15th April, Bangkok: Two-handed Malaysian, Zulmazran Zulkifli and PWBA Rookie of the Year, New Hui Fen were crowned the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships Men's and Women's Open Masters champions on Saturday evening.

Top seed, Zulmazran outclassed challenger and winner of the semi-final match, Rafiq Ismail 242-161 in the all-Malaysian final match to win his first title since turning to the two-handed style of bowling 18 months ago.

An early opened frame by Rafiq allowed Zulmazran to take a 10-pin lead. The gap was widened when Rafiq had a split in the fourth frame. Zulmazran then fired six strikes-in-a-row to put the match beyond his team-mate and went on to cruise to an emphatic victory.

"I have been training extremely hard since I changed my style of bowling some 18 months ago," said the 34-year-old newly-crowned champion, Zulmazran.

Meanwhile, top seed, New Hui Fen also needed only one match to beat challenger and winner of the semi-final, Syaidatul Afifah of Malaysia, 233-198 to win the Women's Open crown. The Singaporean had an opened frame in the third and another opened frame in the seventh but had a double in the first two frames and another double in the fifth and sixth frames.

New also struck four times to beat Syaidatul, who almost had a clean game except for a split in the final frame. New won THB 100,000 (approx. US$2,900) for her effort.

Second-seed Syaidatul edged third-seed, Sharon Limansantoso and winner of the quarter-finals, Sin Li Jane, 223-213-192 to earn a crack at the title. She picked up THB 50,000 as first runner-up. Sin dispatched fourth-seed and compatriot, Siti Saifyah and sole Thai, Tanaprang Sathean, 211-165-206 in the first match.

In ther earlier Round 3 finals, New stormed home with 258 in her final game to snatch top spot with 1308. Syaidatul finished second with 1276 while Limansantoso took third spot with 1263. Siti, Tanaprang and Sin finished fourth to sixth positions with 1258, 1257 and 1254 respectively.

15th April, Bangkok: 2016 Asian Championships Masters gold medallist, Rafiq Ismail and Siti Safiyah dominated the Men's and Women's Open Round 2 Masters finals of the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships in the lead.

Hardy Rachmadian of Indonesia got off to a great start with 258 in his opening game ahead of two Singaporeans, Basil Ng in second by 14 pins and Kuek Qi En a further 9 pins in third. Kuek shot into the lead after following it up with 221 in the second game.

Rafiq and a third Singaporean, Cheah Ray Han shared second spot, just 6 pins adrift. But it was Rafiq who was movre consistent adding 247 and 249 in the third game to move into the lead.

Despite a 185 in the fourth, the Malaysian recovered with 226 and 225 to win the round with 1335. Desperado qualifier, Michael Mak of Hong Kong rolled 212, 205, 226, 235, 224 and 216 to clinch second spot with 1318.

In the women's division, Siti Safiyah of Malaysia comfortably won the round with 1353, ahead of two Indonesians, Alisha Nabilla in second by 72 pins and Aldilla Indryati in third, a further 15 pins. Sin Li Jane of Malaysia, who trailed Siti after games 4 and 5, finished fourth with 1248.

A third Malaysian, Shalin Zulkifli completed the top five with 1234. Sole Thai, Nathida Sertluecha survived the cut in eighth with a last game of 225 while Sharon Limansantoso made the cut in tenth position with 1220.

Nur Syazwani of Malaysia missed the cut by 13 pins by finishing 11th with 1207. The top 14 men and top 10 women will be joined by their respective division's top 6 seeded qualifiers for another six games in Round 3 finals later today.

The top 6 men and top 6 women will advance to the stepladder shootout finals to determine the champions. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will also qualify for the ABF Tour Thailand 2017 leg to be held on April 16.

14th April, Bangkok: Squad C winner, Muhd Jaris Goh of Singapore sealed top spot in the Men's Open Masters qualifying round of the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships while Jang Haeun of Korea took the Women's Open pole at the end of the third block.

