13th May, Bangkok: Esther Cheah of Malaysia, claimed her maiden international title after she fought back gallantly to defeat challenger, Chien Hsiu Len of Chinese Taipei, 249-189 in the women's final stepladder match of the 31st Thailand International Bowling Championship just concluded Friday afternoon.

Cheah, who led the the first block yesterday, continued her superb form in today's second block of eight games finishing top yet again with a total score of 3814. In the first match against the challenger, Chien Hsiu Len of Chinese Taipei, Cheah had two open frames to finish with 167 while Chien had a smooth sailing game of 234.

Displaying sheer determination and courage, the 19-year-old built up an unsurmountable margin with six strikes in a row from frame 2 onwards. Several unforced errors saw the challenger opening two frames this time and by the halfway mark, it was all over and Cheah was certain of her victory.

"After finishing the second block, we had to wait a while before the stepladder finals got going and the wait must have been too long," said the

beaming champion. "I was unable to get good grip on the bowling ball and hence my delivery was way off tha target. Fortunately, after the first game, I got warmed up and was back to my usual self.

Chien Hsiu Len settled for second despite defeating third-seed, Choy Poh Lai of Malaysia and winner the first match, Jennifer Tan of Singapore, 208-157-162 before seeng her hopes dashed. Choy retained third spot while Jennifer Tan took fourth spot. Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia and Huang Chiung Yao of Chinese Taipei took fifth and sixth position respectively after losing the first match to Chien, 188-173-213.

The men's title went to Thailand's Sithiphol Kunaksorn after he defeated team-mate and challenger, Surasak Manuwong, 204-193 in the final match. Both the Thai had one open frame each but it was Sithiphol who was the more lucky one with the ability to bring home two double strikes to seal the match.

Malaysia's best performer in the men's division was Azidi Ameran after he ousted fifth-seed, Biboy Rivera of the Philippines and UAE's Shaker Al Hassan, 191-154-180 to face the second-seed, Surasak Manuwong and third-seed, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand.

Surasak proved too good for both Yannaphon and Azidi winning the match, 215-180-190 before losing to the champion. The top 16 men and women

hvae qualified for the fourth leg of the ABF Tour in Thailand which will be held over 14th and 15th May at SP Strike Bowl.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

12th May, Bangkok: Malaysian bowlers put up a scintillating performance in the Masters finals of the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Champiosnhip with Esther Cheah and Azidi Ameran topping both the men's and women's first block of 8 games.

Cheah stole the limelight of the women's division when she totalled 1775 for a comfortable 102 pins lead at the end of the first block of 8 games played Friday evening at BSC Bowl, RCA Plaza. Cheah started off her finals with 192, 192, 258, 199 and 194 in her first five games but then went into top speed to bring home 278, 225 and 237 to cap off a superb finish.

"I knew I had to be very focus today if I was to finish amongst the top 16 to make the cut for the ABF Tour Thailand leg especially in such a strong field," said the 19 year-old child pyshcology student of Koleg Damansara Utama.

"I used a ball that was suitable to the very oiling condition in the first half of the block but had to switch to a different in the second half as the lanes got much dryer. I kept reminding myself not to make too much mistake and that if I can continue to stay focus, the high games will come.

Although two Chinese Taipei spinners, Huang Chiung Yao and Chien Hsiu Len kept their piling their pressure on Cheah all the way, they could not keep up with the Malaysian's pace and eventually settled for second and third with 1673 and 1644 respectively.

Azidi Ameran, who qualified second, ended the first block in pole position with another scintillating performance. The 2003 Malaysian Open champion showed the field of 40 strong top-class bowlers a clean pair of heels when he built up a comfortable lead towards the halfway mark.

"I was bowling great until I realised that there were cracks in the finger holes of both the two bowling balls that I was using and struggled towards the end," said Azidi on a disappointing note. I'm hoping that I can patch up these cracks in time for tomorrow's second block.

The leader totalled 1767 over the 8-game block to stay ahead of UAE's Shaker Al Hassan by just 19 pins. Shaker put in a strong challenge towards the end and manage to reduce the deficit with 1748. Local hero, Yannaphon Larpapharat kept Thailand's hopes alive finishing third with 1718.

The bowlers will bowl another 8 games in the second block and the top 6 in bothe the divisions will make the cut for the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

12th May, Bangkok: Malaysian youths dominated the Youth Open Masters finals of the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Championship when Eric Ang Soon Wei, Kelvin Tan Ing Ghee and Sharon Koh Suet Len took the top three positions.

Ang set a blistering pace from the word "Go" in this morning's 10-game Youth Open Masters finals but had to be contented with second after giving the early leader, Sharon Koh a 90-pin handicap. Yet, Ang soon caught up with Koh from game 4 onwards to take over the lead.

