25th September, Bangkok: Triple gold medalist, Rafiq Ismail and two gold medalist, Sin Li Jane emerged as Men's and Women's Masters champions of the 27th MWA Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships 2024 cementing Malaysia the overall champions as Hafiz Zainuddin and Natasha Roslan picked up the bronze medals.

Ismail, who was 23 pins down after losing the all-lefty first match, 188-211 after suffering three splits, bounced back brilliantly with six strikes-in-a-row in the second match to open up a 29 pins advantage despite his challenger and winner of the semi-finals, Park Dong Hyuk of Korea rolling four consecutive strikes.

The top seed and defending champion then struck home with five more strikes to end the match with 278 for a two-game total pinfalls of 466 over the 23-year-old Korean's 435 to seal victory and his fourth gold medal of the championships.

Park, who was seeded third, had earlier easily dispatched second-seed, Hafiz Zainuddin of Malaysia, 255-207 to advance to the final to challenge Ismail.

Malaysia also dominated the women's division after Sin Li Jane defeated challenger and winner of the semi-finals, Jung Da Wun of Korea, 246-244 and 227-198 to win her third gold medal with a 473-442 victory in the title match.

Jung, who was seeded third, easily ousted second-seed, Natasha Roslan, 248-176 in the semi-finals to face Sin in the final. The champion topped the Masters finals with 3645 from four wins in the second block and four wins in the first block.

Roslan, who was tussling for the lead with her Malaysian team-mate, lost the position round to Sin but still ended the finals in second position with 3600. Jung defeated her team-mate, Jeong Jeong Yoon, 249-213 to clinch the third and final stepladder spot with 3591 from a total of nine wins over two blocks.

Malaysia topped the Women's overall medal standings with a medal haul of 3-2-2. Singapore won two gold and one silver medal to finish second. Korea with a haul of 1-2-2 took third spot.

Trophies were presented to the Men's overall winner, Women's overall winner and the Overall Champion of this championships. Dr Danny Santos, Tournament Director also presented trophies to the 2023 Asian Women Bowlers of the Year while Mr Michael Seymour, CEO of IBF presented the trophies to the 2023 Asian Men Bowlers of the Year.

Mr Wiwatchai Ratanarat, Vice President of Thai Tenpin Bowling Association delivered his closing speech after which the ABF flag was handed by Ms Suwalai Saturlee, secretary general of TTBA who in turn handed it to Ayad Alamiri, official for Kuwait, who will be the next Asian Championship host in 2026.

A total of 119 men, 80 women and 68 team official participated in the 27th MWA Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships 2024. All participants, officials, sponsors, partners and guests were treated to the victory banquet held at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok, Thailand.