Muhd Jaris led throughout the three blocks with 1188, 1157 and 1110 for a 15-game total of 3455. Four-time PBA Player of the Year, Mika Koivuniemi of Finland, who won Squad D to move into second spot, was relegated to head the mixed pool with 3279.

2016 Asian Championships Masters gold medallist, Rafiq Ismail of Malaysia, who was leading the final squad and had a shot at the top bracket, stubled to a lowly 178 while Hwang Sunghyun of Korea and Yang Nien-Hua of Chinese Taipei both posted identical big game of 267 to clinch second and third with 3313 and 3311 respectively.

In the Women's Open division, Jang Haeun of Korea reclaimed top spot from Squad C winner and PWBA Rookie of the Year, New Hui Fen of Singapore with 3115. New settled for second with 3111. Victoria Chin of Malaysia, who took Squad D with 3067, finished third to the bye for Round 3 finals.

Tanaprang Sathean remained in the lead of the local pool with 2961 followed by compatriot, Kritsanakorn Sangaroon in second with 2906. Defending champion, Yanee Saebe sealed third spot with 2895 to join her team-mates for Round 3 finals.

Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia headed the mixed pool with 3032. Squad D winner, Sharon Koh of Malaysia finished eighth with 3002 with another two Malaysians, Sin Li Jane and Siti Safiyah completing the top 10 with 2989 and 2967.

But the highlight of the qualifying rounds in the final squad was Nathida Sertluecha of Thailand, who spared her 6-7-10 split in her final frame of the last game to finish 21st position.

13th April, Bangkok: Muhd Jaris Goh of Singapore extended his lead in the Men's Open standings after the second block of qualifying round at the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships as Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia took over the lead of the Women's division.

Muhd Jaris, who had a 26-pin lead after yesterday's first block, reeled in 214, 258, 200, 228 and 257 to stretch his lead to 203 pins after topping Squad C with 2345. His compatriot, Kuek Qi En finished second in the squad with 2142.

Squad B winner, Yang Nien-Hua of Chinese Taipei also retained his lead in the earlier squad but settled for second overall with 2247. Oku Keita of Singapore topped Squad D with 2198 to earn third spot and potentially a bye for Round 3 finals.

Indonesia's Hardy Rachmadian, who led Squad A with 2174, held third spot briefly only to slip down to fourth to head the mixed pool.

In the women's division, Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia emerged as the new leader with 2096 after taking over the lead from New Hui Fen of Singapore at the end of the second block. New slipped down to second wth 2072.

Sin Li Jane of Malaysia, who had a keen tussle for the lead in Squad D with team-mates, Esther Cheah and Siti Safiyah, clinched third spot in the overseas pool after winning Squad D with 2023. Cheah headed the mixed pool with 2012.

Siti Safiyah took eighth position with 2007 while Jang Haeun of Korea, who was second overnight, fell down to ninth with 2006. Victoria Chin of Malaysia completed the top 10 with 2005. Tanaprang Sathean remained in the lead of the local pool with 1990 followed by Kritsanakorn Sangaroon moving up to second with 1976.

Defending champion, Yanee Saebe finished third with 1886. The cut at 22nd position went to Milki Ng of Hong Kong with 1848, averaging 183.80. The men and women will resume with their third and final block of five games tomorrow.

12th April, Bangkok: Squad C winners, Muhd Jaris Goh and New Hui Fen took over the overall lead in the Men's and Women's Open qualifying at the end of the first block of the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships late Wednesday.

Akaash A. Kumar of India surprised the field when he shot a scintillating opening game of 267 to lead Kuek Qi En of Singapore by 22 pins. But his lead only lasted one game as Muhd Jaris followed up his opening game of 228 with 237 in the second game to take over the running.

Another big game of 268 allowed the Singaporean to extend his lead to 64 pins over his compatriot, Cheah Ray Han followed by Kuek in third and Akaash in fourth.

Muhd Jaris went on to knock down 221 and 234 to top the squad with 1188. The squad winner also became the new overall leader after his commanding display. Kuek also ended with a high game of 244 to finish second with 1118.

