19th April, Bangkok: Yannaphon Larpapharat signaled his return to the Thai national team with style with victory in the Men's Open Masters finals of the 35th MWA Thailand International Open while Malaysia's Tang Joh Six triumphed in the ladies division.

Yannaphon Larpapharat, who became one of the top bowler in Thailand after he bagged the World Youth Singles gold, left the team to pursuit his studies in the US. The topseed signaled his return with a bang after defeating challenger, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE in one match, 199-178 to claim the Men's title.

The Thai had earlier ended the second block finals with a total of 3363 and the topseed going into the stepladder finals. Yannaphon, who was ninth in the first block with 1628, posted the highest 8-game series of 1735.

"This is my first tournament since returning home and I'm glad to have won this title," said the 29-year-old Yannaphon, who had won the 2008 Brunswick Summer Classic in New Jersey while in the US.

"I was so worried that people think that I might lose by touch after being away from competitive bowling. With this victory I hope to keep on improving my game and to bring more glory for my country."

The runnerup settled for second despite having good runs earlier. The reigning Asian Ranked No. 1 narrowly defeated second-seed, Kritchawat Jamparkao of Thailand and compatriot Mohammad Khalifa Al-Qubaisi, 234-226-204 in the second stepladder match.

Hussain also eliminated fourth-seed, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand and another compatriot, Shaker Al-Hassan, 192-159-170 in the first match to progress into the second match. Kritchawat finished third with Mohammad Khalifa fourth.

Meanwhile, ex-national and 2008 ABF Tour Grand Finals champion, Tang Joh Six of Malaysia won her second international title this year after she beat defending champion, Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong in the all-spinner Ladies' title match and tie-breaker.

Tang started the match cautiously but it was Chan who made a better start with an opening double strike. The match looked like going into the sudden-death decider when the Malaysian opened two frames in the fifth and sixth.

But lady luck was on Tang's side and not on Chan's when the defending champion had a split in the eighth frame as Tang recovered a double in the eighth and ninth frame. Chan encoutered another costly split in her final frame to end with 175.

Tang spared the final frame and could have sealed the match with a strike in her bonus frame but saw a stubborn pin 5 standing forcing the match into a 9th and 10th frame tie-breaker. Chan managed 36 while Tang shot 38 to clinch the title.

"When I had the two open frames, I decided I needed to change my ball and I'm glad I did," said the 27-year-old ex-national, who bagged the ABF Tour Grand finals title in January this year.

"Come to think of it, I almost did not make this trip due to the riots earlier this week. I only decided to come when my sponsor, Desmond Wong confirmed with the organizers that it was safe.

Asked if her recent success would give her a chance to return to the national team, the champion replied that it didn't cross her mind at all to return to the squad. SHe was only interested to compete in as many championships as she can and try to win them.

Tang, who led in the first block yesterday, topped the second block finals with 3151 to move into the stepladder finals as topseed. The runnerup reached the finals after she ousted second-seed, Park Jin Hee of Korea and winner of the first match, Putty Armein of Indonesia, 209-183-191 to face the topseed.

Putty narrowly defeated fourth-seed, Kim Eun Jung of Korea and Zhang Chun Li of China, 181-170-179 in the first ladies' stepladder finals. Suvannee Chinchiewchan, Director of S.F. Cinema City was on hand to present trophies to the champions.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

18th April, Bangkok: UAE bowlers dominated the Men's Open Masters first block finals of the 35th MWA Thailand International Open by taking up the top three spots with Shaker Al-Hassan leading in pole while Malaysia's Tang Joh Six led the Ladies' division.

2007 ABF Tour Grand finals champion, Kritchwat Jamparkao set the early pace with a strong 237 opening game and held the lead for two games with 208 in the second. A sizzling 258 from Mohammad Khalifa Al-Qubaisi of UAE in the third game allowed the two-time World Cup champion to take over the running.

Mohammad Khalifa remained in front after games of 248 and 201 in the fourth and fifth, 11 pins ahead of Kritchawat in second with another Thai, Annop Arromsaranon in close third. But a poor 180 in the sixth game saw the leader handing the lead to compatriot, Shaker Al-Hassan.

Shaker in turn suffered a dismal 167 to return the lead to Mohammad

Khalifa albeit just 1 pin ahead another Emirati, Hussain Al-Suwaidi making his bid with the eighth and final game to play.

The keen tussle turned in favour of Shaker as he fired a superb 256 to end the block with 1713, just 2 pins ahead of the recovering Mohammad Khalifa, who finished with 1711. Hussain gave UAE the top 3 spots taking up third with 1698.

Pace-setter, Kritchawat ended in fifth with 1659 behind Annop in fourth with 1662 while hot favourite and top qualifier, Surasak Manuwong stromed home to snatch sixth position on 1658. Hong Kong's Michael Tsang posted the highest game of 290 to take up eighth behind Sithiphol Kunaksorn of Thailand in seventh.

