15th November, Jakarta: Asian Championship Masters gold medalist, Adrian Ang of Malaysia and first block leader, Joung Myo-Boub of Korea, captured the inaugural 1st Ancol Open Bowling Championship Men's and Women's Open Masters crown on Saturday evening.

Adrian Ang, who was seventh in the first block on Friday, scorched the lanes at Ancol Bowling Centre to advance into the stepladder finals as topseed after a scintilating second block.

The Asian Championship Gold medalist shot 1679 in today's eight-games block to amassed a total of 3328 to top the field ahead of Indonesia's strongest challenger, Ryan Lalisang and Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong third.

In the title match against challenger, Lalisang, the 20-year-old was forced into the sudden-death deciding second game after losing to the Indonesian, 204-213. Determined to not come back empty handed, Ang quickly doubled up in the second and third frames to take a slight lead.

Ang strung together four consecutive strikes from frame seven after his opponent opened two frames. The Malaysian sealed the victory, 213-167 capping his first international open title since winning at the Asian Championship in July.

"It wasn't a big loss in the first game and I knew that I can come back in the second game. I'm glad I was able to get the lucky break late in the game," said the delighted champion. "I always put in my best effort in all the competitions that I compete in and I'm glad it turn out OK.

Lalisang had earlier ousted third-seed, Wu Siu Hong and winner of the first stepladder match, Matthew Cole, 219-170-198 to face Ang. Cole, who was seeded fifth, beat fourth-seed, Sithiphol Kunaksorn of Thailand and Filipino, Biboy Rivera, 211-151-205 in the first match.

In the women's division, first block leader, Joung Myo-Boub finished as topseed and subsequently defeated challenger, Vanessa Fung of Hong Kong, 191-182 to claim the women's crown. The runnerup had knocked out two Koreans, Park Jin Hee and winner of the first match, Kim Eun Jung, 200-160-158 before going down to the champion.

Kim, who was seeded sixth, beat fourth-seed, Liza Del Rosario of the Philippines and fifth-seed Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong, 214-191-166 in the first women's stepladder match.

Siti Safiyah Amirah of Malaysia, who was sixth before the final game, shot 180 while Korea's Kim Eun Jung posted 247 to edge the Malaysian out of the top 6 for the stepladder finals. Siti totaled 3082, 27 pins behind Kim to take seventh spot.

Adrian Ang won Rupiah 100 million (approx. US$8,500) for his effort. Joung took home Rupiah 40 million (approx. US$3,500). The top 16 Asians men and women also made the cut for the final leg of the ABF Tour Indonesia which will be held on Sunday.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

14th November, Jakarta: Newly-crowned Men's Grade A champion, Matthew Cole from Bali upstaged the favourites to lead the Men's Open Masters first block of the 1st Ancol Open Bowling Championship on Friday evening.

Having just won the Indonesia Open Men's Grade B Masters title three weeks ago, Matthew Cole had to bowl in the Grade A at this championship. And he passed with flying colours winning the title by a convincing margin too.

Cole also made the finals of the Men's Open Masters as the top local qualifier and surprised the field to take the lead after the first block of eight games contested. The American did not have a good start but a superb 288 in his second game propelled him to the front.

But his lead was short-lived as Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong took over the front running with Cole in close company. Thailand's Sithiphol Kunaksorn and Phoemphun Yakasem mounted their challenge to take first and second spot but only for game 5.

Cole regained the lead and went on to snatch pole with a total of 1716. Sithiphol finished second with 1714, just 2 pins adrift while Filipino, Biboy Rivera stromed home to take third spot with 1680.

The leader, who started bowling at the age of 6 back in the US, had stopped after moving to Taiwan where he remained there for 12 years. Cole then moved to Bali where he started a jewellery factory. He started to bowl again only for the past three years.

"I'm very confident coming into this finals especially after winning easily in the Grade A finals last night," said the 37-year-old American. "My target is to make tomorrow's stepladder finals."

Malaysia's best performer was Zaid Izlan who also stromed home for fourth spot while early pace-setter, Phoemphun Yakasem rounded up the top 5. Ryan Lalisang was Indonesia's best performer in eighth.

The men will resume with Saturday's second block of 8 games during which the top 6 will advance to the stepladder finals. The top 16 Asians will also make the cut for the final leg of the ABF Tour which will be held on Sunday.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

14th November, Jakarta: Suwon City's Joung Myo-Boub of Korea topped the Women's Open Masters first block of the 1st Ancol Open Bowling Championship trailed by two Hong Kong women on Friday morning.

The Korean ex-international, who won the 2000 World Youth Team gold medal in Dominican Republic, immediately took the lead with a 234 opening game but lost the lead to newly-crowned Youth Girls Under-23 champion, Tannya Roumimper from Bandung after the second game.

