11th August, Jakarta: Australia's Jason Belmonte clinched the Men's title of the 5th Indonesia International Open while Singapore's youngster, Bernice Lim won her first major victory by claiming the Women's crown at Jaya Ancol Bowl.

The 24-year-old Aussie, who lost to another Korean, Joung Seong Joo in March this year at the Malaysian International Open, this time round defeated challenger and Korea's Jun Byung-Oh, 214-204 to claim his first Asian title.

Jason Belmonte's last Asian victory was the 2006 Milo International Junior All Stars in December when he was able to compete in the youth division. The champion started the final stepladder match against Jun with a 5 bagger to take a commanding lead at the halfway mark but a minor split in the sixth frame did not deter his determination.

Despite responding with a turkey from frame four, the Korean simply had no answer the blistering pace the Aussie set and had to settle for the runners-up spot. Jun, who was seed second, just could not repeat the fire he set when he ousted third-seed, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia and winner of the first match, Lee Young-Jun, 249-158-202 to set up the match with Belmonte.

His teammate, Lee easily disposed off fifth-seed, Andrew Frawley of Australia and sixth-seed, Saeed Al-Hajri of Qatar, 246-151-214 in the men's stepladder finals. Belmonte took home Indonesian Rupiah 100 million (US$10,000) while Jun settled for Rupiah 60 million.

"The lanes today was even more difficult than yesterday but fortunately I made all my spares," said the relaxed Belmonte after finishing as topseed with 3463 after the two blocks finals played over two days.

"I was leading about 55 pins going into the final game and I knew that if the Korean shot 260, I had to at least finish with a minimum of 220. So when I shot 224, I knew I had pole firmly in my hands. It's a fanstatic feeling to win here in Jakarta and it's better than winning elsewhere in the world.

Meanwhile, Singapore's 15-year-old Bernice Lim couldn't ask for a better outing in her first senior masters finals but had to work hard for the victory. The top-seed was forced into a sudden-death match after narrowly loosing the first to Malaysia's Trish Khoo, 156-169.

After some encouraging words from her coach, Adam Chew who was sitting beside her during the match, Bernice quickly settled down to her usual self. And apart from a miss in her opening frame, the champion knocked down two crucial strikes and made sure she had no open frames.

Bernice won the deciding match, 186-172 to win her first-ever major international title after a disappointing 9th in the Youth Girls Under 23 finals two days ago. The Singapore Sports School student was 11th in the first block but surprised a strong field to edge Hong Kong's Chan Shuk Han for top-seed with a total of 3229.

Trish Khoo, who was recently promoted to the Malaysian national backup squad after winning the Thailand International Youth title in May this year, again settled for second. The 19-year-old had two days ago, finished second in the Youth Girls Under 23 masters.

The Malaysian earned a crack at the title after she knocked out, Chan Shuk Han and fellow-countrywomen, Lai Kin Ngoh, 215-189-199 in the women's second stepladder match. Lai progressed into the second match after she disposed off fourth-seed and local favourite, Shalima Zalsha and first block leader, Kim Eun Jung of Korea, 189-174-160 in the first match.

Bernice was richer by Rupiah 40 million (US$4,000) while Trish took home Rupiah 20 million and Chan settled for Rupiah 12.5 million. Lai, who was sixth-seed moved up to fourth relegating Shalima and Kim to fifth and sixth positions respectively.

A total of 420 bowlers took part in the 5th Indonesia International Open which was made up from 24 countries. 260 participants were from overseas while the rest from Indonesia. "This has by far our most successful championship in its fifth year and a total of 3439 masters qualifying attempts were entered by the bowlers", said Oky Harwanto, the organizing chairman during a press conference at the end of the stepladder finals.

"But good things do sometimes have to come to an end as our five year contract to host the Indonesia Open has ended and we will hand the hosting back to the Indonesian Bowling Federation. However, we are confident that with the support from Jaya Ancol Bowling and our hard working committee members, we may see our own international open in the future.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

10th August, Jakarta: Jason Belmonte of Australia claimed pole position in the Men's Open Masters first block finals of the 5th Indonesia International Open ahead of Korea' Jun Byung-Oh and Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli which just ended at Jaya Ancol Bowl.

