17th July, Jakarta: Top seeds, Hsieh Jing Liang of Chinese Taipei and Zatil Iman of Malaysia ended the 8th Indonesia International Open with victories in the Men's and Women's Open Masters finals at Ancol Bowling Centre on Saturday evening.

Hsien Jing Liang of Chinese Taipei, who led in the first block yesterday, outclassed the field with another splendid performance to end the second block with a 16-game total of 3634, 136 pins ahead of his nearest rival, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia.

In the final stepladder match against the Indonesian, Hsieh got off the mark with six strikes-in-a-row and never gave Lalisang time to settle into his usual strides to romp home a comfortable victory, 239-166.

The 43-year-old Taiwanese won the top prize of 150 million rupiah (approx. US$15,000). The runnerup had earlier ousted No. 3 seed, Cheng Chao Yu of Chinese Taipei and winner of the first match, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia, 216-181-193 before losing to Hsieh.

Zulmazran, who was seeded sixth, beat fourth-seed, Jason Belmonte of Australia and sixth-seed, Biboy Rivera of the Philippines, 216-192-188 to advance to the second match. Lalisang settled for 10 million rupiah while Cheng took home 60 million.

The women's title also went to top seed Zatil Iman of Malaysia but she had to move into the second and deciding match to clinch victory. Zatil lost the first match, 205-212 to challenger, Geraldine Ng of Singapore.

But in the decider, the Malaysian southpaw had to strike out in the tenth frame to close out the win over the Singaporean. Geraldine, who was seeded sixth, defeated fourth-seed Putty Armein of Indonesia and fifth-seed, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia, 216-181-209 to advance into the second match.

Geraldine was equally impressive taking out No. 2 seed, Cherie Tan and No. 3 seed, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, 221-187-161 in the all-Singaporean match and almost went all the way to snatch the title.

Zatil won 50 million rupiah (approx. US$5,000) as champion while Geraldine and Cherie settled for 25 and 12.5 million respectively.

The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women qualified for the ABF Tour Indonesia leg which will be held at the same bowling centre on Sunday. The final leg of this year's tour will be held after the Hong Kong International Open on September 19.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

17th July, Jakarta: Malaysia's Zatil Iman advanced into the Women's Open Masters stepladder grand finals of the 8th Indonesia International Open as No. 1 seed after topping the second block ahead of two Singaporeans on Saturday.

Zatil Iman, was finished fourth in the first block yesterday, scorched the lanes with a sizzling 289 opening game to move into the lead followed by Singapore's Cherie Tan in second after overnight leader, Putty Armein shot a poor 152.

But it was Cherie's second game of 244 that shot the Singaporean into the lead as Zatil managed only 172. Cherie was consistent in her next four games until disaster struck 21-year-old southpaw in which she downed only 128 and sending her down to fourth.

Zatil took advantage of the opportunity to return to the top of the pack and with 58 pins over another Singaporean, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan in second. Defending champion, Shalin Zulkifli made her bid after firing a scintilating 267 in the 15th game to take up third.

Cherie bounced back with a last minute 247 but fell short by six pins as Zatil hung on to the lead with 3326 from 16 games despite posting only 190 in her final game with Cherie totaling 3320 for second.

Jasmine finished third with 3293 with Putty Armein clinching fourth spot with 3254. Shalin took fifth spot with 3237 while a third Singaporean, Geraldine Ng snatched the fnal stepladder spot with a superb final game of 243.

Second defending champion, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia was unlucky when she managed only 182 in her final game to be edged out of the top 6 by 4 pins with another Indonesian, Sharon Limansantoso in eighth.

Putty, Shalin and Geraldine will meet in the first Women's Open stepladder match in which the winner will face No. 2 seed, Cherie and No. 3 seed, Jasmine. The winner of the second match will earn a crack at the title by meeting top seed, Zatil Iman.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

16th July, Jakarta: Chinese Taipei's Hsieh Jing Liang turned in a surprise lead as he spun his way to the top of the Men's Open first block Masters in the 8th Indonesia International Open ahead of local favourite, Ryan Lalisang and Malaysia's Syafiq Ridhwan.

Three bowlers traded the lead in the early stages of the 8-game first block finals with Thailand's Annop Arromsaranon opening account with a sizzling 245. But his lead lasted only one game as local favourite, Ryan Lalisang grabbed the lead after the second game.

His lead too lasted one game as Malaysia's lanky Syafiq Ridhwan surges ahead with a splendid 252 in the third game, 12 pins ahead of the Indonesian.

But the biggest surprise was when Hsieh Jing Liang scorched the lanes with a scintilating 263 to lead the field, 38 pins ahead of another Thai, Yannaphon Larpapharat in second followed by Lalisang and Syafiq in close company.

