5th December, Hong Kong: AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour Indonesia Leg champion and top-seed Wu Siu Hong from Hong Kong emerged the men's champion of the 29th Hong Kong International Open while Malaysia's Wendy Chai triumphed over teamate Lai Kin Ngoh for the women's crown at SCAA Bowling Centre.

Wu, the World Youth Championship Gold medalist, won the coveted Masters title after starving off the challenge of 6th-seed and winner of the second stepladder match, Paek Seung Yoon of Korea in the sudden-death game 231-221. Paek had ealier taken the first match 233-226 before settling for 1st runner-up.

The 19 year-old student from Hong Kong, who laid off bowling to concentrate on his studies last year, came back strongly this year. Winner of 2001 ABT China and Hong Kong leg, Wu went on to win the Masters Gold medal in the World Youth Championship in Pattaya. Ranked No. 1 in Asia in 2001, Wu finished 1st runner-up in the ABT Grand Slam Finals in Singapore in January 2002. Since his comeback, he has won the inaugural ABT Indonesia leg in October this year before this win in front of a large home crowd.

Earlier, 5th-seed Paek Seung Yoon from Korea knocked out 4th-seed Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli (223) and 6th-seed Biboy Rivera (169) with a score of 229 in the men's first stepladder match. Paek then went on to demolish 2nd-seed Mohd Nadri (225) and 3rd-seed Daniel Lim (221) in the second match with a high game of 247 before going down to the champion.

Meanwhile, 2nd-seed Lai Kin Ngoh of Malaysia forced top-seed and teammate Wendy Chai to a sudden-death triller after she took the first game 235-222. But Chai, the two-time Singapore Open champion settled down to take the deciding game 218-204 for the women's crown. The win made amends for the 26 year-old after she failed to defend her title in Singapore last month. Philippines Open champion, Liza del Rosario took the women's first stepladder match after defeating 4th-seed Cecilia Yap (176) of the Philippines and Singapore Open champion, Evelyn Chan (202) with a high game of 247.

In the second match however, Rosario failed to proceed further going down with a low score of 166 to Shalin Zulkifli's 194 and the eventual champion, Lai Kin Ngoh's 225. Shalin settled for third while Rosario finished 4th.

The top 14 men and women will now prepare for the the fifth and final leg of the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour 2003 Hong Kong Leg on 6 and 7 December.

Photos courtesy of STBC/MTBC.

5th December, Hong Kong: Wendy Chai qualified for the stepladder finals to make a Malaysian 1-2-3 finish of the Women's 2nd block finals while Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong topped the round ahead of three Malaysians in 2-3-4 in the 29th Hong Kong International Open.

The two-time Singapore Open, Wendy Chai continued her fine form to take pole position with 1725 for a total of 3602 after the second block of 8 games this morning. The overnight leader was followed by SEA Games Masters Gold medalist, Lai Kin Ngoh with 3598 and Shalin Zulkifli with 3523 in 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

Three other bowlers who made the top 6 stepladder were Philippines' Cecilia Yap and Liza Del Rosario in 4th and 5th spots while Singapore Open Champion Evelyn Chan made the cut in 6th. The 4th, 5th and 6th seeded bowlers will bowl in the first match of the stepladder. The winner will then meet 2nd and 3rd seeds in the second match and the champion will be declared between the winner of the second match and the top seed after a one plus one grand final match.

Irene Garcia (PHI-3354), Liza Clutario (PHI-3332), Putty Armein (INA-3285), Kong Ying Chu, Phoebe (HKG-3282), Lee Siu Lin, Cookie (HKG-3259), Sarah Yap (MAS-3247), Naoko Sekine (JPN-321) and Hiroko Shimizu (JPN-3205) qualified for the ABT Hong Kong leg finishing 7th to 14th places.

AVIVA ABT Indonesia leg champion, Wu Siu Hong from Hong Kong prevented Malaysia almost dominating the men's division by finishing top with 1870 for a total of 3725 ahead of Santa Claus Open champion and scorer of the second perfect game, Mohd Nadri in second on 3700.

