19th April, Bangkok: Rafiq Ismail of Malaysia advanced to Round 3 finals as top qualifier of the Men's Open overall qualifying standings at the 50th MWA-Thailand International Open Bowling Championships while New Hui Fen of Singapore topped the women's division.

Rafiq added a superb 1136 in his final third block to take his 15-game tally of 3419 to become the overall leader after topping Squad A. Overnight second block leader, Hiroki Tachibana of Japan, despite leading Squad B, slipped down to second with 3363. Squad C leader, Muhd Jaris Goh of Singapore finished third with 3328.

Pawat Ungtrakul, Wilaphut Andrew Wong and Sasitha Kaewklom occupied the top 3 spots in the local qualifying pool with 3143, 3120 and 3099 respectively. The top 3 overseas and top 3 local qualifiers will advance automatically to Round 3 finals.

Nu'man Syahmi Bin Yusri of Singapore headed the mixed pool in seventh position with 3270 followed by Squad D leader and five-time PBA Tour winner, Osku Palermaa of Finland in eighth with 3268.

Meanwhile in the women's division, Squad C leader New Hui Fen of Singapore, advanced to Round 3 finals as top qualifier after amassing a 15-game aggregate of 3213. Squad A leader, Sin Lin Jane of Malaysia took second spot with 3194.

Squad B leader, Lavina Kho Jia Jie of ABAS, Sarawak finished third with 3104. Pinmanus Khumchaipoom, Yanee Saebae and Chawakorn Wutti qualified as the top 3 local with 2880, 2832 and 2821 respectively. The top 3 overseas and top 3 local qualifiers will advance automatically to Round 3 finals.

Last year's second runner-up, Nora Lyana Nastasia of Malaysia headed the mixed pool with 3090 while the cut in 20th position went to Lim Shi En of Singapore with 2962. Nur Anis Anisya missed the cut by 24 pins in 27th position.

Positions 7 to 20 along with six qualifiers from the desperado squad will contest Round 2 finals tomorrow. The top 9 with the highest pinfalls will advance to Round 3 finals. The top 12 men with the highest pinfalls will advance to Round 3 finals.