14th December, Bangkok: It was a perfect match to a perfect ending as Zulmazran Zulkifli and Shalin Zulkifli struck it right in the mixed doubles to help the bowling team meet the four-gold medal target for the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship at the SF Strike Bowl yesterday.

The duo chalked up a total 2403 pins in the final event of the bowling competition to finish 15 pins ahead of the Phillipines’ Biboy Rivera and Liza Del Rosario. Thailand’s Yannaphon Larpapharat and Angkana Netrviseth took bronze on 2323. A poor last game of 159 pinfalls by Sharon Koh resulted in her pairing with Alex Liew failing to get among the medals. They finished fourth, 43 pins behind the Thais.

The success yesterday earned Malaysia the fourth out of a total of 11 gold medals at stake and it was the third for Shalin after her triumphs in the women's trios and team events. Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman also won gold in the women's doubles.

For Zulmazran, he was finally rewarded with a gold for his efforts after suffering the agony of settling for lesser medal in the five previous events.

"Winning the gold on the final day was a big relief but more importantly, I helped the team achieve the four-gold target. I'm happy that my combination with Shalin worked well yet again."

This is the third time that Zulmazran and Shalin have brought success to Malaysia in an international tournament. They were also gold medallists at the Commonwealth Championships in Cyprus in 2003 and bagged a silver medal at the World Games in Germany two years ago.

And like Shalin, Zulmazran now holds the rare honour of being the first Malaysian man to win a medal in every event in the SEA Games. Shalin did so in the 1999 Brunei Games.

Chief coach Holloway Cheah, who was relieved that Malaysia survived the challenging lanes, said: "I'm very proud of every bowler in the team. We've a medal to show in every event of both the men’' and women's competitions.

In fact, all the other teams appreciated our effort here," he said. At the last Games in Manila two years ago, Malaysia won three gold medals. The 4-3-2 medal haul also allowed Malaysia to retain the overall champion crown.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

13th December, Bangkok: Rookie, Sharon Limansantoso was crowned the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship Masters champion after defeating top-seed, Esther Cheah, 427-365 over two games to win Indonesia's second gold as Remy Ong of Singapore triumphed in the men's division.

Sharon Limansantoso edged top-seed and triple gold medalist, Esther Cheah, 187-167 in the first game to build up a 20 pins margin. The champion went on to outclassed the Malaysian, 241-198 for a sweet victory with 427-365 total.

The victory made up for the disappointment suffered by the Indonesian women after loosing the Team of 5 event to the Malaysian team despite winning the opening Singles gold medal by Tannya Roumimper at the start of the championship.

Limansantoso, who was seeded third after the second block Masters finals played earlier, eliminated second-seed and singles gold medalist, Tannya in the all-Indonesian first stepladder latch, 206-190 to earn a crack at the title. Esther Cheah settled for the silver medal while teammate, Tannya took home the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Ryan Lalisang almost gave Indonesia a double victory in the masters but the top-seed went down to Singapore's Remy Ong in the stepladder finals. Ryan lost the first match narrowly, 227-237 and despite fighting back with 213 in the second match over Remy's 204, Ryan's total of 440 fell short by just 1 pin.

The Singaporean, who was seeded second, easlily knocked out Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli in the first match, 194-159 before going all the way to claim Singapore's third gold medal in the competition.

Thailand's Yannaphon Larpapharat missed the cut for the stepladder finals finishing fourth with 3315. The players will return to end the championship with the inaugural Mixed Doubles event for the final gold. Each country is aonly allowed to field two pairs in the event.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

12th December, Bangkok: Malaysian women again proved their prowess as rookie, Sharon Koh and Esther Cheah finished 1-2 in the first block Masters finals of the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship while Singapore's Remy Ong topped the men's division.

The 20-year-old Sharon, who won the gold medal in yesterday's Team event, won 6 of the 8 round-robin matches for 60 points bonus added to her 8-game score of 1636 to give her 1696 and the lead in the first block finals.