In the Women's Open division, Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia and PWBA Rookie of the Year, New Hui Fen of Singapore battled over the lead in Squad C in the first four games. Hui Fen prevailed to end the block in the lead with 1051.

Limansantoso settled for second with 1007 while her compatriot, Alisha Nabilla finished third with 955. Kantaporn Singhabubpha of Thailand, who finished fourth with 953, made it into the top three local qualifiers to earn herself a bye.

Tanaprang Sathean and Nathida Sertluecha remained first and second in the local pool with 1043 and 955 with Kantaporn in third.

New Hui Fen took over the lead in the overseas pool after her fine effort in the final squad of the day. Squad A winner, Jang Haeun of Korea slipped down to second with 1030 while Squad D winner, Natasha Roslan of Malaysia is third with 1023.

12th April, Bangkok: Two-time ABF Tour winner, Yeri Ramadona of Indonesia took top spot in Squad D after the first block of the Men's Open qualifying round at the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships while Malaysian women dominated the women's division.

2014 Asian Championships Masters gold medallist, Ryan Lalisang got off the block with a superb 235 to lead 2014 Inchoen Asian Games Singles gold medallist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand by 15 pins with Oman's Ghalib Albusaidi and Chinese Taipei's Cheng Hsing-Chao in close company.

But the Indonesia soon lost his lead to defending champion, Kim Bolleby of Thailand after the second game. The Thai led the field in the next two games with 232 and 225 and appeared in total control to win the squad.

Malaysia totally dominated the Women's Open division in this squad with Natasha Roslan taking top spot with 1023. Sin Li Jane, who led after the second game, settled for second with 999 while Siti Saifyah finished third with 978.

Victoria Chin, Esther Cheah, Shalin Zulkifli and early pace-setter, Radin Nur Najwa occupied fourth to seventh positions with 971, 960, 939 and 926 respectively. The best non-Malaysian finisher was Regina Lau of Singapore in eighth position with 918.

Squad A leader, Hang Haeun of Korea remained in the lead of the overseas pool with 1030. Natasha took up second spot and Li Jane third. Kim Hyuna of Korea headed the mixed pool with 995 and the cut at 22nd position went to Julia Lam of Macau with 893, averaging 178.60.

Squad C is the last squad of the first block and will be contested later. The combined scores of all the four squads will provide an indication of averages need to make the cut for the finals.

12th April, Bangkok: Yang Nien-Hua of Chinese Taipei topped Squad B of the Men's first block qualifying round to move into second overall of the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships while Tanaprang Sathean of Thailand led the Women's division to go top of the local pool.

Baek Jongyun of Korea registered the highest single game of 278 in his opening game to lead Squad B. 2014 Incheon Asian Games Singles bronze medallist, Sithiphol Kunaksorn trailed the Korean by 40 pins with 238.

Sithiphol added a splendid 238 in his second game to take over the lead as Baek slipped behind by 15 pins. Two-handed Malaysian, Zulmazran Zulkifli rolled a sizzling 266 to take up third while another Malaysian, Rafiq Ismail and another Thai, Surasak Manuwong shared fourth place.

Zulmazran shot into the lead after another superb game of 234 as the Korean continued to trail in second. Sithiphol stumbled to a low 179 to drop out of contention.

Syafiq headed the mixed pool in seventh position as the cut in 26th position was held by Billy M Islam of Indonesia with 957, averaging 191.40.

Meanwhile in the Women's division, Tanaprang Sathean of Thailand led from start to finish to take top spot with 1043. ABF Tour Thailand 2016 champion, Sharon Koh of Malaysia finished in a distant second with 990. Syaidatul Afifah of Malaysia was third with 964.

After two squads, Tanaprang led the local pool followed by Nathida Sertluecha in second with 955 and defending champion, Yanee Saebe in third with 939.

Squad A top three finishers, Jang Haeun, Kim Hyuna and jang Ryeon Gyeong of Korea remained top three with 1030, 995 and 994 respectively. Koh headed the mixed pool in seventh position. Squad D and Squad B will be staged for the remaining first block of qualifying.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

12th April, Bangkok: Jang Haeun and Lee Won Seok of Korea took an early lead in Squad A of the opening block during Women's and Men's Open Masters qualifying rounds of the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships.