Freddy Isk of Indonesia set a cracking pace at the start of the 8-game fisrt block with 258 but nose dived down the field after back-to-back low games which saw Qatar's Saeed Al-Hajri and Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong to swap leads after 3 games.

Korea's Lee Young-Jun and Thailand's Surasak Manuwong shared the lead at the halfway mark when both amassed 883 while Jason Belmonte of Australia posted 255 to quickly moved up close to the leader in second.

The second half of the first block belonged to the Aussie as he reeled off 237, 245, 211 and 201 to end the block with a total of 1763 to clinch pole position just 8 pins ahead of the fast finishing Jun Byung-Oh of Korea in second.

Jun totaled 1754 to snatch second spot from Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli, who was trailing Belmonte in second before the final game. Zulmazran settled for third with 1747 ahead of another Aussie, Andrew Frawley fourth on 1687. Early leader, Wu Siu Hong dropped to fifth with 1678 follwed by debutant, Andres Gomez of Colombia rounding up the top 6 with 1662.

"I made a mistake when I tried to bowl big games too quickly as I wanted to start strongly," said the 24-year-old Belmonte from Orange, New South Wales. "When I slowed down my pace a little and stayed patient especially in these tough conditions, I guess it paid off.

Top local title contender, Ryan Lalisang did well to stay close with the top 6 to finish seventh with 1653 followed by Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE, Lee Young-Jun and another debutant, George Frilingos completing the top 10.

"I started a bit slow in this tough condition but as soon as I found a good line to bowl I had a few massive games to help me stay with the leader," said the 24-year-old Zulmazran Zulkifli. "It won't be easy tomorrow with good opponents like Jason and Wu Siu Hong and I think the gap is very close.

The men will continue their second block of 8 games in the afternoon at 1.30pm and the top 6 at the end of the block will make the cut for the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

10th August, Jakarta: Kim Eun Jung of Bowling Camp, Korea set course for first win this year when the Korean topped the Women's Open Masters first block finals of the 5th Indonesia International Open at Jaya Ancol Bowl Friday afternoon.

When the top 24 qualifiers took to the lanes, Youth Girl's U23 second runner-up, Tannya Roumimper immediately set a cracking pace with 245 for an early lead but only just 4 pins ahead of Filipina, Jojo Canare, who posted 241. The Beijing-bound youngster continued her hot pace in the lead but was soon caught up by her teammate, Shalima Zalsha leveling on 833 at the halfway mark.

The two Indoneisan youths only had 2 pins separating them after the fifth with Tannya posting 213 and Shalima 211 not realizing that Korea's Kim Eun Jung was hot on their heels. A superb 256 from the Korean saw her surging to the front and taking over the lead by 14 pins from Tannya.

With just two games left, Kim criused to a comfortable end to the 8-games first block with a total of 1690, 31 pins from Tanny, who settled for second

with 1659. Filipina, Liza Clutario snatched third spot with 1655 with the defending champion, Zara Glover of England finishing strongly in fourth on 1647.

"I didn't start off too good as the approach was quite slipery to my liking," said the 33-year-old Kim at the end of the first block. "I kept telling myself that I just have to make sure I don't miss any spares and to keep my focus. I felt a bit more comfortable in the second half and I'm glad I can post good scores to end with the lead.

"I knew I was amongst the front runners but wasn't sure that I was leading," said the 16-year-old Asian Youth bound. "A lot of the local supporters were watching me and I knew I must be leading then. My father kept telling me to not get distracted and just concentrate on my game.

Early joint-leader, Shalima Zalsha faded off slightly to take up fifth with 1644 with Youth Girl's U23 first runner-up, Trish Khoo rounding up the top 6. Local topseed, Happy Soediyono and top Indonesia title contender, Putty Armein could only manage 14th and 13th positions respectivley.

"I bowled good today but I missed too many spares," said the defending champion, Zara Glover of England. "I'm not too worried and I'll just have to try harder tomorrow to catch up with the leaders and try to make the cut for the stepladder finals.