The 43-year-old Taiwanese continued his relentless pace knocking down 217, 222, 257 and 235 to end the block with 1829 and a convincing margin of 93 pins. Lalisang also finished the second half with 209, 256, 212 and 222 to claim second spot with 1736.

Syafiq snatch third spot with 1690, just one pin ahead of PBA pro, Jason Belmonte of Australia in fourth. Mr "Consistent", Adrian Ang again finished a good fifth with 1649 while Hsieh's compatriot, Cheng Chao-Yu completed the top 6 with 1641.

One of the defending champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia, who struggled in the early stages, stormed home to end the block in eighth behind Yannaphon in seventh position. The field is very close and anyone from third to tenth positions could make the stepladder cut.

The men will resume with their second block of 8 games tomorrow afternoon after the women take to the lanes for their second 8 games. The top 6 would then advance to the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

16th July, Jakarta: Singapore Sports School's youths, Tracy See and Javier Tan dominated the Youth Under-18 Masters finals of the 8th Indonesia International Open after winning the Girl's and Boy's titles.

A poor start in Tracy See's opening game did not deter the 15-year-old Sports School student as she recovered with a scintilating 232 in the second game to move to the lead ahead of Indonesia's Indri.

Tracy continued to roll 192, 198, 145, 196, 178 and 162 to capture the Girl's Under-18 crown with a total of 1471. Cheya C of Indonesia finished second with 1429, 42 pins adrift while WOmen's Grade A first runnerup, Syncheria of Indonesia settled for third position with 1401.

Michaela Oehler, who was amongst the front-running pack, slipped down to fifth position while Joy Yap and Audrey Tan finished eighth and 11th positions respectively. Tracy won 3 million rupiah and a trophy and the Cheya and Syncheria took home 2 and 1 million rupiah.

Singapore Sports School dominated the Under-18 finals after Javier Tan gave Singapore Sports School their second victory. Javier outclassed the field with a total of 1746 and a commanding margin of 223 pins.

Two Indonesians, M Iqbal and Fachri Askhar finished a distant second and third with 1523 and 1521. Muhammad Jaris Goh missed the podium with a fourth place finish on a total of 1519.

Muhammad Danail Zheng Yi finished behind Jaris in fifth spot with 1503 ahead of another Singaporean, Anthony Low in seventh position. Javier was richer by 4 million rupiah for his victory with M Iqbal and Fachri Askhar taking home 2.5 and 1.5 million rupiah.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

16th July, Jakarta: Macau China Open first runnerup, Putty Armein of Indonesia staked her claim on the Women's Open Masters crown as she surged into the lead at the end of the first block finals on Friday morning.

Putty Armein, who had finished sixth at the 2009 Indonesia Open and fifth in the 2009 Ancol Open, will be hoping to break the jinx for a home ground victory in the women's crown after a splendid first block.

The 29-year-old Indonesian star got off to a superb start with an opening game of 214 and despite following it up with two back-to-back 202s, Putty lost the lead temporarily to 2008 Ancol Open champion, Joung Myo-Boub of Korea after the third game.

A lowly 183 in the fourth game saw Putty slipping down to fifth as Singapore's southpaw, Cherie Tan surged into the lead ahead of the Korean and her team-mate, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan a close third.

But Putty bounced back briliantly with 243, 212 and 231 to regain the lead, 24 pins ahead of Jasmine taking over second and Cherie dropping down to third. The leader finished off with 219 to take pole position with 1706.

Jasmine shot 220 in her final game to remained in second with 1683, 23 pins adrift while her compatriot, Cherie kept third spot with 1645 despite only managing 189 in her final game.

Two Malaysians, southpaw Zatil Iman and one of the defending champions, Shalin Zulkifli rounded up the top five on 1643 and 1630 respectively. The other defending champion, Tannya Roumimper is still in the hunt after taking up sixth position with 1594.

Joung Myo-Boub fizzled off in the last two games to end up in seventh position with 1586 while Hong Kong's best performer was Milki Ng in eighth with 1579.

The women will resume with their second block tomorrow morning at 9.00am where the top 6 finishers will advance to the stepladder finals. The men will contest their first block this afternoon.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

15th July, Jakarta: Singapore and Korea shared honours as Kristel Oh of Singapore triumphed in the Youth Girl's Under-21 Masters finals of the 8th Indonesia International Open while Oh Jung Hun gave the Koreans their second title on Thursday.

Apart from the opening game in which Malaysia's Syaidatul Afifah led Kristel Oh of Singapore by one pin, the 20-year-old national youth led through to the seventh game when she tied with Korea's Kwak Sun Young.

