1st May, Petaling Jaya: 2023 World Championships Team silver medalist and national podium squad member, Gillian Lim moved into the lead of the Women's Open qualifying table of the 42nd Malaysian International Open 2024 while Singapore national bowlers made good progress.

Lim, who was in ninth position in the local pool with 1318, notched up a stunning 751 at the 10.30 am squad today, improving her previous lower 3-game series of 647 for a new total of 1422. Her convincing effort put her top of the standings.

Overnight leader and team-mate, Siti Safiyah Amirah settled for second with 1421, just one pin difference while Natasha Roslan, who also improved her effort yesterday, remain in the top 3 bracket in third with 1405. Last year's second runner-up, Nora Lyana Nastasia dropped out into fourth.

In the overseas pool, 2023 Asian Junior Doubles and Team gold medallist, Nur Irdina Bte Hazly of SBF, Singapore chalked up a sizzling 727 yesterday to leapfrog into top spot with an improved 1340 total. Veronica De Souza dropped to second with 1318 and Rebecca Whitting of Australia was third with 1267.

In the men's open division, there were no changes in the top four positions of the local pool with 2022 champion, Ahmad Muaz heading the field with 1488. Team-mates Azriq Izamuddin, Wan Muhd Zarif Ikram and Timmy Tan occupied second to fourth positions with 1466, 1458 and 1456 respectively.

With most of the overseas men having started their qualifying attempts, changes in the table were happening much frequently. Blake Walsh of Australia remained the lead with 1458. Compatriot and PBA Pro, Sam Cooley was second with 1453.

Hardy Rachmadian of Sumatra Utara, Indonesia took up third spot after a superb 3-game series of 727 at the 9.00 am squad on a 6-game tally of 1445. 2023 World Championships Doubles gold medalist, Darren Ong of SBF, Singapore, who was second overnight, slipped down to fourth with 1444.

2023 Hong Kong Open champion, Tun Hakim of Malaysian national podium squad headed the mixed pool with 1393. The current cut in 16th position in the mixed pool went to third perfect-gamer, Lee Tak Man of Macau, China with 1339.