29th March, K.Lumpur: National Elite squad member, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia finally nailed his first home title when he defeated 2002 World Cup champion, Mika Luoto of Finland, 438-371 in the title match of the Canon 31st Malaysian International Open on Saturday.

Earning a bye into the third round after finishing pole in the local pool of the qualifying table, Zulmazran Zulkifli completed the 6-game Round 3 second with 1346 behind Jayson Tubid of the Philippines in front with 1349.

Zulmazran easily ousted eighth-seed, Cyrus Chueng of Hong Kong, 412-373 in the first hurdle to face off with Singapore's Jason Yeong-Nathan, who knocked out topseed, Jayson Tubid in the quarterfinals.

The Malaysian stepped up his gear to edge the Singaporean, 446-439 in the semifinals to book his spot in the title match against 2002 World Cup champion, Mika Luoto of Finland.

With the local crowd firmly behind the flamboyant Malaysian, Zulmazran

took the first match, 224-193 and the Finn had no answer for Zulmazran as he cruised to c comfortable 214-178 to win his first-ever international title on home soil and the RM30,000 top prize.

Mika Luoto, who disposed off Australia's Andrew Frawley in style with 495-410 just could get into gear during the match with the champion. The Finn was also allsome in the quarterfinals when he knocked out UAE's Hussain Al-Suwadi, 537-470.

Luoto settled for second and pocketed RM15,000 while Frawley took home RM6,000. Jason Yeong-Nathan also picked up RM6,000 despite finishing fourth as the loosing semifinalist.

Defending champion, Zandra Aziela almost gave Malaysia a double celebration but her hope of retaining the title fell off when she lost to Singapore's Jazreel Tan, 375-489 in the Ladies' title match.

Zandra, who had earlier finished fifth in Round 3 edged teammate, Shalin Zulkifli, 481-473 in the quarterfinals to set up yet another match with a fellow Malaysian, Sin Li Jane, who defeated seventh-seed, Siti Safiyah Amirah, 495-450 in her quarterfinal match.

But the 16-year-old Jane lost to Zandra in the semifinals, 403-471 allowing Zandra to have a crack at the title she took last year. Jazreel Tan also eliminated her teammate, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, 485-468 in the semi before going on to take the title.

The champion, who completed Round 3 as topseed, ousted eighth-seed, Zatil Iman, 401-386 in the quarterfinals before setting up the tie with Jasmine in the semi. The two-time Singapore National champion won RM15,000 for her effort.

Zandra settled for second to win RM7,000 while Sin Li Jane, who finished third took home RM3,000, the same amount as Jasmine, the loosing semifinalist.

Zulmazran will lead Kelvin Keong, Daniel Lim, Zandra Aziela and Sin Li Jane as Team Malaysia in the Canon Cup 2008 against Team Rest of the World made up of Mika Luoto, Andrew Frawley, Jason Yeong-Nathan, Jazreel Tan and Jasmine Yeong Nathan in a head-to-head team matches tomorrow LIVE on Astro Supersport at 1.00pm.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

28th March, K.Lumpur: Malaysian youths brought home a double victory in the Milo International Youth Open Masters titles as national youth, Tengku Emanina Laily and Kuala Lumpur's Aziem Azemi triumphed in the Girl's and Boy's divisions on Friday morning.

National youth, Dayang Khairuniza set a blistering pace to take the lead in her two opening games but soon found newly-selected national youth teammate, Hee Kar Yen a handful when Hee took over the lead after the first 3-game series.

Hee, who was last year's Junior Circuit GP Finals Graded champion had Singapore's Teo Li Ying breathing on her neck just 4 pins after the fourth game. Teo surged into the lead at the halfway mark with Hee trailing by 17 pins.

But the 16-year-old rebounded back to regain the lead after the seventh game and looked almost certain to win her first major title but a disasterous 160 in her final game saw the Kuala Lumpur youngster handing the crown to teammate, Tengku Emanina Laily of Kedah.

Tengku Emanina, who trailed Hee by 80 pins before the final game, stormed home with 257 to take the title with 2024 while Hee settled for second with 2007. Teo Li Ying finished third with 2002.

Kuala Lumpur's Aziem Azemi gave Malaysia a double victory when he snatched the Boy's Open Masters title with 2228 thanks to two strong game 9 and 10. National youth, Syimir Abdul Razak, who was leading prior to the final game, settled for second with 2181.