But Kristel continued her blistering pace to end the finals with 224, 184 and 255 to take victory in the Youth Girl's Under-21 finals with 2060. Bucheon University's Kwak and Kim Pu Reun had battled for second spot but it was Kim who finished stronger to claim second position with 1973.

Kwak settled for third position with 1960 ahead of another Malaysian, Hurul Ainul and Hong Kong's Zoe Tam completing the top 5 with 1902 and 1827.

Early pace-setter, Syaidatul Afifah fizzled off to end up in sixth position with 1799. Kristel won 4 million rupiah as champion while Kim and Kwak took home 2.5 and 1.5 million rupiah as first and second runnerup.

Singapore almost celebrated a superb double in the Boy's Under-21 division but the honour went to Bucheon University's 20-year-old Oh Jung Hun. Malaysia's Chong Jun Foo and fellow team-mate, Chan Wei Siang were battling for the lead in the first three games.

But the battle turned to Chong and Singapore's Justin Lim Chia Loong with each exchanging the lead thereafter as Oh stayed close behind the leading duo and Chan slipping away and out of contention.

The Malaysian had 19 pins margin over Justin Lim and a further 14 away was another Singapore youngster, Ng Chiew Pang in third followed by the Korean in fourth, a further 4 pins away going into the tenth and final game.

Oh finished the strongest with 244 to snatch the victory with 1999. Justin shot 208 to edge Chong by 12 pins as the Malaysian managed only 177 to settle for third with 1969. Ng also shot 177 to end up in fourth with 1936.

The champion won 6 million rupiah and his first international title while Justin took home 4 million rupiah. Chong settled for 2.5 million rupiah for finishing third.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

15th July, Jakarta: Filipino Biboy Rivera shared the lead of the Men's Open Masters standings with Surasak Manuwong of Thailand as the 8th Indonesia International Open entered its final day of qualifying round on Thursday at Ancol Bowling Centre.

Biboy Rivera of the Philippines finally secured his place in the finals after his fifth attempt with style. The Filipino started a cracking pace with a 247 opening game but struggled a little with 214 and 204.

And in his final game, the 36-year-old blitzed the lanes at Ancol Bowling Centre to bring home a sizzling 279 to end his effort with 944 to tie with leader, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand.

Rivera, whose best showing was four years ago in which he finished second runnerup in the 2006 Indonesia Open. Last year, Rivera was third in the first block at the 2nd Ancol Open but fizzled off in the second block.

Daniel Lim of Malaysia dropped one rung to third with his first attempt of 938 while another Thai, Annop Arromsaranon did well to secure a place in the finals with an improved 929 for fourth position.

Thai bowlers were making significant impact at this championship. 2009 ABF Tour Thailand leg champion, Benchawan Poungthong spunned her way to the top of the Women's Open Masters table with 894.

The Thai downed 192, 256, 224 and 223 to take over top spot from Singapore's Geraldine Ng, who dropped to second with 885. Another Singaporean, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan settled for third spot with 883.

Several women made improvements to secure their spots in the finals, notably Malaysia's Zatil Iman (5th-862) and Cherie Tan (7th-851) moving away from the mixed pool into the overseas pool.

Qualifying will end late tonight with the Open Masters finals being held on July 16 and 17. The Youth Girls and Boys Under-21 Masters finals are underway with the Men's Grade A finals scheduled for tonight as well.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

15th July, Jakarta: Lee Se Youn of Bucheon University in Korea clinched her maiden international title after finishing top of the Women's Grade A Masters finals ahead of two Indonesians, Syncheria and Tan Bie Liang.

Lee Se Youn, 21 and a physical science student, took over the lead from the second game and had as much as 85 pins margin over her nearest rival, Tan Bie Liang of Indonesia after the first 3-game series.

But her margin was reduced to just two pins as another Indonesian, Syncheria narrowed the gap and trailing in second after two series. Lee recovered from a poor sixth game with 222, 189 and 181 to open up a gap of 55 pins after the third series.

Her lead never looked threatened and Lee went on to claim her first international title with a total of 2288 pinfalls. Syncheria settled for second spot with 2245, 43 pins adrift as Tan Bie Liang hund on to thrid with 2233.

A Ayu of Indonesia missed the podium with a fourth place finish with 2217 ahead of Kim Soo Yang in fifth with 2175.

India's Sumathi Nalla Bantu, top qualifier Lee Kyeong Hee and Inge Y finished in the money from sixth to eighth positions. Another Indian, Namratha Kaanth missed the chance to take home a prize finishing ninth.