Lee set a blistering pace with an opening game of 268 ahead of two Hong Kong national bowlers, Eric Tseng in second, 32 pins adrift and Rickle Kam, a further 27 pins away in third. The Korean National Sports University student added a superb 226 to stretch his lead to 47 pins as Tseng reamined in second.

Whilst Tseng suffered a lowly 174 in the third game, Lee rolled 212 to extend his lead further to 68 pins. A third Hong Kong national kegler, Wu Siu Hong gradually moved up to second as Tseng slipped down the field.

The Korean was simply too good for the field adding another fine game of 224 in the fourth and ended the block with 232 to top the squad with 1162, averaging an impressive 232.40.

Meanwhile, Korea took all the top three spots in the Women's Squad A with Jang Haeun leading with 1030 after a keen tussle for the lead with compatriot, Kim Hyuna in the early stages. Kim settled for second with 995 while early pace-setter, Jang Ryeon Gyeong finished third with 994.

Hui Tong of Macau took fourth position with 935 followed by Zoe Tam of Hong Kong completing the top five with 917. Squad B will take to the lanes after oiling followed by Squad D and Squad C.

The bowlers will resume with the second block of five games tomorrow and will end the qualifying with the third block of five games on April 14.

The top 3 local and top 3 overseas Men's Open qualfiers will earn a bye and skip Round 2 finals. Qualifiers positioned 7 to 26 in the mixed pool plus 4 desperado qualifiers (total 24) will contest Round 2 finals over six games where the field will be cut to the top 14 finishers.

11th April, Bangkok: Korean National Sports University students put up another dominating display by occupying the top three positions of both the Men's and Ladies' Grade A Masters finals at the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open on Tuesday evening.

Peerawich Rungcharoen of Thailand and newly-crowned Men's Grade B Masters champion, Lee Ho-Hyeon of Korea set a blistering pace with 244 in their opening game to share the lead, 33 pins ahead of Mohd Yaacob B Ruslan of Malaysia and a second Korean, Baek Jong-Yun, two pins further away.

Lee kept a good momentum in his second game to remain in the lead as Peerawich suffered a lowly 174 with the Men's Grade B first runner-up, Han Jae-Hyeon moving up to second. Lee too stumbled to a poor 155 in the third game to hand the lead back to the recovering Peerawich, who shot 231.

Meanwhile, Korea totally dominated the Ladies' Grade A Masters finals by occupying the top five spots. The finals started off with Kim Hyu-Na leading after her opening game of 222 but she was quickly overtaken by Jeong Ji Woon after the second game.

Jeong and Kim battled it out in the next two games before a third Korean, Kim Min-Ji started to challenge for the lead. But Jeong was simply too good for the field reeling off 207, 223, 222 and 258 in the second half to win the crown comfortably with 1736.

Kim Min-Ji settled for second spot with 1654 and Kim Hyu-Na finished third with 1619. Kim Yeon Woo took fourth position with 1597 while a further two pins away was Jeon Ye Ran in fifth with 1595. Singapore's Calista Tan was the best non-Korean finisher in sixth position with 1522.

Jeong won THB 100,000 (approx. US$2,880) as champion as Min-Ji and Hyu-Na took home THB 50,000 and THB 25,000. The qualifying rounds for the Open division will commence tomorrow divided into four squads. They will bowl three blocks of five games each over the next three days.

11th April, Bangkok: Lee Ho-Hyeon and Han Jae-Hyeon of Korea dominated the Men's Graded B Masters finals of the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships with a one-two finish at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin.

Napat Buspanikonkul of Thailand and Jung Jin-Hua of Korea both got off the block with 213 in their opening game to share the lead, just 3 pins ahead of Hwang Sung-Hyun of Korea. Napat added a sizzling 244 to pull away into the lead as Hwang managed only 177 to drop off while Hong Soo-Ho took over second spot.

