 1855.

The boys will resume with their second block in the afternoon after the girls complete theirs in the morning. The top 3 girls and top 3 boys will advance to the stepladder finals for the last two gold medals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

1st February, Kuwait: After failing to win any gold medals in the Doubles and Team events, Kim Hyn Mi and Lee Yeon Ji dominated the first block Girl's Masters finals with a 1-2 finish for Korea at the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship in Monday.

Malaysia's Hee Kar Yen set the pace with a superb 276 to win her first match against Rebecca Whitting of Australia to lead Girl's All Events silver medalist, Misaki Mukotani by 18 pins in the first block Round-Robin matchplay finals over short oil pattern.

The petite Malaysian was able to maintain a similar margin over the Japanese after winning her second match with 216 but a disasterous 168 in the third match sent her tumbling down the field as Korea's Kim Hyun Mi took over the running.

Kim won her fourth match with 248 following three earlier wins of 249, 267 and 269 which signaled a return to winning form for the Koreans. Korea had started the competition by sweeping the Singles gold medals but failed to make any impressions in their next two events.

Although Misaki led briefly for one match in the sixth game, it was obvious that the Koreans were in total control. Kim ended the first block with six wins for a total of 2079 plus bonus of 60 pins.

Lee Yon Ji finished stronger than the Japanese to snatch second spot with 1967, albeit 112 pins behind her compatriot. Misaki suffered a poor 158 in her last match to settle for third spot with 1898.

"Although I lost two matches, I was still able to keep a consistent scoreline of 236 in both matches," said the 22-year-old Kim Hyun Mi, who will be competiting in her last youth championship.

"I'm happy with my consistency and performance today and I hope that I can continue my form in the long oil tomorrow.

Another Korean, Kim Yon Ju took fourth spot with 1892 ahead of two

gold medalist and Singapore's best performer, New Hui Fen in fifth with 1857. Doubles bronze medalist, Hurul Ainul rounded up the top 6 with 1835.

The boys will contest their first block later today and the girls will resume with their second block tomorrow. The top 3 girls and top 3 boys will advance to the stepladder finals for the last two gold medals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

31st January, Kuwait: First block leader, Malaysia survived an onslaught from their opponents in the second block to strike their first gold medal in the Boy's Team event at the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship on Sunday evening.

After seeing their counterpart unable to win a medal in the Girl's Team event missing the podium in fourth, the Malaysian boys were under hugh pressure to deliver a medal especially after topping the first block yesterday.

Aris Ardilla, Khoo Beng Khai, Johnathan Chan and anchorman, Syimir Abdul Razak underlined Malaysia's speciality in the team event with a superb 915 in the opening game to remain in front despite Hong Kong chalking up an even higher 992 to take up second, 30 pins adrift.

Hong Kong increased their pressure on the leader with another sizzling 971 to take over the lead as the Malaysian quartet downed a creditable 890 to stay in contention and trailed by 51 pins leaving Korea, Singapore and host nation Kuwait fitting over the minor places.

With so much at stake, it was pretty apparent the Hong Kong's Michael Mak, Rickle Kam, Michael Tsang and Eric Tseng felt the pressure mounting as the Malaysians went on a strikefest in the final game.

Next to them was Kuwait, who had the local Kuwaiti crowd almost bringing down the roof with their cheering. Hong Kong managed only 790 while Malaysia ended the block with 896 to seal the victory with 5314.

Hong Kong settled for the silver medal with 5259 while Kuwait shot the highest one-game score of 978 to snatch the bronze medal with 5211. Korea and overnight second-placed Singapore fell by the wayside to finish fourth and fifth with 5189 and 5097.

Michael Mak shot the highest 3-games series of 764 in the second block to win the Boy's All-Events gold medal with 4245 and team-mate, Eric Tseng posted the second highest series of 752 to win the All-Events silver medal with 4160.

Syimir Abdul Razak of Malaysia chalked up 748 to snatch the bronze medal with 4137 from Singles Gold medalist, Shin Seung Hyeon of Korea, who ended up in fourth.

"I missed out in the Singles in the short oil pattern which I'm strong in and today I bowled well to help my team win the gold," said the youngest member of the team and anchorman, Syimir, who shot the highest 6-game score of 1444 in the team event.

"So I'm thrilled to win the gold medal in my first major outing for my country. But this is not just my effort alone. The whole team was bowling well."