The Youth Girls and Youth Boys Under-21 finals will take place this afternoon while the Men's Grade A Masters will be staged tonight. Qualifying for the rest of the divisions will end late tonight also.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

14th July, Jakarta: Singapore national bowler, Geraldine Ng put in a scintilating effort to claim pole position in the Women's Open Masters qualifying table of the 8th Indonesia International Open on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Ng, who was unlucky to miss the stepladder cut after she finished seventh in the Macau China Open two weeks ago, started off with 213 in her opening game at the 10.00am squad today.

Ng then set the lanes ablazed with 258 and 236 in her next two games. She could have ended her qualifying round surpassing the 900-mark but managed only 179 in her final game. Despite the setback, she became the new leader with 885.

Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, who was fourth yesterday on 831, improved her score at the same squad to finish second to Ng, just 2 pins adrift on 883. Overnight leader and 2008 Ancol Open champion, Myo Boub-Joung was relegated into third with 869.

19-year-old University Nebraska student, SHalima Zalsha, who is back in Indonesia to compete in the on-going 8th Indonesia International Open, will head to Helsinki, Finland for this year's World Youth together with Tannya Roumimper, Raniia Nugroho and Rinne Praminintya a day after the finals.

A good result and possibly the women's title would certainly give her confidence a boost. Shalima headed the four local seeded qualifier ahead of Sharon Limansantoso, Putty Armein and Lily Suhaimi.

Daniel Lim's first attempt of 938 put the Malaysian in second position. Lim, who has opted not to be part of the Malaysian national team heading for this year's World Men's Championship in Munich downed 200, 225, 248 and 265.

Adrian Ang of Malaysia, who has been on the podium numerous times this year, once again showed his prowess to finish third with 919 pushing down PBA Tour winner, Jason Belmonte of Australia into fourth with 910.

Several men made notable improvements. They were newly-crowned Macau China Open champion, Remy Ong of Singapore tieing eighth position with team-mate, Ng Tiac Pin on 892. Singapore Open champion, Cheng Chao-Yu finished seventh with 893.

Qualifying will end tomorrow, July 15 and the Masters finals will be staged over two blocks of eight games on July 16 and 17.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

13th July, Jakarta: 2008 Ancol Open champion, Joung Myo-Boub of Korea grabbed the early lead in the Women's Open Masters qualifying table of the 8th Indonesia International Open underway at Ancol Bowl.

2008 AMF World Chup champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan of Singapore had briefly taken the lead of the Women's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard with 831 only to see her score beaten by 2008 Ancol Open champion, Myo Boub-Joung of Korea in the immediate squad that followed.

Joung started her attempt with 194 in her opening game and then quickened her pace with a superb 232 in the second. The 29-year-old Korean, who won the 2000 World Youth Team gold medal, fired 224 and 219 to end the round with 869 to take over the lead.

Another former champion, Bernice Lim of Singapore who was the 2007 Indonesia Open champion did well to knock down 247, 223, 198 and 184 to finish second spot with 852.

Newly-crowned Macau China Open champion, Sharon Koh was Malaysia's best finisher thus far with 837 to take up third spot while early leader, Jasmine slipped down to fourth with 831.

World Youth bound, Rania Nugroho headed the local pool with 833 follwed by Ivana Hie in second with 826 to join the top 4 Indonesian seeded women which is led by Shalima Zalsha, Sharon Limansantoso, Putty Armein and Lili Suhaimi.

In the Men's division, this year's Singapore Open champion, Cheng Chao-Yu of Chinese Taipei was the early leader but were relegated to fifth spot after Macau Chine Open first runner-up, Surasak Manuwong shot into the lead with 944.

The consistent Thai felled 258, 245, 222 and 219 to lead 2007 Indonesia Open champion and PBA Tour winner, Jason Belmonte of Australia, who shot 910 in his first attempt on lines of 225, 259, 190 and 236.

ABF Tour Saudi leg champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong showed a return to form after a dsiappointing run in his last championship in Macau early this month with 908 to take up third in the table.

Another Thai, Yannaphon Larpapharat finished fourth with 907 and the fourth men to knock pass the 900-mark. Tommy Andre headed the local pool with 911 followed by Hengky Susanto, Rangga Yudhira and William Wijaya.

ABF Tour TOC winner, Ryan Lalisang is seeded fifth in the local pool and will lead Indonesia's challenge for the men's crown.

The 8th Indonesia International Open, which has merged together with Ancol Open, is being jointly organized by Indonesia Bowling Association and Ancol Bowl. There will be two men defending champions (Zulmaran Zulkifli of Malaysia and George Frilingos of Australia) and two women defending champions (Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia and Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia).

Qualifying will continue through to Thursday, July 15 and the Masters finals will be held over two blocks of 8 games on July 16 and 17. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will also qualify for the ABF Tour Indonesia leg which will be staged on July 18.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.