30th April, Petaling Jaya: 2022 champion and national podium squad member, Ahmad Muaz of Malaysia took over top spot of the Men's Open qualifying leaderboard of the 42nd Malaysian International Open 2024 while Natasha Roslan moved into second in the Women's Open local pool.

Ahmad, who was sixth in the table with 1433, chalked up an improved 3-game of 723 series at the 2:30pm squad yesterday over his lower 675 for a six-game tally of 1488 to become the new leader. Ahmad's team-mate, Azriq Izamuddin also improved his 6-game total to 1466 to take up second spot.

National youth member, Wan Muhd Zarif Ikram leapfrog from first in the mixed pool to third overall with 1458, while early leader and national podium squad member, Timmy Tan remained in fourth despite increasing his earlier 1444 to 1456.

Overnight leader, Chong Jun Foo of Hero/ABAS, Sarawak dropped out of the top bracket to settle for fifth position with 1455. Izz Naqiuddin Putera, national youth also dropped out of the top bracket to end up in sixth position with 1451.

Meanwhile, 2023 World Championships Singles gold medalist, Natasha Roslan, a member of the national podium squad moved into second in the Women's Open local pool with 1405, improving from an overnight sixth position of 1317. Team-mate, Siti Safiyah Amirah remained in the lead with 1421.

2016 Malaysian Open first runner-up and 2023 Team Silver medalist, Nora Lyana Nastasia leapfrog into third position from eighth overnight with 1403. Two-time Malaysian Open Women champion (2016 and 2014), Sin Li Jane dropped out of the top bracket into fourth position with 1367.

Veronica De Souza of Macau, China took over top spot in the overseas pool with just two attempts of 681 and 612 for a 1293 total. Rebecca Whitting of Australia slipped down to second with 1267 while 2002 Malaysian Open first runner-up, Kim Hyo Mi of Korea finished third with 1198.

Qualifying will be intense over the remaining three days. Eight local men, eight overseas men, 16 men in the mixed pool, top 3 from the desperado squad along with defending champion, Rafiq Ismail of Malaysian national podium squad will qualify the Round 1 finals on May 4.