First block leader and scorer of the 4th perfect game, Daniel Lim settled for third with 3675 followed by teammate and two-time Asian Bowling Tour winner Zulmazran Zulkifli in 4th with 3656. Two other bowlers who made the stepladder were Paek Seung Joon of Korea in 5th with 3625 and Biboy Rivera of Philippines in 6th place with 3604.

Choi Suk Woon (KOR-3601), Alvin Kwang (SIN-3592), Tom Hahl (SIN-3554), Ryan Lalisang (INA-3534), Paulo Valdez (PHI-3515), York Poon (KOR-3513), Shaun Ng (SIN-3483) amd Lee Sung Il (KOR-3469) made the cut for the ABT

Hong Kong leg. The top 6 from each division are awaiting to play in the stepladder finals at press time.

Photos courtesy of Mr Sidney Tung, Secretary General/MTBC.

4th December, Hong Kong: Malaysia's Daniel Lim and Wendy Chai took pole positions in the Men's and Women's first block Masters finals of the 29th Hong Kong International Open at SCAA Bowling Centre. Sharon Koh of Malaysia also took the Women's Graded Masters title earlier.

Lim, the World Tenpin Team Cup Gold medalist, was on devastating form after becoming the fourth bowler to record a perfect game in the 5th game of the first block Masters finals. But his score of 1871 was only 16 pins ahead of World Youth Championship Gold medalist and AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour Indonesia leg champion, Wu Siu Hong who scored 1855.

Wu is sandwiched between Lim and Santo Calus Open champion Mohd Nadri, who bowled consistently to stay within striking distance with the leaders 43 pins away on 1828. Malaysia dominated by having two-time ABT winner, Zulmazran Zulkifli in 4th position with 1811 followed by Korea's Choi Suk Woon (1783) and Paek Seung Joon (1770) in 5th and 6th spots.

Top qualifier, Remy Ong (1762) of Singapore, Korea's teenager Choi Bok Eum (1761), China's York Poon (1758) and 2001 ABT Grand Slam champion, Lee Sung Il (1754) finished amongst the top 10.

Malaysia could not ask for a better showing than having two-time Singapore Open champion, Wendy Chai leading the women's division. Chai, the Busan Asian Games Doubles Gold medalist had a good start and never looked back to top the field with 1877. Chai leads teammate and SEA Games Masters Gold medalist, Lai Kin Ngoh who scored 1828 while Filipino lass Irene Garcia (1790) got the better of her teammate to finish 3rd ahead of Philippines Open champion, Liza del Rosario (1769).

Four-time Asian Ranked No. 1, Shalin Zulkifli gave Malaysia a good day in the women's division by finishing 5th on 1741. Cookie Lee (1683) was the best finisher for Hong Kong in 6th, Philippines' Cecilia Yap (1677), Liza Clutario (1668), Phoebe Kong (1665) and Singapore Open champion Evelyn Chan (1645) rounded up the top 10.

Meanwhile, Korean youths had a field day when they took the top 4 places of the Youth Masters finals. Cha Jong Hun claimed the title with 2237 followed by Bae Soo Wook oin second with 2228 while Moon Jun Oh and Kim Jong Wook completed the top 4 with 2218 and 2169 respectively.

Malaysia had a 1-2 finish in the Women's Graded finals when Asian Schools Silver medalist, Sharon Koh scored 2063 to capture her first title on foreign soil. The 16 year-old took the lead from Game 2 onwards and bowled consistently to finished ahead of teammate, Zatil Iman who took 2nd spot with 1863. Philippines' Elaine Florencio took 3rd place with 1828.

Sharing the Masters finals domination was Korea when they again took the top 4 positions of the Men's Graded finals. Kim Jong Wook claimed his title with 3116 over 14 games from Ko Suk Hwan in second with 3099 while Bae Soo Wook and Moon Jun Oh were placed 3rd and 4th with 3044 and 3040 respectively.

The second block of 8 games with scores carried forward, will be contested tomorrow 5th December. At the end of the 16 games finals, the top 6 from

each division will make the cut for the Stepladder Grand finals to determine the champion. The top 14 Asian men and 14 Asian women at the end of the Masters Final will be eligible to participate in the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour, Hong Kong Leg.