"I had a bad game in the fifth but I was so lucky to have Johnathan and Syimir covering us with their high game," said Aris Ardilla, who won the Doubles bronze medal with Khoo Beng Khai two days ago.

"We sent a relatively young team here to bowl against some of the best youths in Asia and they really justify our selection committee's decision," said MTBC high performance manager, Cheah Ban Cheng. "They also demonstrated that they can witstand the tremendous pressure placed on them.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

28th January, Kuwait: With 313 pins adrift overnight leader Japan, Singapore defied all odds by smashing three records en-route to winning the Girl's Team gold medal of the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship on Sunday.

After a disappointing first block of 3 games bowled on Saturday in which Bernice Lim, Gina Lim, Krishna Darshini and New Hui Fen only managed 2373 total to finish fifth, the girls turned in a scintilating performance in today's second block.

The quartet blitzed the lanes to fire 960 breaking the one-game record of 918 set by the Koreans in the first block to reduce the gap to 177 pins from pace-setter, Japan and 142 pins from second-placed Korea.

Bernice was on a roll firing 287 following her 269 fourth game while Gina shot 225, Krishna 215 and anchorwomen, Hui Fen 258 to give the team another record breaking 985 fifth game.

Their spirited team effort placed them in contention for the gold by reducing the gap to 53 pins from Japan and 46 pins from second-placed Korea. It was apparent that pressure was mounting on the Japanese and Korean team as they had numerous open frames each while Singapore was on another fine run in the final game.

The Singapore quartet ended the event with a moderate 832 game while both Japan and Korea suffered major setbacks to finish with 778 and 746, handing the title and the gold medal to the Singaporeans.

Singapore won their second gold medal with 5150 team total, erasing the 1999 record of 5136 set by Malaysia. The champion also set a new 3-game series of 2777 in the second block to smash the old record of 2574 set in 1999.

Bernice Lim, who trailed overnight leader, Misaki Mukotani of Japan in the All Events standings, shot 782 in today's team second block to win Singapore's third gold medal with 4242, which also broke the record of 3766 set by Maxim Nable of Australia in 1999.

"It's simply fantastic the way the team bowled today and I'm glad my effort helped the team to win the gold," said Bernice Lim, who won her third gold medal of the championship. "And to add another gold with the All Events is even more rewarding."

"It's not easy to be the anchorwomen in the team event, but I'm glad Bernice bowled well to help us all," said New Hui Fen, who won her second gold after partnering Bernice to win the Doubles gold medal two days ago.

"It's truly a team effort today and it goes to demonstrate our spirit of "Singapore Can Do", said national head coach, William Woo. "I could sense that after the two amazing games in the fourth and fifth, the team were completely at ease in the third and final game.

First block leader, Rina Asada, Yuri Sato, Mika Yamada and Misaki Mukotani missed the golden opportunity to take thier first gold and had to settle for the silver medal with 5142, just 8 pins from Singapore.

Korea took the bronze medal with 5117 while Malaysia finished fourth with 5085 despite shooting the highest sixth game of 906. Australia, who was third overnight, slipped down to fifth with 4997.

But Australia took back a consolation when Rebecca Whitting shot the championship's fifth perfect 300 in the final game. Misaki also settled for the silver medal in the All-Events with Baek Seung Ja clinching the bronze medal.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

30th January, Kuwait: Team event specialists, Japan and Malaysia topped the Girl's and Boy's first block of the Team of Four event of the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship at Cozmo Bowl on Saturday.

Competition resumed on Saturday morning as eight teams took to the lanes at Cozmo Bowl which saw Japan's Rina Asada, Yuri Sato, Mika Yamada and anchored by second perfect gamer, Misaki Mukotani setting a blistering pace with 895 to take a slender lead of 8 pins over strong contender, Korea.

Japan continued their strong pace to roll another superb 890 in the second game to stretch their lead ahead of Malaysia moving into contention. Baek Seung Ja, Kim Hyun Mi, Kim Yeon Ju and Lee Yeon Ji slipped down to third after a poor 799.

The Japanese foursome proved a handful for their opponents as they ended the first block in the lead with 901 which just missed the 1999

one-game record of 902. Japan's total of 2686 did break the three-game record of 2574 set by Malaysia in 1999.