Apart from a low game of 159 in the second match, Sharon fired 202, 256, 191, 190, 197, 214 and 227 to take a 26 pin lead over teammate and triple gold medalist, Esther Cheah. Cheah gave Malaysia a 1-2 finish in the finals with 1670, winning 7 matches.

Team silver medalist, Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia set a blistering pace with 244, 212, 215 in the first 3 matches to take a commanding lead over teammate and singles gold medalist, Tannya Roumimper in second.

But the Indonesia slumped thereafter allowing Tannya and Singapore's Jennifer Tan to trade the lead briefly before Sharon Koh took over from the seventh game onwards. Limansantoso tied with Tannya for third spot with 1632.

In the men's division, Team bronze medalist, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia and local hero, Somjed Kusonpithak traded lead over the first two games but soon found the pace a little to hot to handle when Singapore's Remy Ong grabbed the lead after the halfway mark.

The Singaporean trios gold medalist won 6 out of the 8 matches to finish the block with a total of 1819 for the lead. Adrian Ang of Malaysia, who trailed Ong in the second half, finished second with a total of 1741, winning 7 matches.

Lalisang recovered to take up third spot with a total of 1737 with team gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand in fourth with 1713. Pace-setter, Somjed dropped off to a disappointing 14th.

The finalists will return to SF Strike Bowl for another 8-game second block finals during which the top 3 in both divisions will make the cut for the stepladder finals. The final event, Mixed Doubles will be contested on Friday, December 14.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

11th December, Bangkok: Malaysia and Thailand shared glory as the Malaysian women won their third gold medal and the Thais captured their second gold medal in the Team of 5 event of the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship.

Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman, who combined with Shalin Zulkifli to win the Trios gold medal yesterday, teamed up with Siti Safiyah Amirah and Sharon Koh posted another stunning final game of 1011 to emerge the team champion.

The Malaysian women ruled the lanes as the Team of 5 got underway this morning at SF Strike Bowl to top the first block albeit just 7 pins from the strong Thais in second. The team continued to take the lead after the break for their second block and stretched the margin to 46 pins.

But Thailand's Lertdcharoentrakul T, Husanee Chupinij, Aree Gunnalada, Saowapha Kunaksorn and anchored by two silver medalist, Angkana Netrviseth shot 980 in the fifth game to overtake the Malaysian just 10 pins ahead.

With sheer determination and 'never say die' attitude, the Malaysian women fired 1011 to assured themselves the victory with a total of 5723 as the Thais fumbled with 882 in their final game and dropping behind Indonesia to take home the bronze medal with 5604.

In the men's division, the local crowd almost brought the roof of SF Strike Bowl down as they cheered on their men to a sweet victory over the strong and first block leader, Malaysia.

Thailand's Badin Lertpiriyasakulkit, Phoemphun Yakasem, Suarasak Manuwong, Somjed Kusonpithak and Yannaphon Larpapharat took over the lead after the start of the second block with a superb 1026 and a margin of 67 pins.

Despite fighting back in the fifth game with 1013, Malaysia's Daniel Lim, Alex Liew, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Adrian Ang and Aaron Kong had the gap stretched to 77 pins when the Thais fired another stunning 1011.

A 1000 from the Malaysians were not enough to topple the Thailand as they eased off with 929 in their last game to bag their second gold medal with 5832 and a sweet revenge over the Malaysians after playing second fiddle three times in the last two events.

Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang, Oscar Oscar, Dennis Pulunggono, Yudhira Rangga Dwichandra and Haqi Rumandung, who trailed Thailand after the fifth game, was pipped by Malaysia with 5812 and had to settle for the bronze medal with 5690.

Both Angkana Netrviseth and Badin Lertpiriyasakulkit topped the women's and men's All Events standings with 4941 and 4885 but was not awarded any medals due to the rule implemented in the 2005 Manila SEA Games.

The Thais lead the top 16 women and top 16 men in the standings into the Masters finals which will be played in two blocks of 8 games each over two days. Happy Soediyono of Indonesia squeezed in at 16th spot with and average of 185.75 while her fellow-countrymen, Oscar Oscar also manged 16th position averaging 187.96.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

10th December, Bangkok: Singapore and Malaysia shared the glory on Day 3 of the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship as both captured their second gold medal in the Men's and Women's Trios event.