But the 29-year-old Joung bounched back to regain the lead from game 3 onwards with just 7 pins from the Indonesia youngster. The Korean then settled down to consistent lines and had built up a comfortable lead of 56 pins at the halfway mark.

Joung went on to cruise home in pole position with a total score of 1660, 57 pins ahead of the fast finishing Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong, who clinched second spot with 1603. Chan's compatriot, Vanessa Fung took third spot with 1588.

"The lanes are not easy and I had to be very cautious throughout the eight games," said Joung through an interpreter and compatriot, Kim Eun Jung. "I'll have to concentrate tomorrow if I want to make the stepladder finals."

Early pace-setter, Tannya Roumimper, who was Indonesia's best performer, dropped off to seventh behind Singapore's Nicole Wong, Filipin Liza Del Rosario and Korea's Park Jin Hee, who finished fourth to sixth positions.

The women will resume with Saturday's second block of 8 games during which the top 6 will advance to the stepladder finals. The top 16 Asians will also make the cut for the final leg of the ABF Tour which will be held on Sunday.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

13th November, Jakarta: Indonesians swept the Youth Under-23 titles when Tannya Roumimper from Bandung and Jerry R from Jakarta triumphed in the Girl's and Boy's Masters finals of the 1st Ancol Open Bowling Championship.

World Youth All Events silver medalist, Tannya Roumimper did not have the best of start when she only managed a 166 and 163 in her first two games. But the 18-year-old student from Bandung gradually crawl her way up with 233, 212 and 212 to trail leader, Krizziah Tabora of the Philippines at the halfway mark.

Tannya grabbed the lead from game seven onwards but was closely followed by the Filipina and Singapore's Kristel Oh. Although the Indonesian youngster only shot 187 and 189 in her last two games, it proved enough for her to seal the victory.

The champion totaled 1915 to claim the Girl's Under-23 title from the fast finishing Gina Lim of Singapore in second, 68 pins adrift. Krizziah settled for third spot with 1843 while early pace-setter, Kristel dropped to sixth.

The Boy's Under-23 title went to Indonesia's Jerry R after he amassed a total of 2029 in the 10-game finals. The youngster led in the first game but quickly dropped off the pace to give compatriots, Erick Ngo and Vindy fighting out the lead in the early stages.

Jerry recovered from game 8 onwards and then fired home 192 and 206 to claim the title. Top qualifier, Muhd Amirul Afif of MSSM, Malaysia finished a strong second with 1977 followed by Dennis R taking third spot with 1950.

Both Vindy and Erick faded off in the latter stage to end up fourth and sixth positions respectively with another Malaysian, Mohd Ozzer Othman in fifth with 1919.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

13th November, Jakarta: Asian Championship two gold medalist, Chester King of the Philippines shot the highest four-games qualifying round to take over the lead of the Men's Open Masters table in the 1st Ancol Open Bowling Championship.

In only his fourth qualifying attempt, Chester King shot 236, 214, 243 and a sizzling final game of 279 to amassed a total of 972 moving the Filipino up from sixth overnight to pole position.

King's best score prior to his attempt was 867. The 28-year-old, who also qualified well in hsi previous outing but failed to make any impression in the finals, will be hoping to make amends this time round.

Newly-crowned Chinese Taipei Open champion, Wu Siu Hong got pushed down to second on his 904 posted yesterday. Ex-national, Rocky Hui also notched up an improved score of 898 to move up to third spot.

There was very little changes to the women's table with Korea's Park Jin Hee remaining in pole position with 911 followed by Nicole Wong of Singapore in second with 856. Current Asian Ranked No. 1, Chan Shuk Han improved to third with 855.

Indonesia's top contender, Putty Armein, who has had a poor run this year and has a low ranking in the Asian table, will be hoping to end the drought with a good showing here on her home ground.

Armein is seeded fourth in the local pool from Ivana Hanjaya firmly in top spot. SEA Games Gold medalist, Happy Soediyono is the top local qualifier with 864 ahead of newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion, Sharon Limansantoso in second with 842.

Qualifying will end late this evening and the Masters finals will commence tomorrow (Friday) with the first of two blocks of 8 games.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

12th November, Jakarta: Newly-crowned Chinese Taipei Open champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong is aiming to win his second consecutive title as he took over the lead in the Men's Open Masters qualifying table of the 1st Ancol Open Bowling Championship.

Wu, who recently triumphed in the Chinese Taipei Open, became the first Open bowler to shoot past the 900-mark when he fired 211, 256, 266 and 171 for a total of 904. But his effort did not come easy as this was his seventh attempt.

His best effort before that was shooting 888, just one squad earlier. Wu, who also won the Guam Open two months ago, will be the firm favourite going into the finals at Ancol Bowling Centre where he won the 2006 Asian Championship Masters gold medal.