Korea recovered with 871 to haul themselves back into second with 2557 while Australia's Lexi Nicoll, Jacinta Gilliland, Emily Robertson and Rebecca Whitting pipped Malaysia for third spot with 2489.

Meanwhile team event specialist, Malaysia demonstrated their prowess after Aris Ardilla, Khoo Beng Khai, Johnathan Chan and Syimir Abdul Razak posted a team total of 2613 to lead the Boy's Team of Four first block.

The Malaysians got off to a superb start knocking down 896 with Hong Kong and Singapore tieing in second with 847. The leader rolled 857 but saw their 49-pin lead reduced to 11 pins after Japan fired a sizzling 916 in the second game.

But the Japanese only managed a lowly 808 in their last game to slip down to third with 2550 as Malaysia shot another strong 860 in their third game. Singapore posted the highest third game of 913 to snatch second spot with a total of 2551.

Favourite, Korea finished fourth with 2531 followed by Hong Kong fifth with 2506. Host nation, Kuwait rounded up the top 6 with a team total of 2478.

Singles bronze medalist, Misaki Mukotani overtook top spot in the Girl's All Events standings after 15 games with 3490. Overnight leader and Doubles gold medalist, Bernice Lim of Singapore dropped down to second with 3460.

Boy's Singles gold medalist is poised to bag his second gold after topping the Boy's All Events table with 3484 but only a slender lead of 3 pins from Doubles gold medalist, Michael Mak of Hong Kong in second.

The girls will resume with their second block on Sunday morning followed by the boys in the afternoon. The top 16 girls and top 16 boys in the All Events standings will qualify for the Masters finals on January 1 and 2.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

29th January, Kuwait: Hong Kong's Eric Tseng and Michael Mak stormed to their first gold medal of the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship after overhauling Doubles Squad A leader, Korea by 90 pins on Friday.

Malaysia's second pair of Johnathan Chan and Syimir Abdul Razak set an early pace with 479 and 459 to lead Hong Kong's Michael Mak and Eric Tseng by 52 pins. Mak and Tseng downed a superb 511 to take over the running at the halfway point and drawing away fro Malaysia by 77 pins.

Despite managing only 420 in their fourth game, Malaysia failed to capitalise to remain in second and allowing Mak and Tseng to stretch their lead to 93 pins.

Local host challenger of Khaled Al-Dubyyan and Rakan Al-Amiri made their bid after two strong games to take over second spot albeit 130 pins behind the Hong Kong pair as they recovered with a strong 487 in the fifth.

Needing only 389 in their last game to overhaul Squad A leader of Park Jong Woo and Hong Hae Sol, the duo shot 479 to earn a well deserved victory with 2783 and giving Hong Kong their first gold medal. The Korean pair settled for the silver with 2639.

The champion erased the 6-game record of 2678 set by Australia in 2006 while Korea's second 3-game series of 1409 smashed the 2004 record og 1345 set in 2004 by their fellow Koreans. Singapore's Justin Lim shot the tournament's fourth perfect 300 in his final game.

Kuwait had a chance to snatch the bronze in the last game medal but fell short by 24 pins to finish fourth with 2615 behind Malaysia's Khoo Beng Khai and Aris Ardilla, who clinched the bronze medal with 2639.

"Michael was simply great throughout the six games and he managed to cover me in my low game in the third," said the 21-year-old Eric Tseng, who won the 2008 Asian Championship Doubles gold medal with Cyrus Cheung.

"It's nice to win a gold medal after the bronze in the singles two days ago," commented the 16-year-old Michael Mak. "With this victory, I hope that we can continue our form to help our team-mates to win at least a medal in the team event.

"The boys were superb throughout the event and I'm extremely proud of them," said the delighted American coach, Purvis Granger. "It was crucial to stay focus and make consistent shots so I had to keep reminding them to do that.

Mak also moved into top spot of the All Events standings with a 12-game total of 2864, 72 pins ahead of Singles Gold medalist, Shin Seung Hyeon of Korea on 2792. Compatriots, Michael Tsang and Eric Tseng took up third and fourth spots.

The girls will resume with their first block of 3 games in the Team event tomorrow morning over long oil pattern while the boys will contest theirs in the afternoon. The second block will be held on Sunday over short oil pattern.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

29th January, Kuwait: Korea's Park Jong Woo and Hong Hae Sol pipped Malaysia's Khoo Beng Khai and Aris Ardilla in the final game to lead the first of two squads of Boy's Doubles event at the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship.