Korea almost took the top two spots in the Ladies' division but was spoiled by Malaysia's Tang Joh Six. A keen tussle for the lead had developed between Kim Eun Jung and Park Jin Hee up to the halfway mark when Joh Six fired a scintillating 277 in the sixth game to take over the running.

Another superb 224 kept the Malaysian spinner the lead with Park narrowing the gap from 41 pins to 36 pins after the seventh game. Joh Six eased off in her final game with 183 to clinch pole position with 1604, 26 pins ahead of Kim in second with 1578.

Park settled for third with 1565 followed by early pace-setter, Zhang Chun Li of China in fourth with 1536.

Jaya Ancol Bowl's Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia did well to take up fifth position with 1509 with defending champion, Chan Shuk Han rounding up the top 6 spots with 1503.

The 40 men and 24 ladies will resume with another 8 games in the second block tomorrow at 9.00am to decide the top 6 advancing into the stepladder finals. Fourth, fifth and sixth seeds will be matched up in the first stepladder match.

The winner will meet the second and third seed for another one game to decide the challenger facing the topseed in the one plus one title match. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will make the cut for the ABF Tour Thailand leg which will be held on Monday.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

18th April, Bangkok: Thailand's Apiwich Watanaphongsakorn and Malaysia's youth, Fatin Hazwani cruised to comfortable victories in the Men's and Ladies' Graded A Masters finals of the 35th MWA Thailand International Open on Saturday evening.

Apiwich, who just finished second in the Youth Open Masters finals earlier, blitzed the lanes at S.F. Strike Bowl in Ngamwongwan Nonthaburi shopping center with the tournament's first perfect game.

The 19-year-old continued with his blistering pace to register 203, 236, 226, 226 and 253 to open up a massive 265 pins margin at the halfway mark of the 12-game finals. Phisanu Autsaha and Chaiyasit Saetiew were only battling for second spot and just could not keep pace with the leader.

Apiwich went on to crusie to a comfortable victory to bag the Men's Graded A Masters title with a total of 2596 with 233 pins margin to spare.

India's Abhishek Maheshwari, who was slowly making up ground, stormed home with a superb 225 to snatch second spot with 2363 while Phisanu settled for thid with 2349. Pongsakorn Bunnak and Wannatep Chaiyasit rounded up the top 5.

Malaysia's 18-year-old Fatin Hazwani also took a comfortable victory in the Ladies' Graded A Masters finals to win her first international title. Fatin led from the word go but lost the lead after the sixth game to Jutatrip Juymanee of Thailand.

But Fatin bounched back to re-take the lead and went on to cruise to victory with 2251, 109 pins from Jutatrip in second with 2142. Patteera Ocharoen of Thailand claimed third spot with a total of 2137.

"I'm so happy to win this title in my first international outing", said Fatin, who trains in Penang with her Korean coach, Kim Eun Jung. "We almost cancelled our trip here but after we called Larry Chelvan, he told us it was safe to come."

The Ladies' and Men's Open first block finals will take place later this evening while the Men's Graded B and Senior Masters will be held tonight.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

18th April, Bangkok: Thais dominated the Youth Masters finals with Todsaphon Thitiphatthanawanit clinching the Youth Open title, Khunachote Naowaniruth easily winning the Youth Graded title and Natthida Sertluecha outshinning the boys to claim the Youth 15 and under crown.

Yanee Saebae set a cracking pace with 247 in the opening game ahead of Apiwich Watanaphongsakorn, just 2 pins behind. Yanee continued to lead the field after the second game but had Todsaphon Thitiphatthanawanit and Apiwich breathing down his neck while Hong Kong's Michael Mak shot a 269 to stay close.

At the halfway mark, it was Apiwich who tool over the running, 16 pins ahead of Todsaphon tussling for the lead. At the eighth game, Apiwich had stretched his lead to as much as 52 pins.

A superb 266 in the ninth game from Todsaphon saw the 19-year-old taking over the lead but just 5 pins ahead while Mak continued to trail in third.

It came down to the wire and Todsaphon shot 201 to barely hang on to the lead and the victory with 2258 over Apiwich by 7 pins giving Thailand a 1-2 finish. The 14-year-old Mak managed only 191 and had to settle for third with 2247.

In the Youth Graded division, Malaysia's Danial Riza Bin Alwi Aizhar led most of the way until the halfway mark when Wisarut Garrett of Thailand surged into the lead after the sixth game.

Wisarut bowled two poor games thereafter to hand the lead to fellow conpatriot, Khunachote Naowaniruth while another Thai youth, Ronnayuth Udomwittayakul closed in on the leading pair.

