24th September, Bangkok: Singles gold and triple silver medalist, Muhammad Hafiz Zainuddin and triple gold medalist, Rafiq Ismail of Malaysia completed the first block Masters Finals of the 27th MWA Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships 2024 in first and third with Korea's Park Dong Hyuk splitting the duo in second.

Zainuddin had a sizzling start beating team-mate, Ismail 278-268 in his opening match and a bonus of 10 point to lead the pack. Doubles silver medalist, Park Dong Hyuk defeated his compatriot, Lee Ik Kyu 259-179 to trail Hafiz by 19 pins and ahead of Rafiq.

Park won his second match with 253 to overtake Zainuddin as the Malaysian lost his match with 233. Ismail also lost his second match with 220 but remained in third. The Korean continued to lead after another win in the third match with 245.

Zainuddin and Ismail both also won their matches with 228 and 248 respectively to stay close to the Korean. As both Park and Zainuddin lost their fourth match, Rafiq won his with 233 to inch closer to the leading duo. Zainuddin bounced back brilliantly with a 279 win in the fifth and a 246 win in the sixth moving him to the lead.

Park failed to win his next two matches and not only slipping down to second but leaving a gap of 62 behind the leader. Despite a 170 lost in the seventh match, Hafiz ended the block with his fifth win with 277 for top spot with a total of 1932.

Park won one of his last two matches to finish second with 1882 from four wins in total. Ismail took third spot with 1863 from five wins. Perfect gamer and Singles co-siler medalist, Jarrod Langford of Australia finished a creditable fourth with 1838.

Sole Filipino finalist, Artegal Barrientos, who had a poor start in his first three matches, recovered to win his next five matches to round out the top five with 1739. The men will resume with their second block tomorrow morning. The top 3 men at the end of the second block will proceed to the Stepladder Shootout Finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok, Thailand.