Reigning national champion, Aris Ardilla of Malayia, anchored his partner Khoo Beng Khai to a blistering pace in the opening game with 492 and took a 40 pin lead over arch rival Korea. East Asian Games four gold medalist, Hong Hae Sol shot a superb 278 but his team-mate, Park Jong Woo down only 178.

The Malaysian pair continued their relentless pace rolling 461, 425 and 492 in the next three games to build up a comfortable margin of 85 pins as Hong Kong's Rickle Kam and Michael Tsang made their bid in second with the Koreans slipping to third.

But Khoo suffered three splits and failed to recover ending the fifth game with 158 as Aris shot 213 for a miserable 371 allowing Park and Hong to narrow the gap to 24 pins after a sizzling 525.

Park and Hong overturned Malaysia to snatch the lead in the final game when the Korean duo shot 476 for a team total of 2693. Malaysia settled for second with 2639 while Hong Kong finished third with 2608.

Japan's Daisuke Yoshida and Takahito Fukuda finised a distant fourth with 2577 while Kuwait's hopes on Mahdi Al-Qalaf and Jassim Darwish were dashed after ending in fifth spot with 2557.

The second squad of boys will take to the lanes at 1.00pm for their Doubles event and the combined scores will determine the winners. Competition will resume with the Team events over two blocks of three games on Saturday and Sunday.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

28th January, Kuwait: Singapore delivered its first gold medal of the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Chmpionship after Bernice Lim and New Hui Fen broke all three records en-route to winning the Girl's Doubles event by a convincing margin.

Bernice Lim, who missed the podium after finishing fourth in the Singles event two days ago, fired 244 in her opening game adding to New Hui Fen's 266 for a scintilating 510 to lead Korea's second pair of Kim Hyun Mi and Kim Yeon Ju by 65 pins.

Lim then set the lanes ablazed with a second game of 289 as her partner down her second consecutive 266 for a sizzling 555 which smashed the record of 485 set by Australia in 2007. The duo continued with their strikefest rolling another superb 527 in the third.

The pair's first three-game series of 1592 also broke the 1304 recorded by Malaysia in 1999 and giving the Singaporeans a 290 pins margin over Malaysia's Hurul Ainul and Siti Shazwani, who took over second spot at the halfway point.

Lim and Hui Fen kept a moderate pace in the second half to end the Doubles event with a total of 2889 to win Singapore's first gold medal. Their total erased the third record of 2515 set by Malaysia in 1999.

Lim amassed a scoreline of 1455 while her partner, Hui Fen added 1434 to the team total for a convincing victory. Korea overtook Malaysia in the final game to snatch the silver medal with 2590 as Malaysia settled for the bronze with 2587.

"We were surprised ourselves that both of us could post such high scores at the start of the event and that kept us on our toes," said the only senior national bowler and 18-year-old Bernice Lim.

"And after two more massive games from both of us, we were jsut enjoying our bowling which took a lot of the pressure off us."

"We were pacing each other well throughout the event and making sure we kept our focus," said New Hui Fen, who won two gold an a silver medal in the Asian Youth Games in July 2009 in Singapore.

"The girls are simply awesome in the first three games which goes to show that we can be as good as the strongest team here," said national head coach, William Woo. "Although the girls slakened a bit in the fourth game, they knew they had a comfortable margin so it didn't bother them much.

Japan's Singles silver and bronze medalist pair of Misaki Mukotani rolled the third perfect 300 when she partnered Rina Asada to storm home a superb game of 546 in the sixth game to finish fourth with 2549 while Malaysia's first pair took fifth spot with 2535.

The boys will take to the lanes tomorrow for their Doubles divided into two squads as the girls take a day's rest. The team events will be staged on Saturday and Sunday over two blocks of three games each.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

27th January, Kuwait: Shin Seung Hyeon took a narrow victory over second perfect gamer, Lee Tak Man of Macau in the Boy's Singles event to claim Korea's second gold medal of the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship.

Hong Kong's Michael Mak had set the benchmark of 1418 in the first squad earlier in the day with a slender 2-pin lead over Korea's Hong Hae Sol. Hong Kong showed promise as Rickle Kam quickly surged into the lead after two superb games of 250 and 268, 11 pins ahead of Korea's Shin Seung Hyeon.