Hong Kong's Michael Tsang, who had trailed several different leaders in the 10-game finals, finished third with 2163 while Muhammad Fazrin Khairul Faizi of Perak, and Singapore's Eugene Low completed the top 5 in fourth and fifth position.

Meanwhile, 12-year-old National Graded Boy's champion, Muhammad Syafiq Sajeli of Sarawak, added another title to his impressive collection by bagging the Boy's Graded Masters crown with 2085. Early leader, Dinia Faliq Mokhtar of Melaka finished second with 2039, 46 pins adrift.

Johor's consistent youth, Chan Wei Siang did well to take third position with 2001 followed by Japan's Daisuke Horiguchi and Negeri Sembilan's Ros Qusyari completing the top 5 in fourth and fifth spots respectively.

The Girl's Graded Masters crown went to the in-form, Nur Diana Hussin of Kuala Lumpur when she amassed a total of 1915 with a comfortable margin of 44 pins. Pace-setter, Ainaa Khairina Bt Azman finished second with 1871.

Selangor's Siti Nur Fairuz Bt Zainal Abidin took third spot with 1845 ahead of top qualifer, Adlin Nadhirah Ghazli of Negeri Sembilan and Noor Amirah of Kedah rounding up the top 5.

The Men's and Ladies' Open Masters new format finals will be played this afternoon which will see qualifiers battling it out in Round 1. The top 8 at the end of this round will join the 4th to 6th seeded local and overseas ladies qualifiers and the 5th to 8th seeded local and overseas men qualifiers.

The field will be cut to 8 and will bowl another 6 games tomorrow together with the 1st to 3rd seeded local and overseas ladies qualifiers. The top 8 will then proceed to the elimination rounds where the highest seed will meet the lowest seed and so on.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

27th March, K.Lumpur: National Elite squad member, Zulmazran Zulkifli put himself on course for his first home title after a sizzling performance on the final day of qualifying in the Canon 31st Malayian International Open by shooting the tournament's third perfect game.

Zulmazran saved his best for last when he fired lines of 216, 279, 300 and 289 for a whopping total of 1084 to emerge as top qulifier in the local pool and overall standings for the Masters finals.

The 24-year-old had 28 consecutive strikes from the second to the fourth games. The 4-game score of 1084 is Zulmazran's second highest in his career. His best was 1117. And the flamboynt Malaysian, who had failed to make an impact in all his previous attempts to qualify last week, was determined to end well.

"I finally got my act right on the finals day of qualifying. If not, I would not even have made the cut for the finals. That would have been a big failure for me," he said. "I'm aware that the challenge will only get tougher from here - especially when the knockout format begins from the quarterfinals.

"Everyone is scoring high and even a score of 200 pins can be considered a flop here. My best was a runner-up spot in 2003. This time, there is a chance for me to nail it. Hopefully, I will get the break to win my first Malaysian Open title.

Zulmazran's top spot has earn him an automatic entry into Round 3 and is joined by overnight leader, Adrian Ang, Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan and Alex Liew. Zaid Izlan, Jonathan Lim, Kelvin Keong and Daniel Lim will move striaght into Round 2 for finishing fifth to eighth.

Two more perfect games were rolled on final day. The fourth perfect 300 came from Hong Kong's Rick Ng in the Men's Graded division while Wu Siu Hong shot the tournament's fifth.

Singapore's 2005 National champion, Jason Yeong-Nathan was in scintilating form, posting 1043 to top the overseas pool with Finn, Mika Luoto in second, Hong Kong's duo of Cyrus Cheung third and Wu Siu Hong fourth. The top 4 has also earn a bye to Round 3.

In the Ladies' division, 2007 Singapore Open champion, Zatil Iman stormed into top spot in the local pool with a superb 932 with lines of 234, 233, 228 and 237 dislodging arch rival and teammate, Sharon Koh into second and Siti Safiyah Amirah third earning all three a Round 3 appearance.

Syakirah Yeoh, defending champion, Zandra Aziela and Norhanizah Abu Bakar finished fourth to sixth to get a by into Round 2. Malaysia's pro-to-be, Shalin Zulkifli leads the rest of the qualifiers to battle for the top 8 positions in the 6-game Round 1 finals before moving on to Round 2.

Singapore's duo of Jazreel Tan and Amanda Ng also confirmed their spots in Round 3 finishing first and third with 934 and 928 respectively and is joined by Chinese Taipei's Wang Yu-Ling, who finished second with 932.