Despite two lowly games from the leader, Khunachote was able to hang on to the lead to take victory with 1794. Wisarut settled for second with 1759 while Ronnayuth finished third with 1756. Pace-setter, Danial Riza missed the podium to end up fourth with 1746.

Meanwhile, Natthida Sertluecha of Thailand stole the limelight when she outshone the boys to claim her first title. The 13-year-old totaled 1161 thanks to a handicap of 9 pins per game to finish 10 pins ahead of another Thai youth, Waritthorn Thanakarn.

Waritthorn took second spot with 1151 followed by Chinese Taipei's Cheng Hsing-Yueh in third spot with 1091. Indonesia's Darren Joseph and Thailand's Atchariya Cheng rounded up the top 5 with 1088 and 1067 respectively.

The Men's Graded A and Ladies Graded will contest their 12-game Masters finals after lane maintenance while the Men's and Ladies' Open first block finals will take place later this evening.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

17th April, Bangkok: Zhang Chun-Li of China spins her way to the top of the Ladies' Open Masters overall table on the final day of qualifying at the 35th MWA Thailand International Open at S.F. Strike Bowl.

The ex-international, Zhang Chun-Li posted 682, 603 and 600 to move into the top of the Ladies' Open Masters overall leaderboard. The 30-year-old, who was a member of the Chinese national women team in 2000, 2001 and 2006, finished fourth in the 2006 Doha Asian Games team of 5 event.

Hong Kong's Sarah Cheng, who lies in 18th in the Youth Open category, made her attempt in the Open division to take up second spot with 1758 relegating Korea's Park Jin Hee into third position on 1745.

Another spinner, Gunnalada Aree led Thailand's challenge after she maintained her lead in the loval pool with 1851 followed by Benchawan Poungthong and Saowapha Kunaksorn in second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand, who left the national team to study in the US, moved up to second in the local pool with an improved 2038 scoreline to trail compatriot, Surasak Manuwong, the current leader.

Two-time World Cup and World Ranking Masters champion, Mohammad Khalifa Al-Qubaisi remained in front of the overseas pool with 2038 ahead of Hong Kong's 14-year-old wonder boy, Michael Mak second with 2033.

Jaya Ancol Bowl's Ryan Lalisang also made up grounds to take up third spot with 2031 while Kuwait's Yaqoub Al-Shatti and UAE's Saeed Obaid rounded up the top 5 with 2025 and 2001 respectively.

Thailand's most promising youth, Dechochai Tinjiratip took over the lead of the Youth Open division with an impressive 1883 pushing down overnight leader, Michael Mak of Hong Kong into second. Rickle Kam occupied third spot with 1868.

Qualifying ends tonight and the top 13 local men, top 13 overseas men, top 13 from the mixed pool together with defeding champion, Cheng Hsing-Cho of Chinese Taipei will be vying for the top 6 spots in the stepladder finals after two blocks of 8 games finals on Saturday and Sunday.

The top 8 local ladies, top 8 overseas ladies, top 7 from the mixed pool together with defending champion, Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong will also bowl two 8-games blocks for the top 6 stepladder final spots.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

16th April, Bangkok: Two-time World Cup champion, Mohammad Khalifa Al-Qubaisi of UAE took over the lead of the Men's Open Masters qualifying table at the 35th MWA Thailand International Open on Thursday.

Mohammad Khalifa, who stormed into the world of tenpin bowling with by winning the World Cup title in 1988 and again in 1994, has quit international competition since becoming a fulltime manager of a petroluem company back in Dubai.

The 42-year-old registered a 9-game aggregate of 2038 from his three best series of 698, 682 and 658 to take over the lead. Hong Kong's 14-year-old wonder boy, Michael Mak of Hong Kong, again impressed with 2033 to trail the Emirati in second.

Kuwait's Yaqoub Al-Shatti posted 2025 to finish third with 2025 followed by Jaya Ancol's Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia and overnight leader, Saeed Obaid of UAE rounding up the top 5.

In the local front, the top 3 positions remained unchanged with hot favourite, Surasak Manuwong leading the pack with 2088. Badin Lerdpriyasakulkit and Pasut Punsanthaveekul occupied second and third with 2030 and 2015 respectively.

China's Zhang Chun Li surprised the field when she shot 1875 to grab the lead of the Ladies' Open Masters table. 2008 ABF Tour Indonesia leg champion, Park Jin Hee of Korea did well to finish second with 1745 while 2007 SEA Games Masters gold medalist, Sharon Limansnatoso of Indonesia posted 1712 to take up third.

Thai spinner, Gunnalada Aree toppled overnight leader, Benchawan Poungthong to take over the lead in the local pool. Gunnalada, who was fifth with 1728, improved her score to 1851 for the lead.

Benchawan settled for second with 1781 followed by Nunmanut Chatchaisiri remaining in third spot with 1747. Saowapha Kunaksorn and Yanee Saebae completed the top 5 with 1746 and 1742.