The women will bowl another 8-games in the second block starting at 9.00am Saturday, 11th August and the top 6 will proceed to the stepladder finals. The men will contest their first block at 2.30pm later today.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

9th August, Jakarta: Current Asian ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung of Bowling Camp, Korea surged to the top of the Women's Open Masters qualifying table of the 5th Indonesia International Open at Jaya Ancol Bowl as the men made their final bid to make the cut.

The 33-year-old Kim Eun Jung, who despite not having won any title this year but has finished as runner-up in several international open championships, posted 217, 228, 238 and 189 for a total of 872 to take pole position in the overseas pool on Wednesday afternoon.

The Korean, who is studying English in Penang island, north of Malaysia, was first runner-up in the ABF Tour tournament of champions to Malaysia's Wendy Chai in January, third at Kuwait Open and second at Sinai Open in Egypt. But most importantly, she has participated in both the Thailand and Philippines Open and finished in the top 10 to lead the Asian Rankings with 229 points.

Late into the early hours of the final day of qualifying, youngster, Bernice Lim

of Singapore Sports School impressed with 859 to take up second spot pushing down overnight leader, Vanessa Fung of Hong Kong into third on 850.

Other women making the cut on final day were Cecilia Yap of Philippines in fifth with 842, newly-crowned Women's Graded A champion, Tan Bie Liang of Indonesia in 7th in the mixed pool with 783. both knocking out Malaysia's Noorhanizah Abu Bakar into reserve.

H.H. Emir Cup champion, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar stood firmly in pole with 945 posted two days ago ahead of UAE's Sayed Ibrahim in second with 935. Saudi Arabia's Yousif Akbar stormed into third spot with 933 and pushing down Australia's Jason Belmonte into fourth spot on 930.

Ten men made the cut just today and they were Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli (17th-929) and Syahereza Fajrin (23rd-914); Korea's Han Ji Hoon (18th-922) and Jun Byung Oh (32nd-886); Thailand's Yannaphon Larpapharat (20th-917) and Surasak Manuwong (25th-907); George Frilingos of Australia (24th-908); Philippines' Paeng Nepomuceno (28th-903), Biboy Rivera (31st-893) and Tyrone Ongpauco (35th-884).

Qatar's Abdulla Al-Qattan and USA's Tim Mack will have to bowl 1 game to break the tie of 883 which will determine the final qualifer tomorrow.

The women will contest their finals in the first block of 8 games at 10.00am while the men will take to the lanes at 2.30pm. All the finalists will bowl another 8 games on Saturday and the top 6 from both the division will make the cut for the stepladder grand finals. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will also qualify for the ABF Tour Indonesia leg which will be held on Sunday at Jaya Ancol Bowl.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

8th August, Jakarta: The city of Jakarta felt a 7.5 magnitude earthquake at midnight during the delayed 9.00pm qualifying squad of the 5th Indonesia International Open but it didn't stop the competitors from vying for a spot in the finals.

The participants scrambled out of the 60-lane Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre as everyone shouted "Gempa" in Indonesian language or "Earthquake" when they felt the earth beneath them starting to rumbled and the TV monitors sway on the second game of the 4-game delayed 9.00pm qualifying rounds.

They stayed out in the car park for about 15 mins before settling down and returning to continue their game. A few competitors had their frame re-racked as some of them saw their delivery moving in different directions. Back at the hotel, the participants, officials and parents took to the emergency escape staircase to scramble down to the lobby and out of the hotel for safety.

"We were about to doze off for a good night's sleep but felt the bed moving and the walls rattling," said Alex Liew, the defending champion from

Malaysia. "I realized something was not right and when I open my room door, I saw all the other occupants shouting earthquake and running towards the escape stairways.

"This is my first experience of an earthquake and right now, I'm not ready to return to my room just yet," exclaimed Alex. The earthquake originated from Java sea, approximately 100km from Jakarta. The quake was felt from as far as Bandung, a further 140km from Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Open champion, Vanessa Fung of Hong Kong maintained pole position in the Women's Open division with a score of 850 posted earlier in the day. It was her third attempt after only managing a 733 and a 779 in her two earlier rounds. Teammate, Chan Shuk Han finished second with 843 with Singapore's Rena Teng improving to 818 for third spot.