Teo Li Ying of Singapore, newcomer, Dyan Caronacion of the Philippines and Jasmine Yeong-Nathan made Round 2 after taking up fourth to sixth positions. The rest have to contest their Round 1 tomorrow.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

26th March, K.Lumpur: Reigning National Champion Sharon Koh already has one in the bag and hopes to make it a glorious double by capturing the Canon 31st Malaysian International Open Ladies' Masters crown this weekend after surging into the lead of the qualifying table.

The format of the championship this year will see a change with the introduction of the elimination rounds from the quarterfinals and the winner will be decided on a two-game total. Previously, only the stepladder finals adopted a knockout format.

Sharon showed her knack for rising to the occasion when it comes to knockout matches by winning the Masters gold in the World Youth Championships in Germany two years ago. She bagged her first Open title in the Taiwan last year and almost added to the trophy count in the Singapore Open, losing to teammate Zatil Iman in the stepladder Finals.

She has, however clinched her second women's Masters title in the national championships in January and with the revised format, she will set out to maintain her good record.

"Zandra won the Ladies' Open Masters title last year and I hope to be the one to win it this time," said the 20-year-old southpaw, who joined the national elite squad two years ago. "Now that I'm in the top four qualifiers for the Masters Finals, it would save me the trouble of having to play in the first two rounds.

Sharon has cemented her place in the national team since getting her break at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. The Kuala Lumpur-born bowler was also in the team who won the gold medal in the women's World Championships in Mexico last year and she also featured in the AMF World Cup in Russia.

Good performances will help enhance their chances to get selected for major assignments, including the Asian Championships in Hong Kong and the biennial World Youth Championships in the United States in July. Sharon shot into top spot with a scintilating display on a score of 927 relegating teammate and 2005 champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah on 922 into second followed by Syakirah Yeoh third on 917.

Defending champion, Zandra Aziela finished fourth and gained an automatic entry into Round 2 joined by Norhanizah Abu Bakar and Zatil Iman. The rest in the local pool has to battle it out in the 6-game Round 1 and finish in the top 8 to make Round 2.

Meanwhile, Zulmazran Zulkifli, who was ninth in the reserves list, shot the tournament's third perfect game to take up top spot in the Men's Open Masters finals with a total of 1084 which has earned him a bye into Round 3 and the seventh daily Canon high series prize of a PowerShot A560 digital camera.

Joing Zulamzran from the local pool are overnight leader, Adrian Ang, Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan and Alex Liew into Round 3 while Zaid Izlan will lead Jonathan Lim, Kelvin Keong and Daniel Lim for Round 2. The rest have to battle it out in Round 1.

Hong Kong's Cyrus Cheung picked up the sixth daily Canon high series prize of a digital camera with 1004 to finish second in the overseaspool and

joining top qualifier, Mika Luoto of Finland, fellow-countrymen, Wu Siu Hong and Kuwait's Bazel Al-Anzi for Round 3.

Filipino, Jonee Gatchalian, Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang, Qatar's Manssor Al-Awami and Aussie, George Frilingos finished fifth to eighth positions to make Round 2 automatically with the rest of the field having to contest Round 1 on Friday.

Qualifying ends tomorrow (March 27) with the last squad for the youths at 6.00pm and the last squad for the adults at 10.30pm. Bowlers who failed to make the cut could still do so by taking part in the Desperado squad at 12.00 midnight.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

25th March, K.Lumpur: Former champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah, hopes to regain the women's title she won in 2005 when the Malaysian National Elite squad member topped the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table of the on-going Canon 31st Malaysian International Open.

The 17-year-old created a histroy when she became the youngest-ever to win the coveted crown in 2005 at the age of just 14. Since then, Siti Safiyah has come of age stringing together many international titles.

Siti Safiyah was most impressive in 2006 winning back-to-back titles in the Milo International Junior All Stars and the Penang International Open. In 2007 she also helped Malaysia captured the Team Gold at the Korat SEA Games in Bangkok. She amassed a 4-game total of 922 to top the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table.

National backup elite squad member, Syakirah Yeoh improved tenth overnight to second with a superb 917 while defending champion, Zandra Aziela, who is hoping to make the cut straight into Round 3 by being the top 3 qualifiers, finished third with 905.

In the overseas front, Women's World Championship Masters silver medalist, Jazreel Tan impressed by leading her teammate, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan for Singapore to occupy the top 2 positions. Jazreel posted 934 while Jasmine downed 911. Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung of Korea was third with 878.

While the top 3 positions in the Men's Open Masters local pool remained unchanged with Adrian Ang, Muhd SYafiq Ridhwan and Alex Liew from first to third, national youth, Rodson Tong squeezed into 10th position with 910 pushing Jonathan Lim into the mixed pool.