Photos courtesy of Mr Sidney Tung, Secretary General/MTBC.

3rd December, Hong Kong: A field of top Asian bowlers who qualified for the 29th Hong Kong International Open Masters finals will battle it out while Malaysia's Jonathan Lim became the third bowler to score the perfect game.

Heading the Men's division was overnight leader and Busan Asian Games Triple Gold medalist, Remy Ong with 1058 followed by Asian Intercity Singles Gold medalist, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia in second with 1032 while World Tenpin Team Cup Gold medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli from Malaysia scored 1020 for 3rd spot.

Hong Kong's Alfred Pang maintained top position in the local pool with 967 followed by Cyrus Cheung on 955. Cyrus was the first bowler to score the perfect game and will share the HK$50,000 with Malaysia's Mohd Nadri and Jonathan Lim if no one else scores another perfect game in the championship.

Leading the local charge are Ken Li, AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour Indonesia Leg champion Wu Siu Hong and Daniel Yiu from the seeded local pool.

Some of the top Asian men making the finals are 2003 ABT Malaysia Leg champion Paulo Valdez (PHI-1014), teenage sensation Choi Bok Eum (KOR-1009), World Championship Singles Bronze medalist, Duane Camacho (GUAM-1006), second perfect game scorer and Santa Claus Open champion, Mohd Nadri (MAS-994), last year's ABT Hong Kong leg champion, Chester King (PHI-993), 2001 ABT Grand Slam champion, Lee Sung Il (KOR-958) and many more. This impressive list promises to be one of the best International Open Masters finals for 2003.

Meanwhile in the women's division, Malaysian Open champion and World Championship Trios Gold medalist, Liza del Rosario topped the table and became the first women to hit the 1,000 mark. Rosario lead from three-time Asian Ranked No. 1 and World Championship Team Gold medalist, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia who scored 941 while Sarah Yap stormed in 3rd spot with 939.

Leading the Hong Kong women's challenge are ABT Indonesia Leg champion Vanessa Fung, Phoebe Kong and Cookie Lee from the seeded local pool.

Joining the finalists are some of Asia's top women bowlers such as SEA Games Masters Gold medalist, Lai Kin Ngoh (MAS-936), Asian Intercity two Gold medalist, Liza Clutario (PHI-934), two-time Singapore Open champion, Wendy Chai (MAS-931), 2001 ABT Hong Kong Leg champion, Hiroku

Shimizu (JPN-920), World Championship Trios Gold medalist Cecilia Yap (PHI-916), this year's Singapore Open champion Evelyn Chan (SIN-909) and a host of top women bowlers from China and Chinese Taipei.

The top 35 men and the defending champion Tom Hahl from Singapore together with the top 27 and the defending champion Koo Hyun Jee from Korea will commence their first block of 8 games Masters finals tomorrow (4th December) and the second block of another 8 games on Friday (5th December). The top 6 from each division will make the cut for the Stepladder Grand Finals. The top 14 Asian men and 14 Asian women at the end of the Masters Final will be eligible to participate in the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour, Hong Kong Leg.

Photos courtesy of MTBC.

2nd December, Hong Kong: Lead changed hands in the Masters qualifying table as competition heats up in the 29th Hong Kong International Open with Singapore's Remy Ong and Philippines' Liza del Rosario moving to the top.

Ong, the 25 year-old proshop owner, who took the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour Singapore Ranking leg just last month scored an incredible 1058 and averaging 264.5 to take over the lead. The Busan Asian Games triple Gold medalist who is 9th in the Asian Ranking will be hoping to do well to earn a spot in the World Ranking Masters 2004.

Overnight leader, Ryan Lalisang dropped to 2nd with 1032 while Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli improved from 8th to 3rd with a score of 1020.

Hong Kong's Alfred Pang maintained top position in the local pool with 967 followed by Cyrus Cheung on 955. Cyrus was the first bowler to score the perfect game and will share the HK$50,000 with Mohd Nadri if no one else scores another perfect game in the championship.