Ang continued his relentless charge until a poor game of 138 in the seventh, gave the lead back to Koh. Thereafter, both the Malaysian National youth members were in a ding-dong battle and drawing away from the rest of the field.

Eventually, two low games from Koh allowed Ang to pull away while two high games of 247 and 237 in the ninth and tenth game saw the third Malaysian, Kelvin Tan Ing Ghee snatching second position from Koh. Ang claimed the title with 2080, 55 pins ahead of Kelvin on 2025 and Sharon Koh settling for third with 1998.

"When I missed three pin 10s and had two splits in game 7 and ended up with 138, I thought it would be hard to make up the deficit," said the 18 year-old engineering student at KDU Penang. "But I told myself to put more focus and concentration into my game and not to give up."

In the Youth Graded division, Jinajoti siblings gave Thailand a 1-2 finish when Pattaranat Jinajoti captured her first-ever international title with 1907. The 15 year-old student of Rajinggbon in Bangkok, pipped her younger brother, Apinat by just 6 pins.

Tunku Haifaa of Malaysia, who was leading most of the way, fizzled out to end up third with 1869.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

11th May, Bangkok: There is a keen tussle for a place in the finals as the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Championship qualifying rounds enters its final day at BSC Bowl RCA Plaza.

With 42 lanes, the center is jam-packed with bowlers not only scrambling for squads to qualify for the finals but also sees the organisers putting four bowlers to a pair of lanes causing massive delays of up to 3 hours. By the time the last squad scheduled at 2.00am later, it would probably start at 4.30am and ends at 7.00am.

Leading the Women's Open leaderboard is Chien Hsiu Len, 26 of Chinese Taipei, who scored her personal best 4-game series of 901, maintained the lead she took over yesterday evening. Trailing her is 2004 Asian Ranked No. 1, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia in second with 887.

Singapore's Jennifer Tan improved on her 831 with 864 to secure fourth spot with lines of 245, 193, 205 and 221 ahead of early pace-setters, Wang Yu Ling of Chinese Taipei and Alice Tay of Singapore with 857 and 856 respectively.

In the Men's division, Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang topped the table with 1017 followed by Malaysia's Azidi Ameran, who improved from his overnight 923 score to 1004. The 2003 Malaysian Open champion posted impressive lines of 254, 278, 259 and 213 to become the second male to surpass the 1000-mark in the championship.

ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Andrew Frawley dropped one rung to third on a score of 968 posted two days ago followed by Singapore's national rookie, Carl De Vries in fourth with 964 and Korea's Choi Jung Hoon making the top five with 948.

Missing from the line up at press time were this year's Malaysian International Open Masters champions, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong and 15 year-old, Siti Safiyah of Malaysia. Also struggling to find their usual form were Joonee Gatchalian, Liza Del Rosario, Liza Clutario and Irene Benitez of the Philippines.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

10th May, Bangkok: Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia, surpassed the 1000-mark with a scorching 1017 to top the Men's Open Masters qualifying table in the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Championship at BSC Bowl, RCA Plaza.

Lalisang, who will turn 25 this August, posted 255, 216, 278 and 268 for a 4-game total of 1017 for the top position in the leaderboard. In his only second attempt since arriving Monday afternoon, the undergraduate law student only manage an 858 in his first attempt.

"I didn't do anything special today but after my first attempt yesterday to get accustomed with the lanes and the envirnoment, I knew what I had to do to make good shots," said Lalisang. "After shooting the perfect game at last year's ABF Tour Malaysia leg, I have not been able to produce the form need to win a title.

"But I'm happy and a little confident that I'll be able to do much better after several disappointing outings in the Kuwait and Malaysian Open the past two months.

I'm also glad that I can come to Thailand thanks to my sponsor Jaya Ancol Bowling Center in Jakarta. Overnight leader and ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Andrew Frawley of Australia dropped to second with 968 while World Youth Masters Gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand claimed third overall with 930.

Several bowlers made improvments to their standings since their first few attempts. Thailand's prolific spinner, Kritchawat Jempakao moved up to share second spot in the local pool with 922 and Malaysia's Azidi Ameran shot up to fourth in the overseas pool with 923.

UAE's Shaker Al Hassan finished just one pin ahead of Ameran on 924. The top 13 from the local pool, top 13 from the overseas pool and top 12 from the mixed pool together with the defending champion, Ahmed Shaheen from Qatar will contest for two 8-games block Masters finals on 12th and 13th May.