Second in the overseas pool came UAE's Saeed Obaid, winner of the Masters bronze medal in Kuwait's 9th GCC Championship on a score of 890. Filipino, Biboy Rivera took third spot with 887.

Malaysia's duo of Adrian Ang and newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion, Alex Liew rounded up the top 5 with 885 and 881 respectively. In the local pool, Matthew Cole took over the lead with 872 pushing David Sitorus into second while Oscar moved up to third.

In the women's division, 1999 World Championship Trios and Team gold medalist, Park Jin Hee stormed into the lead with the highest four-games qualifying score of 911. The 33-year-old from Suwon City, Korea shot 224, 228, 235 and 224 in her third attempt.

Singapore's youngster, Nicole Wong claimed second spot with a 856 effort while Hong Kong's Vanessa Fung also did well to finish third with a score of 854. Happy Soediyono of Indonesia continued to top the local pool with 864.

There were no changes in the local seeded pool with Ivana Hanjaya, Raniia A Nugroho, Shalima Zalsha and Putty Armein occupying the top 4 positions.

Qualifying will end tomorrow (Thursday) and the Masters finals will be contested over two blocks of 8 games on Friday and Saturday. The top 6 at the end of the two blocks will advance to the stepladder finals.

The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will also make the cut for the final leg of this year's ABF Tour which will be held on Sunday, November 16 and a final chance to make the top 16 for the Tournament of Champions scheduled for January next year at Ancol Bowling Centre.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

11th November, Jakarta: Ex-national, Asrul Azmir became the first Malaysian to top the Men's Open Masters qualifying table of the on-going 1st Ancol Open Bowling Championship on Tuesday at Ancol Bowling Centre.

Asrul Azmir posted 825 in a seemingly difficult lane conditions at Ancol Bowling Centre judging from the scores posted so far by other overseas competitors who have arrive Jakarta for the qualifying round.

Newcomer, Terry Leong of USA is second with 813 followed by Louie Chuaquico of the Philippines third with 812. Four-time AMF World Cup champion and Hall of Famer, Paeng Nepomuceno of the Philippines knocked down 800 for fourth spot.

Meanwhile, ex-international, David Sitorus of Indonesia led the local pool with 837 followed by Diwan Rezaldy and Thomas Tan second and third with 821 and 811. Yougnster, Rannga continued to top the local seeded pool.

SEA Games gold medalist, Happy Soediyono of Indonesia, surged into the lead of the Women's Open local qualifying table with a superb 864. Newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion, Sharon Limansantoso dropped to second with 842.

World Youth All Events silver medalist, Tannya Roumimper from Bandung claimed third spot with 797 while Ivana Hanjaya continued to top the local seeded pool. Ranii A Nugroho, Shalima Zalsha and Putty Armein were the rest of the local seeded qualifiers.

Sariya Chongvarin of Thailand took top spot in the overseas table with a score of 790 followed by two Koreans, Joung Myo-Boub and Park Jin Hee who finished second and third with 766 and 761 respectively.

Qualifying continues through to Thursday, November 13 when the top 12 Men's Open qualifiers from the local, overseas and mixed pool and the top 8 Women's Open qualifiers from the local, overseas and mixed pool will contest the first block Masters finals on November 14.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

7th November, Jakarta: Indonesia's Ivana Hanjaya and Ryan Lalisang are vying for home victories in the inaugural 1st Ancol Open Bowling Championship underway at Ancol Bowling Centre.

Ivana Hanjaya, who topped the local qualifying pool of the recent 6th Indonesia Open but failed to capitalise in the finals, again topped the local seeded pool of the Women's Open Masters qualifying table.

The national player led compatriots, Ranii Nugroho in second with youngster, Shalima Zalsha and Indonesian bowling queen, Putty Armein third and fourth spots.

Newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion, Sharon Limansantoso will also be gunning for her second consecutive title on home soil. Sharon, who also captured the 2007 SEA Games Masters Gold medal topped the local pool with a score of 843.

Meanwhile in the Men's Open division, Rannga topped the local seeded spot followed by newcomer, Michael Bacon in second and Ryan Lalisang third. Since winning the ABF Tour Kuwait leg this year, the Indonesian has had numerous runnerup spots and will be hoping to end the drought.

Lalisang has also dropped off to ninth position in the Asian Ranking standings and a good showing in the finals will move the Indonesia up into the top 8 for next year's World Ranking Masters in Naples, Italy.

Newcomer, Terry Leong of USA was the only foreign participant to have made his qualifying attempt and currently occupies top spot in the overseas pool with 734. A large number of teams are anticipated and will start to arrive Jakarta from next week onwards.

Qualifying continues through to November 13 when the top 12 Men's Open qualifiers from the local, overseas and mixed pool and the top 8 Women's Open qualifiers from the local, overseas and mixed pool will contest the first block Masters finals on November 14.

Photos by Terence Yaw.