Four Hong Kong national bowlers, Ken Li, AVIVA ABT Indonesia Leg champion Wu Siu Hong, Daniel Yiu and Mathew Yu are the seeded bowlers in the Men's local Masters qualifying pool.

In the women's division, Malaysian Open champion and World Championship Trios Gold medalist, Liza del Rosario took the lead and became the first women to hit the 1,000 mark. Rosario lead from three-time Asian Ranked No. 1 and World Championship Team Gold medalist, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia who scored 941 while Lai Kin Ngoh took 3rd spot with 936. 17th Asian Intercity championship two Gold medalist, Liza Clutario of the Philippines came in 4th with 934 followed by China's Wu Yan Ling in 5th with 918.

Four Hong Kong national bowlers, ABT Indonesia Leg champion Vanessa Fung, Phoebe Kong, Cookie Lee and Veronica Wong are the seeded bowlers in the Women's local Masters qualifying pool.

There were no changes in the local pool with Melody Yeung maintaining her lead with 891 followed by Jenny Ho with 867 in 2nd while Joey Yip was a distant 3rd on 825.

Qualifying will end tomorrow, 3rd December and the Masters finals will be played on the 4th and 5th. The Hong Kong International Open is the qualifying round for the fifth and final leg of the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour 2003, which will be held on 6 - 7 December 2003. The top 14 Asian men and 14 Asian women in the Open Masters Final will be eligible to participate in the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour, Hong Kong Leg.

Photos courtesy of MTBC.

1st December, Hong Kong: Asian Intercity Singles Gold medalist, Ryan Leonard Lalisang from Indonesia took over the lead in the Men's Masters qualifying table of the 29th Hong Kong International Open while Malaysia's Shalin Zulkifli occupied top spot in the Women's.

The Indonesian top bowler scored 1032 to take over the lead in the Men's overseas qualifying table from Mohd Nadri of Malaysia. The 18 year-old youngster, who scored the second perfect game of 300 on his first attempt two days ago, dropped to second with 994 while last year's Asian Bowling Tour Hong Kong leg champion, Chester King occupied 3rd spot with 993.

Hong Kong's Alfred Pang topped the local pool with 967 and 4th overall followed by Cyrus Cheung on 955. Cyrus was the first bowler to score the perfect game and will share the HK$50,000 with Mohd Nadri if no one else scores another perfect game in the championship.

Four Hong Kong national bowlers, Ken Li, AVIVA ABT Indonesia Leg champion Wu Siu Hong, Daniel Yiu and Mathew Yu are the seeded bowlers in the Men's local Masters qualifying pool.

In the women's division, three-time Asian Ranked No. 1 and World Championship Team Gold medalist, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia stormed to the lead with a superb 941 from teammate, Lai Kin Ngoh who scored 936. China's newcomer, Wu Yan Ling impressed with 918 to take 3rd spot while two Gold medalist of the 17th Asian Intercity championship, Liza Clutario of the Philippines came in 4th with 911. Early leader Carmen Huang from China completed the top 5 with 910.

Four Hong Kong national bowlers, ABT Indonesia Leg champion Vanessa Fung, Phoebe Kong, Cookie Lee and Veronica Wong are the seeded bowlers in the Women's local Masters qualifying pool.

Melody Yeung continued to the local pool with 891 followed by Jenny Ho with 867 while Joey Yip was a distant 3rd on 825.

Qualifying continues through to 3rd December and the Masters finals will be played on the 4th and 5th. The Hong Kong International Open is the qualifying round for the fifth and final leg of the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour 2003, which will be held on 6 - 7 December 2003. The top 14 Asian men and 14 Asian women in the Open Masters Final will be eligible to participate in the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour, Hong Kong Leg.

Photos courtesy of HKTBC and MTBC.

29th November, Hong Kong: Mohd Nadri from Malaysia scored a perfect game en-route to taking top spot of the Master's qualifying table in the 29th Hong Kong International Open at SCAA Bowling Centre. Nadri achieved the perfect feat with lines of 214, 235, 300 and 245 in his first attempt.