Meanwhile in the women's division, Asian Championship Gold medalist, Wang Yu Ling of Chinese Taipei snatched the lead by a single pin from overnight leader, Alice Tay of Singapore. Wang, 30, posted 226, 237, 186 and 208 for a total of 857 for the lead. Tay shared second spot with spot team-mate, Valerie Teo on 855.

Jiraphon S of Thailand maintained her top spot in the local pool of the women's division with 873. The 31 year-old laboratary assistant from Rayong will be facing her biggest test against a strng field of international women in the finals two days later.

Gunnalada Aree finsihed second with 839 fllowed by World Youth Gold medalist, Angkana Netrviseth in third place with 823. The top 8 from the local

pool, top 8 from the overseas pool and top 7 from the mixed pool together with the defending champion, Tsai Hsin Yi will play their finals same time as the men.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

9th May, Bangkok: ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Andrew Frawley of Australia set a blistering pace Monday afternoon in the 31st Thailand International Open Bowling Championship to grab the top psotion in the leaderboard.

Frawley, 41, who works in Kuwait, totalled 968 with lines of 205, 279, 237 and 247 for the highest 4-game series so far in the competition. Frawley nows lead the overall men's qualifying table followed by top local pool qualifer, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand in second with 930.

Overnight overseas pool leader, Shaker Al Hassan settled for third overall with 924. Malaysia's Adrian Ang, the Comonwealth Youth Games Gold medalist, immediately found the lanes to his liking to post lines of 236, 249, 218 and 210 to grab third spot in the overseas pool on a total of 913. Ang, who finished fifth last year, is hoping to to do better this time round especially after a lean spell.

Thailand's Kritchawat Jampakao settled for fourth place with Ang comfortably in fifth overall. Two Koreans Lee Sang Kyu and Kim Ko Woon were in fourth and fifth in the overseas pool with 912 and 894 respectively.

Thailand's Jiraphon S. continued to top the women's division with 873 while Singapore's Alice Tay topped the overseas pool with 856. Chinese Taipei's season campaigner, Huang Chiung Yao was third with 855.

Another strong contingent who arrived Monday afternoon were the Filipinos comprising of Liza Del Rosario, Liza Cutario, Celilia Yap, Irene Benitez whie the men were C.J. Suarez, Biboy Rivera, Tyrone Ongpauco, Joonee Gatchalian.

Competition wil get intense when the scores begin to soar towards the final few days of qualifying especially when the top 16 Asian men and women will make the cut for the ABF Tour Thailand leg on the 14th and 15th May at the same venue.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

9th May, Bangkok: 2004 World Youth Masters Gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand shot to the top of the 31st Thailand International Open qualifying leaderboard underway at BSC Bowl, RCA.

Yannaphon, 22, took pole position after posting 930 in his four-game qualifying round to set the tone for the 31st meeting of the Thailand International Open at BSC Bowl, RCA. Prolific spinner and winner of many international titles, Kritchawat Jampako finished trailed Yannaphon by 8 pins for second.

Kritchawat, who was working in the Middle East for several years, has returned to Thailand and taken up his rightful spot in the Thai National Team. Thid spot in the local table went to Chinnapong C with a score of 911.

Asian Championship Gold medalist, Shaker Al Hassan of UAE, grabbed top place in the overseas pool when he recorded an impressive 924. The ABF Tour Indonesia leg led a large team of Emirates bowlers for the first time to the Thailand and to compete in this part of Asia.

Korea's Kim Ko Woon finished second with 894, just 3 pins ahead of Qatar's Saeed Al Hajri on 891. Newly-crowned Sinai International Open champion, Khalifa Khalid was fourth with 866 followed by Ahmad Al Marri of UAE in fifth with 845.

A large contingent of Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore arrive Bangkok Saturday and Sunday afternoon and will be taking onto the lanes which will see the scores soar as competition becomes intense.

While the men will fight it out for the top 13 local, top 13 overseas and top 12 mixed pool, defending champion, Ahmed Shaheen will keep an eyeful on his opponents.

Meanwhile, Asian Championship God medalist, Alice Tay of Singapore set the pace in the women's division to post 856 for top spot. Ex-international, Lai Kin Ngoh finished second with 847 while 2003 Asian Schools two Gold medalist, Sharon Limansantoso of JAB Indonesia took third position with 774.

On the local front, the relatively unknown, Jiraporn Sae-Ngan stole the limelight occupying pole position with 873 with Gunnalada Aree in second with 839. World Youth Gold medalist, Angkana Netrviseth claimed third spot with 823.

The top 8 local, top 8 overseas and top 7 mixed pool will be keenly contest over the next few remaining days of qualifying which will end on Wednesday, 11th May. The finals will be played over two blocks of 8 game each on 12th and 13th May, 2005.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.