Shaun Ng, who after capturing Singapore's first gold medal on Day 1, let his teammate, Remy Ong down when he posted only 1065 to Remy's strong 1293 to end up sixth in the Doubles yesterday.

But the 27-year-old bounced back today with 1198 to lead his teammates, Jason Yeong-Nathan and Remy Ong to snatch the gold medal from pace-setter, Indonesia with 3490. Despite Remy only managing 1108, Jason's 1184 was enough to seal the victory.

Early second block leader, Ryan Laisang, Oscar Oscar and Haqi Rumandung of Indonesia settled for the silver medal with ahead of Malaysia's Adrian Ang, Aaron Kong and two bronze medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli who took the bronze medal with 3486.

Badin Lertpirisakulit, Somjed Kusonpithak and Yannaphon Larpapharat finished fourth with 3473 ahead of Singpore's other trio of Carl De Vries, Lee Yu-Wen and Justin Teng in fifth with 3366.

In the women's division, Doubles gold medalist, Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman partnered singles bronze medalist, Shalin Zulkifli to win Malaysia's second gold medal when they took a comfortable victory in the Trios event with 3554 total.

The Malaysian trio had led the first block played earlier in the day with 56 pins margin, started off the second block with a lowly 514 to give away the lead to Indonesia's Novie Phang, Shalima Zalsha and Sharon Limansantoso and trailed by 25 pins.

The trio dropped further back after the fifth game as Indonesia continue to top the field with Thailand's Aree Gunnalada, Saowapha Kunaksorn and Angkana Netvriseth taking over second spot from the Malaysians.

With an inspired fighting spirit, Esther, Zatil and Shalin stormed home with a stunning 673 to outclass their opponents to take a well deserved victory and 41 pins margin. The Thais again settled for the silver medal with 3513.

Singapore's Evelyn Chan, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan and Amanda Ng posted the highest 3-game series of 1851 to pip the unlucky Indonesians for the bronze medal with 3489 as Novie, Shalima and Sharon managed only 524 to finish fourth with 3482.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

9th December, Bangkok: Malaysia delivered her first gold medal when Esther Cheah and debutant, Zatil Iman hung on to their lead to emerge champion in the Women's Doubles event of the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship.

At the start of the women's doubles event Sunday afternoon, Malaysia's first pair of Siti Safiyah Amirah and singles bronze medalist, Shalin Zulkifli set the pace with a 418 opening game to lead their fellow teammates and second pair of Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman by 18 pins.

A stunning 456 in the second game from Esther and Zatil saw the pair leaping to the front with Indonesia's Shalima Zalsha and Sharon Limansantoso putting their challenge to trail by 55 pins as Siti suffered a set back of 140 to drop out of the top 5.

Esther and Zaitl kept a strong pace with 411, 389 and 392 to lead up to the fifth game but face an even stronger challenge from Thailand's duo of Saowapha Kunaksorn and Angkan Netvriseth with a mere 1 pin advantage.

Fortunately, the leading pair kept their composure to end the 6-game event with 401 to break the ice and secure Malaysia's first gold medal with a total of 2438. The Thais settled for the silver with 2387, 51 pins adrift.

A superb 469 in the fifth game from Siti Safiyah and Shalin allowed them to crawl up into third and a 371 in their final game was good enough for the pair to clinch the bronze medal with 2322.

Malaysia's third pair of Sharon Koh and Zandra Aziela was edged off fourth position when Lisa Del Rosario posted the highest game of the block with 298 in her final game with partner Apple Posadas finishing fourth with 2304.

After two events, two silver medalist, Angkana Netvriseth of Thailand is way ahead in the All Events standings with 2468, 103 pins clear of Siti Safiyah and Zatil Iman of Malaysia in second and third with 2365 and 2352.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

9th December, Bangkok: Host nation, Thailand dominated the Men's Doubles of the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship as Phoemphun Yakasem-Annop Aromsaranon and Somjed Kusonpithak-Yannaphon Larpapharat finished 1-2 to win the gold and silver medals.