The 18 year-old youngster, who won the Santa Claus Open early this month in Singapore, was the second bowler to hit the perfect game and will share the HK$50,000 prize money if no one else scores the perfect 300. Hong Kong's Cyrus Cheung who shot the first perfect game yesterday, occupied second place overall and topping the local pool with 955 to push down overnight leader, Chris Chui to third on 951.

Four Hong Kong national bowlers, Ken Li, AVIVA ABT Indonesia Leg champion Wu Siu Hong, Daniel Yiu and Mathew Yu are the seeded bowlers in the Men's local Masters qualifying pool. Norman Law (922), Frankie Cheung (919) and Ng K.H. (917) completed the top 10 local qualifiers.

Yoo Chung Hee from Korea finsihed second in the overseas pool with a score of 865 followed by Machon Jose Manuel from Macau with 824 in third.

In the women's division, China's Carmen Huang took over the lead with a superb 910 followed by World Championship Team Gold medalist, Lai Kin Ngoh from Malaysia in second with 892 while another Chinese, Zhang Chun Li took third spot with 789. Jenny Ho continued to lead the local pool with a score of 867 with ex-international, Melody Yeung in second spot scoring 830. Newcomer Sirring Lee took third place with 814.

Four Hong Kong national bowlers, ABT Indonesia Leg champion Vanessa Fung, Phoebe Kong, Cookie Lee and Veronica Wong are the seeded bowlers in the Women's local Masters qualifying pool.

PBAP-Bevida Classic champion, Tang Joh Six from Malaysia took up fourth with 724. Korea's Koo Hyun-Jee, a Gold medalist in the 17th Asian Intercity Championship in Manila last week, is the women's defending champion.

Qualifying continues through to 3rd December and the Masters finals will be played on the 4th and 5th. The Hong Kong International Open is the qualifying round for the fifth and final leg of the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour 2003, which will be held on 6 - 7 December 2003. The top 14 Asian men and 14 Asian women in the Open Masters Final will be eligible to participate in the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour, Hong Kong Leg.

Photos courtesy of ESPN Star Sports.

28th November, Hong Kong: Local bowlers, Chris Chui and Jenny Ho took the early lead of the Men's and Women's Masters qualifying table in the 29th Hong Kong International Open underway at SCAA Bowling Centre. Chris Chui scored 951 to take lead in the Men's Masters qualifying local pool for an impressive average of 237.75.

Newcomer, Gino Ma was also impressed with a score of 913 and an average of 228.75 for second spot while Rocky Hui finished third with 905.

Four Hong Kong national bowlers, Ken Li, AVIVA ABT Indonesia Leg champion Wu Siu Hong, Daniel Yiu and Mathew Yu are the seeded bowlers in the Men's local Masters qualifying pool. Ng K.H.(883), Yung Wai Keung (881) and Eric Lau (881) completed the top 10 local qualifiers.

Yoo Chung Hee from Korea topped the overseas pool with a score of 865 followed by Machon Jose Manuel from Macau with 703. These scores will bettered once the majority of the overseas bowlers arrive Hong Kong early next week.

In the women's division, Jenny Ho topped the local pool with a score of 867 for an average of 216.75 followed by ex-international, Melody Yeung in second spot scoring 830. Newcomer Sirring Lee took third place with 814.

Four Hong Kong national bowlers, ABT Indonesia Leg champion Vanessa Fung, Phoebe Kong, Cookie Lee and Veronica Wong are the seeded bowlers in the Women's local Masters qualifying pool.

In the overseas pool, Carman Huang from China scored 910 to take the overall lead from Malaysia's Lai Kin Ngoh who scored 892 for second place. Zhang Chun Li also from China downed 768 for third spot while another Malaysian, Tang Joh Six took up fourth with 724. Korea's Koo Hyun-Jee, a Gold medalist in the 17th Asian Intercity Championship in Manila last week, is the women's defending champion.

Qualifying continues through to 3rd December and the Masters finals will be played on the 4th and 5th. The Hong Kong International Open is the qualifying round for the fifth and final leg of the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour 2003, which will be held on 6 - 7 December 2003. The top 14 Asian men and 14 Asian women in the Open Masters Final will be eligible to participate in the AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour, Hong Kong Leg.

Photos courtesy of ESPN Star Sports.