Kam and Shin were almost locked together with just 1 pins separating the duo after the Korean youngster shot a stronger 248 to Kam's 235 and moved into the lead at the halfway point. But Shin step up his pace with 249 and 286 to draw away from the field.

But the limelight was stolen by Macau's Lee Tak Man when he fired 12 consecutive strikes to become the second bowler to score the second perfect 300 in the fifth game to take up second in the squad.

Needing only 128 pins to overhaul Squad A leader and assuring the victory, Shin eased off to end the 6-game event with 1483 not knowing that Lee had shot 258 and almost snatched the gold away.

Lee won for the silver medal with 1446 while first squad leader, Michal Mak had to settle for the bronze medal on 1418. Shin's team-mate, Hong Hae Sol, who was second in the first squad missed the medal to end up in fourth.

"We had trained with the Korean national team before we came here and that gave us a lot of confidence," said the 20-year-old Shin Seung Hyeon, who won two gold and two silver medals at the 2007 Asian Schools Championship in Hong Kong.

"After three games and with 255 pins over, I felt very comfortable." Malaysia's Syimir Abdul Razak made a late charge in his final two games but failed to finish in the podium and was content with a fifth place finish on 1416.

Competition resume tomorrow morning with the Girl's Doubles event while the boys will contest their Doubles on Friday over two squads.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

27th January, Kuwait: Asian Youth Games gold medalist, Michael Mak of Hong Kong took a slender 2-pin lead over strong rival, Korea after topping the Boy's Singles Squad A with team-mate Eric Tseng in third.

2008 Asian Championship Doubles gold medalist, Eric Tseng of Hong Kong had a dream start in his opening game of the Boy's Singles this morning with a sizzling 289 to lead Australia's Mitch Marris by 22 pins.

Despite posting 201 in the second game, Tseng was still ahead of the Aussie by 9 pins with team-mate and Asian Youth Games gold medalist, Michael Mak closing in on the leading pair after knocking down 226 ans 236.

When Tseng suffered a poor 179 in the third game, Mak surged into the lead with a superb 268 as Marris kept his second place at the halfway mark. But Tseng recovered with 258 and 279 to regain the lead, 23 pins ahead of compatriot, Mak in second.

East Asian Games gold medalist, Hong Hae Sol had an opportunity to top the squad but had a split in the ninth frame to end the squad with 1416, just 2 pins adrift Mak, who finished strongest amongst the trio with 1418.

Tseng settled for third after only managing 197 in the final game for a total of 1403 while Mitch Marris slipped down to fourth with 1403 despite finishing strongly with 258 in the final game.

"Although I finished as leader in the squad, I missed four simple spares," said the 16-year-old Michael Mak, who also won the Team silver at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong last month.

"I though I had finished second when I saw the Korean knocking down seven strikes in a row but me team-mates told me he had a split. All I can do now is wait for the second squad to finish and hopefully my score is good enough to earn me at least a medal."

Rakan Al-Amiri had the the local Kuwaiti supporters behind him but could only finish fifth with 1369. The second squad will contest their Singles in the afternoon and the winners will be determined when the scores are combined.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

26th January, Kuwait: Korea underlined their supremacy to claim the first gold medal of the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship after Baek Seung Ja led from start to finish in the opening Girl's Singles event on Tuesday morning.

Baek Seung Ja almost had a perfect start in her opening game but left a stubborn pin 10 standing in the last frame to roll 299 and led the field of 30 girls from 8 countries with China's Sun Hong Dou in second, 33 pins adrift.

But the limelight was stolen from the Korean as Rina Asada of Japan shot the championship's first perfect 300 in the second game to take up second spot and narrowed the gap to just 16 pins from Baek.

A strong 245 in the third game from Baek, who followed it up with two scintilating back-to-back 279 games more or less decided the champion with the rest battling over the silver and bronze medals.

The leader eased off with 221 in her final game to end the 6-game event with 1552 erasing the 1387 record set by Shalin Zulkifli in 1996. Misaki Mukotani, who won the silve medal smashed the 3-games record of 734 set by Taiwan's Chen Kuan Ting in 2007 with a second series of 814.