Napat held on to the lead despite rolling only 190 as a third Korean, Han Jae-Hyeon closed in for second position after the third game. The Thai dropped off the pace slightly with 181 to trail the recovering Hwang by 17 pins mid-way through the eight-game finals.

Hwang added a big game of 257 in the fifth to take over the running and moved four pins ahead of Napat as Han slipped down to third while Lee Ho-Hyeon shot a sizzling 287 to take up fourth.

Hwang and Singapore's Andy Ng completed the top five with 1561 and 1555 respectively. Lee pocketed THB 80,000 (approx. US$2,300) as champion with Han and Napat picking up THB 40,000 and THB 20,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, 53-year-old ex-army tennis coach, Pollakit Thanasang of Thailand fended off the challenge from Australia's Andrew Frawley to clinch the Senior Masters title with 1229 over six games. Frawley finished second with 1196 while Macau's Cheng Peng Sheng stormed home to snatch third spot with 1165.

Two-time Macau China Open Senior Masters champion, Wong Wang Ip of Macau, who was third before the final game, slipped down to fourth with 1158 while Alvin Teo Ah Tuan of Singapore rounded out the top five with 1136.

Pollakit won THB 40,000 (approx. US$1,150) as champion with Frawley and Cheng taking home THB 20,000 and THB 10,000 respectively. The Ladies' and Men's Grade A finals will be held later today. Qualifying rounds for the Open division will commence tomorrow.

9th April, Bangkok: Kunakorn Ponganakkul of Thailand took a convincing victory in the Youth Open Masters finals of the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships ahead of Singapore's Joyan Khoo and Thailand's Nathida Sertluecha in second and third.

Singapore national youth, Aidan Poh set a blistering pace with a big game of 279 in his opening game to lead two youth girls, Nathida by 21 pins and Kim Yeon Woo of Korea, a further 36 pins away. But Poh's lead was short-lived as Nathida took over the running after the second game.

The Singapore youth recovered with 218 to regain the lead as Nathida slipped back to second with Kim in third. Another low game from Poh dropped him out of contention while Nathida shot into the lead for the second time mid-way through the finals.

Compatriot, Kunakorn Pongankkul fired a big game of 278 to move up to second. Nathida led for another game as Kim took over second spot to trail by 39 pins.

Jarred Lim of Singapore clinched fourth spot with 1625 while Kim rounded out the top five with 1588. Kunakorn pocketed THB 50,000 (approx. US$1,440) while Khoo and Nathida picked up THB 20,000 and THB 10,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, Teerachata Ratchatahiranyakan won the Youth Under-18 Masters title with 1743 earlier. Joyan Khoo of Singapore finished second with 1741 and Supakrit Wantasuk of Thailand third with 1711. Mohd Zuhayr Redza of Malaysia and Napat Buspanikonkul of Thailand completed the top five with 1697 and 1685 respectively.

The champion won THB 40,000 with the first and second runners-up taking home THB 20,000 and THB 10,000 respectively. Qualifying for the Men's Graded B, Men's and Ladies' Grade A and Seniors will end tomorrow. Qualifying rounds for the Open Masters will be held over three blocks of five games each from April 12 to 14.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

9th April, Bangkok: Macau youth, Wong Soon Ian retained the Youth Under-15 Masters title after leading from start to finish in the six-games finals of the 43rd MWA-Singha Thailand International Open Bowling Championships at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin.

Noratiqah Syauqina of Malaysia got off to a cracking start with 224 to lead Wong by eight pins followed closely by Mohd Nor Syafiq in third, a further eight pins away. Noratiqah stumbled to a low 156 as Wong seized the opportunity to move into the lead with 180 leaving the Malaysian lass behind by 10 pins.

The 14-year-old Macau national youth, who received a 9-pin handicap per game, went on to roll consistent games of 183, 194, 191 before ending on a superb 204 to seal victory with 1222.

Noratiqah, who received a 12-pin handicap per game, stayed close behind Wong for the next three games before being overtaken by compatriot, Mohd Nor Syafiq in the sixth and final game to settle for third position with 1195. Mohd Nor Syafiq ended with a strong game of 214 to snatch second spot with 1203.