The top 4 local seeded women were Happy Soediyono, Ivana Hanjaya, Novie Phang and Tannya Roumimper while Shalima Zalsha, Lily Suhaimi and top Indonesian women contender, Putty Armein completing the top 8 in the local pool.

Newly-crowned H.H. Emir Cup champion, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar remained on top of the Men's Open Masters qualifying overseas pool with 945 posted in the afternoon. UAE's Sayed Ibrahim surged into second with a superb 935 to relegate, Jason Belmonte of Australia into third spot on 930.

Qatar's Saeed Al-Hajri, Korea's Lee Young Jun from Ulsan, Thailand's Surasak Manuwong, Hong Kong's duo of Wu Siu Hong and Daniel Yiu were five bowlers from fourth to eighth positions in the overseas pool to post above the 900-mark scores in extremely difficult conditions judging from the scores.

Championship debutants, Adres Gomez of Colombia, George Frilingos of Australia, Tery Leong of USA made the finals but only in the mixed pool. 2003 World Championship Team gold medalist, Robert Andersson was in

the reserves together with Hall-of-Famer, Paeng Nepomuceno and Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli and would only have one day left to make the cut.

The top 6 local seeded players were ex-international, David Sitorus, Haqi Armein, Jovano L, Oscar, Rudy Gunawan and Kuwait Open champion and top local men challenger, Ryan Lalisang. Qualifying ends tonight at 11.30pm.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

7th August, Jakarta: Newly-crowed H.H. Emir Cup champion, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar set course to capture his third international title as the Qatari led the Men's Open Masters qualifying table of the 5th Indonesia International Open underway at Jaya Ancol Bowl.

Mubarak, 29 who arrived two days earlier but struggled to find his form, blazed the lanes with lines of 267, 255, 210 and 213 to amassed a total of 945 at the 7.30pm squad to take over a brief lead held by Australia's Jason Belmonte.

Belmonte, who led the table with a superb 930 posted earlier today, settled for second on lines of 266, 213, 228 and 223 on his third attempt since yesterday.

"In my second atempt, I saw the transitions of the lanes changing too quickly and that had made my line difficult," said the 24-year-old Aussie disappointingly. "But I made a few adjustments toward the end of my second attempt and I knew what I had to do to make good shots.

Occupying third spot was Mubarak's teammate, Saeed Al-Hajri on a score of 916 with Korea's Lee Young-Jun rounding up the top 5 in the overseas pool. Meanwhile in the local front, ex-national, David Sitorus topped the local pool ahead of Haqi Armein in second and Jovano L third.

Asian champion and Kuwait Open champon, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia, who missed last year's championship due to his preparations for the Asian Championship in Jakarta, only managed a sixth-place finished but has asured himself a place in the finals.

In the ladies' division, SEA Games gold medalist, Happy Sodieyono of Indonesia finished as top-seed in the local pool ahead of Ivana Hanjaya and 2004 Indonesia Open champion, Novie Phang in second and third.

Kuwait Open champion, Vanessa Fung led the overseas pool with 850 followed by fellow-countrywomen, Chan Shuk Han in second on 843 with newly-promoted to the Malaysian national backup squad and Thailand Youth champion, Trish Khoo third on 805.

Meanwhile, the 5th International Open had its colourful and lavish opening ceremony graced by the Head of Indonesian National Sports Committee, Ms Rita Subowo last night attended by a list of impressive dignitaries and guests.

They included FIQ President, Mr Steve Hontiveros, Dr Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General, Mr Isra M Tahir, Chairman of Jakarta Bowling Association and Committee Chairman of the 5th Indonesia International Open, Mr Oky Harwanto.

Participants from Australia, Brunei, Colombia, England, Guam, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, USA and host Indonesia converge to battle fro glory in the week long competition.

Qualifying will end late tomorrow evening (8th August) and the Open Masters finals will be played over two blocks of 8 games commencing 10th August and culminating in the stepladder grand finals after the second block on Saturday, 11th August.

Malays'a Alex Liew and England's Zara Glover will be defending the titla they won last year and Glover will be aiming for a hatrick of wins after capturing the women's crown for two consecutive years.

Photos by Terence Yaw.