Meanwhile, Micahel Mak also topped the Youth Open Masters table with another superb performance. The youngster totaled an impressive 1879 with Rickle Kam in second with 1868 giving Hong Kong a 1-2 finish.

Malaysia's Teh Lit Qing from Perak took up third spot with 1865 followed by Thailand's most promising youth, Dechochai Tinjiratip in fourth with 1850. Dechochai also qualified for the Men's Open division in ninth position.

Qualifying will end on Friday, April 17 with the masters finals staged over two blocks of 8 games on Saturday and Sunday. The top 6 at the end of the two stages will advance into the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

15th April, Bangkok: World champion, Tim Mack of USA shot the highest 3-game series of 790 to storm into the lead of the Men's Open Masters overseas qualifying pool at the 35th MWA Thailand International Open on Wednesday.

Tim Mack, who shot a perfect game at last week's Bahrain Open but ended up missing the top 12 cut in the stage 1 finals, shot the tournament's highest 3-game series of 790 en-route to leading the overseas pool.

But Mack's two other series of 613 and 579 still gave the American a decent 9-game aggregate of 1982 and the lead. Mack will surely be looking to take over the overall lead with his subsequent attempts before it ends on April 17.

Hong Kong's ex-national, Rocky Hui did well to register 1978 to take up second while early leader, Mohammad Khalifa of UAE dropped to third with 1970.

Newly-crowned ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE and Hohg Kong's sensational kid, Michael Mak rounded up the top 5 with 1906 and 1886 respectively.

Hot favourite, Surasak Manuwong maintained his overall top spot with 2063 followed by Badin Lerdpriyasakulit and Pasut Punsanthaveekul in second and third with 2030 and 2015.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's national rookie, Sarah Cheng took over the lead from team-mate, Sylvia Kong after she amassed a 9-game total of 1693 from 610, 546 and 537 series. Sylvia dropped to second with 1502 with Katharine Lau third on 1466.

Newcomer, Benchawan Poungthong, Nynmanut Chatchaisiri and Saowapha Kunaksorn continued to occupy the top 3 spots in both the local and overall standings with 1781, 1747 and 1746 respectively.

Qualifying will run for another two days before ending on April 17. The Open Masters finals will be stage over two blocks of 8 games on April 18 and 19. The top 6 at the end of the finals will advance into the stepladder finals.

The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will also make the cut for the third leg of the ABF Tour 2009 - Thailand which will be held at the same center on April 20.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

14th April, Bangkok: Local favourite, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand took the early lead in the Men's Open Masters qualifying table of the 35th MWA Thailand International Open underway at S.F. Strike Bowl.

Since his return to the Thai national team this year, the 30-year-old Surasak made his presence felt when he shone in the recent Malaysian International Open in March after finishing second in the Men's Open Masters.

Surasak went on to cap off a superb week winning two cameras as high series award and the Canon Cup 2009 as an anchorman in the Rest of the World team beating Team Malaysia, 3-2. The Thai did well to finish ninth in the 6th Kuwait Open a week later.

The local fovourite shot 722, 683 and 658 for an 18-game aggregate 2063 in the best of 3 qualifying rounds to take up the lead in the Men's

Open Masters qualifying table. The Thai will surely be gunning for his first title taking advantage of his current form.

Badin Lerdpriyasakulit finished second with 2030 from three attempts of 703, 670 and 657 while ABF Tour Kuwait leg runnerup, Somjed Kusonpithak took third spot with 2005.

In the overseas pool, UAE bowlers were the first to arrive Bangkok and newcomer, Mohammad Khalifa grabbed the lead with 1970. Newly-crowned ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Hussain Al-Suwaidi, who skipped the Bahrain Open, occupied second spot with 1842.

Hong Kong's Ming Leung took third spot with 1797 followed by Saeed Obaid of UAE and Hong Kong's Jeffrey Choi rounding up the top 5 with 1786 and 1771 respectively.

Hong Kong's Sylvia Kong was the only overseas lady to have made three attempts and she has taken the lead with 492, 495 and 480 for a three series total of 1457.

Benchawan Poungthong of Thailand topped the local pool with 1781 followed by compatriot, Nunmanut Chatchaisiri in second with 1747. National kegler, Saowapha Kunaksorn finished third with 1746.

Rickle Kam of Hong Kong occupied top spot in the Youth Open qualifying standings with a superb 1868 ahead of Thailand's Dechochai Tinjiratip in second with 1850. Hong Kong's Michael Mak took third spot with 1845.

With the Thai government declaring the state of emergency on Sunday after continuous protests, several countries including Malaysia and Singapore, have cancelled their participation on the advise of their own governement.

However, bowlers from other countries including Chinese Taipei, China, Indonesia and the Philippines have confirmed their participation and will arrive Bangkok on Tuesday and Wednesday to commence their qualification.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.