25th October, Kuwait: Malaysia ruled the first block of both the Women's and Men's Trios event at the 25th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships ahead of their arch rival, Korea with both the women and the men finishing second and third.

Esther Cheah partnered Singles bronze and gold medallists, Sin Li Jane and Shalin Zulkifli and led from start to finish to finish the first block of three games in the lead with 2140 with 774, 660 and 706. Cheah posted the highest series in the trio with 755, Sin with 714 and Zulkifli contributing 671.

Korea's first trio of Kang Sujin, Lee Yeonji and Baek Seungja, who was second to the Malaysians, remained second overall with 2103. Korea's second trio of Lee Nayoung, Kim Moonjeong and Jung Dawun, who topped the second squad, ended in third overall with 2096 with Jung scoring the highest three-games series of 782.

Chinese Taipei's second trio of Wang Ya-Ting, Chou Chia-Chen and Huang Chiung-Yao, who finished second to Korea in the second squad, settled for fourth position with 2065. Chinese Taipei's other trio of Chien Hsui-Lan, Chang Yu-Hsuan and Tsai Hsin-Yi completed the top five with 2056.

After two events and the first block of the Trios, Korea's Jung Dawun and Lee Nayoung occupied the top two spots in the Women's All Events standings with 3633 and 3626 respectively. Shalin Zulkifli is third with 3557.

Meanwhile, 2018 World Men's Championships Singles gold medallist, made amends after failing to make any impact in the Singles and the Doubles events by posting 763 series to add to Syafiq Ridhwan's 698 and Ahmad Muaz's 751 for the lead with 2212.

Korea's first trio of Choi Bokeum, Doubles bronze medallists, Kim Junyung and Kang Heewon, who led the opening squad, ended second overall with 2190. The second Korean trio of Park Geonha, Lee Ikkyu and Kim Kyungmin finished third overall with 2181 after leading the first two games of the second squad.

Khaled Aldubyyan, Jasem Alsaqer and 2015 Asian Championships Masters silver medallist, Mostafa Almousawi thrilled the large crowd of local supporters when they led the first two games of Squad 1 but were edged off top spot by Korea.

The first Kuwaiti trio, who ended in fourth overall with 2163 is hopeful of a place in the podium especially after trailing third spot by only 18 pins. The first Malaysian trio of Hafiz Zainuddin, Singles gold medallist, Timmy Tan and Tun Hakim rounded out the top five with 2137.

After two events and the first block of the Trios, Korea's Kim Junyung topped the Men's All Events standings with 3700 followed by Doubles silver medallist, Yeri Ramadona of Indonesia in second with 3692 and Mostafa Almousawi of Kuwait in third with 3676.

Squad 2 of the Trios event will resume with their second block of three games in the morning while Squad 1 will complete their second block in the afternoon. The top 3 Men's and Women's trios will be awarded the medals.

Competition will shift to the Team of 5 event, again over two blocks of three games on October 27 and 28. The top 16 women and top 16 men in their respective All Events standings will qualify for the Masters finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.