Thailand's second pair of Somjed Kusonpithak and Yannaphon Larpapharat set the pace with 462 as the men took to the lanes for their doubles event this morning, 12 pins ahead of their teammates and third pair of Phoemphun Yakasem and Annop Aromsaranon.

Except for a brief lead by Malaysia's first pair of Aaron Kong and Singles bronze medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli in the second game, the event was totally dominated by the Thais when both pairs tied at 1300 each at the halfway mark.

Somjed-Yannaphon pulled away with 408 in the fourth game to lead the Phoemphun-Annop by 39 pins as the third pair suffered a low game of 356. The second pair continued to lead after the fifth game but only by 26 pins when their fellow-countrymen fought back with 428.

Phoemphun-Annop's momentum carried them forward and crucially ahead of their teammates to win the gold medal with 2521 after a strong final game of 437. Somjed-Yannaphon, who settled for the silver medal with 2503, gave host nation, Thailand a 1-2 finish.

Malaysia's Aaron Kong and Zulmazran Zulkifli hung on to third and the bronze medal with 2464 followed by the recovering pair of Adrian Ang and Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan, also of Malaysia in fourth with 2435.

After two events, Singles bronze medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli topped the All Events with 2498 followed by Yannaphon Larpapharat and Badin Lertpiriyasakilit, both of Thailand in second and third with 2450 and 2441 respectively.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

8th November, Manila: Singapore's Shaun Ng Qenn bounced back from a slow start in the two opening games to win the Men's Singles gold medal of the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship on Saturday evening.

Shaun Ng started off poorly with 176 and 190 in his two opening games as two Thais, Badin Lertpiriyasakulkit and Somjed Kusonpithak fought out the lead with only 11 pins separating the two.

Two outstanding games of 234 and 248 allowed Shaun to crawl up the field to trail Badin by only 8 pins after the fourth game. Taking advantage of Badin's poor game of 158 in the fifth, the Singaporean posted 198 to take over the lead albeit only 2 pins ahead of another Thai, Somjed.

With less than 30 pins separating the top 6 going into the final game, Shaun prevailed to hang on to the lead with a moderate 204 in his final game giving him a total of 1250 and a well deserved victory.

Malaysia's Alex Liew and Zulmazran Zulkifli, who were in the top 10, both stormed home strongly to finish second and third to clinch the silver and bronze medal with 1237 and 1231 respectively.

Philippines' Raoul Miranda posted the highest game of the event with 279 to pip pace-setters, Badin and Somjed to finish fourth with 1216 as both the Thais faded off to a disappointing fifth and sixth positions.

The men will resume competition with the Doubles in the morning while the women will take to the lanes in the afternoon.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.

8th December, Bangkok: Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia, snatched the Women's Singles gold medal of the 24th SEA Games Bowling Championship underway at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng to win Indonesia's first gold medal.

Angkana Netvriseth of Thailand set a cracking pace in the opening event with an outstanding 229 ahead of Indonesia's Happy Soediyono in second with 219 in fairly difficult conditions where only 4 other women managed to hit 200 plus games.

A strong 236 from Apple Posadas saw the Filipina taking a brief lead which was soon overtaken by Tanny Roumimper of Indonesia after a 3-game series of 645 at the halfway mark followed by Malaysia's Zatil Iman in second just 3 pins adrift as Angkana dropped off.

With the strong local crowd firmly behind their favourite bowler, Angkana fired 195 and 258 to snatch the lead from the Tannya with just 5 pins ahead going into the final game.

The Indonesian prevailed to end the opening event with 206 and 1244 total to win the first gold medal while the Thai could only knock down 191 to settled for a disappointing silver medal with 1234.

Malaysia's Shalin Zulkifli stromed home with 224 to take home the bronze medal followed by another strong finishing Thai, Saowapha Kunaksorn with 1185 to tie fourth spot with her teammare, Aree Gunnalada.

The men will take to the lanes for their Singles event shortly after lane maintenance. The women will resume competition with the Doubles tomorrow.

Photos courtesy of Cheah Ban Cheng, MTBC.