"This is my first major championship and I'm so happy to win my country's first gold medal," said the 20-year-old Korean national youth rookie, Baek Seung Ja. "The first game of 299 took a lot of pressure off me and I was just concentrating on making good shots."

Asian Schools two gold medalist, Misaki Mukotani of Japan, stormed home with 267 in her last game to snatch the silver medal with 1489 from team-mate, Rina Asada, who had to settle for the bronze with 1469.

Asada however, broke China's Wu Suqin high game of 269 with her 300. Singapore's Bernice Lim, who was at one stage third, slipped to fourth with 1410.

The boys will take to the lanes on Wednesday morning for the Singles Squad A while Squad B will be contested in the afternoon. The combined scores will determine the winners.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

25th January, Kuwait: A lavish ceremony was held at Salwa Hall, Marina Hotel in downtown Kuwait City to mark the opening of the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship in the presence of government dignitaries, members of the royal family and distinguished guests on Monday evenng.

The guest of honour representing His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmed Al Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, R. Lieutenant General Faisal Musaed Al Jazzaf, Chairman and Director of the Public Authority for Youth and Sport was on hand to witness 15 participating teams which paraded on stage.

Also present were Mr Kevin Dornberger, WTBA President, Ms Jessie Phua, FIQ President, Sheikh Talal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee and ABF President, Mr Mohammad A Alkhaja, ABF Vice President and President of UAE Bowling Federation, Mr Cui Zhi Qiang, ABF Vice President and numerous distinguished guests.

Mr Sheikh Talal Al-Sabah addressed guests in his welcomng speech and thanked the guest of honour, R. Lieutenant General Faisal Musaed Al Jazzaf for taking time off to officially open the championship. R. Lieutenant General Faisal Musaed Al Jazzaf declared open the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship.

Fifteen teams comprising of Australia, China, DPR Korea, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and host Kuwait paraded on the stage.

The guests were then entertained by a renowned Durmitical Troup from Austria which gave a superb drum performance using oil barrels. They were later joined by Kuwaiti drummers. Renowned Bashar Al Shatti delivered the "Welcome All of You" song in English.

Bashar and Fatima also went on to sing "Al Hadaf Wahed" and "Um el Khair" songs accompanied the young school girls from the Kuwaiti Cultural Dancing Group.

Four events will be contested covering the Singles, Doubles, Team of 4 and the Masters. The best-scoring 16 boys and 16 girls in the 18-games All Events standings will advance into the Masters finals over two blocks of 8 games.

The top 3 boys and top 3 girls will advance into the stepladder finals which will determine the champion of the Masters finals. Kuwait TV Channel 3 will broadcast the entire championship LIVE.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.

23rd January, Kuwait: Kuwait is ready to host the 15th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship in which fifteen countries will kick off with the official practice tomorrow at the Cozmo Bowl in Salmiya City.

Team officials attended the managers' meeting at the official hotel, Holiday Inn this evening at 8.00pm the managers confirmed their players names. 58 boys from 15 countries and 31 girls from 8 countries will be taking part in this 15th edition of the championship.

Mr Salem Al-Haradah, secretary general of Kuwait Bowling Sporting Club and local tournament coordinator, welcomed team officials to Kuwait for the championship as Tournament Manager, Dr Danny Santos conducted the meeting proper.

Mr John Janawicz from Kegel, USA is the appointed technical delegate for the championship taking care of laying down the oiling pattern. Mr Kyohei Akagi of Japan, Ms Vivien Lau of Hong Kong and Ms Suwalai Satrulee of Thailand are the appointed Jury of Appeal.

The countries taking part this year are Australia, China, DPR Korea, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE and host Kuwait.

Seven countries are fielding a full team comprising of four boys and four girls while China fielded three boys and three girls. The remaining eight countries fielded only their boys team making up a total of 58 boys and 31 girls.

The official practice will be held tomorrow over three squads and will break for the Monday official opening and welcome reception. Competition proper will commence on Tuesday with the Girl's Singles.

The Boy's Singles over two squads will be held on Wednesday. The Doubles will be held over the next two days. Day 5 will see the Team of Four first block of three games and Day 6 for the second block.

The top 16 boys and top 16 girls based on the 18-games total (Singles, Doubles and Team) will qualify for the Masters finals over two blocks of 8 games on Monday, February 1. The top 3 boys and top 3 girls will advance to the stepladder finals on February 2.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.