2002 AMF World Cup and 2003 World Championship Singles gold medalist, Mika Luoto of Finland, stormed into the lead of the overseas pool with a scintilating 1018 as Kuwait's Bazel Al-Anzi improved from 908 to 998 to take up second spot.

Last year's Hong Kong Open champion, Wu Siu Hong finished third with 994 followed by Qatar's Mansoor Al-Awami and George Frilingos of Australia making up the top 5 with 987 and 986 respectively.

Qualifying will end Thursday (March 27) and the Masters finals will be held on March 28 and 29. The top 5 local (3 men and 2 women) will make up the Team Malaysia to challenge Team Rest of the World from the top 5 overseas (3 men and 2 women) in the Canon Cup 2008 on Saturday, March 30 to be telecast LIVE on Astro Supersport commencing at 1.00pm.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

24th March, K.Lumpur: National youth, Dayang Khairuniza from Sarawak won the Canon third daily 4-game highest series of 964 en-route to leading the Youth Girl's Open Masters qualifying table of the Canon 31st Malaysian International Open.

Dayang Khairuniza, whose best effort was 867 posted earlier, improved on her score to 964 to continue to top the Youth Girl's Open Masters qualifying table. She also won a Canon PowerShot A560 digital camera for scoring the third daily highest 4-game series.

2006 National youth champion, Nor Amilia Bt Mohd Noor of Selangor finished second with 848 ahead of newly-selected national youth and Junior Circuit GP Finals Girl's Graded champion, Hee Kar Yen of Kuala Lumpur in third with 843.

Meanwhile, Aziem Azemi of Kuala Lumpur, topped the Boy's Open Masters table with 999 followed by Xavian Ang of Selangor in second with 953 followed by another newly-selected national youth, Afiq Rifqi B Lahat Dadok of Johor third on 939.

Last year's Selangor Super Classic champion, Alex Liew, who was the first bowler to win the Canon daily 4-game highest series digital camera, remained third in the Men's Open Masters table on 1021.

2007 Milo International Junior All Stars champion, Adrian Ang continued to lead the table with 1058 and became the second bowler to win the Canon daily 4-game highest series. PBAP Classic champion, Syafiq Ridhwan took second spot with 1054.

Foreign bowlers started their qualifying rounds today with Hussian Al-Suwaidi of UAE leading the Men's Open Masters overseas pool with 957. Korea's Kim Ko Woon took second place with 948 and Bazel Al-Anzi of Kuwait third with 908.

2006 All Stars Girl's champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah shot to the front of the Ladie's Open Masters qualifying table with a superb 922 pushing down overnight leader, Shalin Zulkifli into second spot with 892.

Reigning National women champion, Sharon Koh improved to take up third with 877 as perfect gamer and current Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung of Korea led the overseas pool with 878. Indonesia's Happy Soediyono finished second to Kim on 877.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

22nd March, K.Lumpur: 2006 National champion, Adrian Ang of Malaysia looks poised for the coveted Men's Open Masters title of the Canon 31st Malaysian International Open after taking over the lead in the qualifying table on Saturday.

The 2007 Euromed-Storm Masters and 2007 Milo Junior All Stars champion was on fire when Adrian Ang took to the lanes at Pyramid Mega Lanes at the 3.00pm squad. Setting a cracking pace of 259, the youngster almost shot the tournament's second perfect game but missing by 1 pin.

The Malaysian national Elite squad member followed it up with 266 and 234 for a scintilating 1058 to take over pole position and dislodging overnight leader and fellow-countrymen, Syafiq Ridhwan down to second. Syafiq, who won his first international title by capturing the 2007 PBAP Classic champion, shot 1054 for the lead two days ago.

2007 Selangor Super Classic champion, Alex Liew shot 1021 on Friday to

win a Canon digital camera for the day's highest 4-game, took third spot. Adrian also looked set to claim the second camera for today's highest 4-game series.

Meanwhile, Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung of Korea, who shot the tournament's first perfect game remained top of the Ladies' Open Masters overall table as well as topping the overseas pool. Indonesia's Happy Soediyono finished second with 877.

The lead in the local pool sent to national Elite squad member, Choy Poh Lai with a score of 872. Choy, who was laid off after sustaining an angle injury towards the end of last year, made made good progress to occupy top spot.

2006 National Youth champion, Nor Amilia Bt Mohd Nor of Selangor Elite squad, finished second with 868 followed by last year's Chinese Taipei Open Youth champion, Christyn Chew on 866.

Overseas participants are expected to arrive this weekend and would take to the lanes for their qualifying rounds which ends March 27. The Masters finals will be held on March 28 and 29.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

20th March, K.Lumpur: Siti Nur Zulaikha of Selangor and Wan Nadzmi Fikri of Kuala Lumpur captured the inaugural Canon Junior Cup 2008 held after the official opening ceremony of the Canon 31st Malaysian International Open at Pyramid Mega Lanes.

Siti Nur Zulhaika Bte Ismail of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Saujana posted an impressive 672 over the four games finals to clinch the Canon Junior Cup Girl's under-12 division. The 10-year-old set a cracking pace with 208 followed by 152, 162 and 150 for her first-ever victory.

Qistina Zainal Fitri, also of Selangor, settled for second with 649 as Natasha gave Selangor the top 3 positions with a third place finish with 631. The Boy's title went to Wan Nadzim Fikri of Kuala Lumpur with a score of 734.

The 12-year-old Std Six pupil from Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Selangor, cruised to victory with 200, 213, 163 and 158 finishing 64 pins clear of his nearest opponent. Selangor's Muhammad Nadzreen B Nadzri and Muhd

Sharifudin Khairudin claimed second and third spots with 670 and 659 respectively.

A total of 48 youths aged 12 and below took part in the inaugural event, sponsored by Canon Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd. The champions received a Canon Powershot A 560 digital camera worth RM799 each while Wan Nadzim also won a trophy.

A total of 20 teams from the press and media contested the Media Team Challenge in which Team SEN Sport and Events Network represented by Jefri Hassan, Sabhannur Anuwar and Ezatul Farita emerged the champion with a team total of 1438.

Editorial Team B from Bernama represented by Azlina Aziz, Borhanuddin and Abdul Halim Hafiz finished second with 1406 while third place went to The Star team of Yati, Shaari Che Mat and Kumar with 1386. The players of the champion was awarded a Canon Powershot A 560 digital camera each for their effort.

Earlier, MTBC Patron and Sports Commissioner, Y.Bhg Tan Sri Dato' Dr Elyas Omar officiated the official opening ceremony of the 31st edition of

the immensely popular Malaysian International Open at Pyramid Mega Lanes as guest of honour.

Tan Sri Dato' Dr Elyas rolled off a bowling ball to declare the championship opened witnessed by representatives of sponsors, distinquished guests, MTBC councillors and bowlers.

Meanwhile, National backup squad member and 2007 PBAP Classic champion, Syafiq RIqhwan was in superb form when he amassed a total of 1054 with a flawless line of 269, 280, 280 and 225 on Wednesday 5pm squad to top the Men's Open Masters local qualifying table.

Asian Ranked No. 1 and ABF Tour Hong Kong leg champion, Kim Eun Jung of Korea shot the tournament's first perfect game en-route to topping the Ladies' Open Masters overseas pool. The Korean shot 200, 300, 174 and 204 for a total of 878.

Qualifying for local bowlers will end this weekend whilst overseas and outstation participants will be able to make their qualifying rounds till March 27. Masters finals will be held on March 28 and 29.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

17th March, K.Lumpur: Four women bowlers from Iran arrived last Friday to compete for the first time in the Canon 31st Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship which will kick off on Tuesday at Pyramid Mega Lanes.

The bowlers, who are all bowlers in the graded division, had several practice sessions at Pyramid Mega Lanes at Sunway Pyramid to familarise with the conditions and get themselves ready for the tournament.

"We're all very excited to participate our first international open tournament outside Iran," said Maryam Hemaiar Tabatabaie, the 23-year-old Sport Science student of the Rajaee University in Teheran.

Iran Bowling Federation was established at Teheran 16 years ago and their bowlers have participated in several AMF Bowling World Cups, Asian Championships and the World Championships with their men's team. There are three bowling centers in Teheran, two of which are the biggest center in the country with 24 lanes each.

"This is the first time we're sending our women bowlers in an open tournament and we're here on a learning trip. We do not have high expectation for them as they're all bowling only in the graded division," said Team Manager, Hossein Omid Ali.

The four women, who are all university students in Teheran and Varamin City, have joined the Iran Bowling national team for about two years. They will start their masters qualifying rounds on the first day of the championship kicking off on March 18.

Qualifying for local bowlers will end this Sunday March 23 whilst from March 24 onwards, the qualifying squads will be reserved for oustation and overseas participants. Masters finals will commence Friday, March 28.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.