13th January, Jakarta: Tour debutant, Chan Suk Han of Hong Kong and Thailand's veteran, Kritchawat Jampakao emerged as women's and men's ABF Tour Tournament of Champions in the finals which ended at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre Sunday afternoon.

Indonesia's only contender, Shalima Zalsha started off well with a strike but had an open frame in the second as nerves clearly showed in the 17-year-old. The turning point to the match came when she had another two open frames in the fifth and sixth.

With her opponent struggling, Chan Suk Han seized the opportunity as she reeled off three strikes-in-a-row to put herself firmly in the driver's seat and looking set for a victory. Despite striking home in the final frame, the match was already decided with Chan winning comfortably, 218-168.

"I must admit that I was really nervous in the semifinals but I was able to settle down in the finals," said the 35-year-old Hong Kong national bowler. "This is my first major win and I dedicate this victory to the opportunity given to me by the Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress.

The champion reached the finals after narrowly beating Indonesia's Happy Soediyono in the second semifinal match, 187-177. Chan also outclassed Thailand's Angkana Netvriseth, 224-154 in quarterfinals to reach the semifinals.

The runner-up, Shalima Zalsha knocked out top-seed, Liza Clutario of the Philippines in the quarterfinals and Malaysia's Tang Joh Six, 209-206 in the semi before going down to Chan in the finals.

Spinners had a field day as Kritchawat Jampakao claimed the men's title by easily defeating Surasak Manuwong, 203-174 in the all-Thai finals. The ex-international made sure he made no mistakes when matched against a younger opponent.

Surasak had a good start with a strike and then a double in the third and fourth frames to take a slight lead over his fellow compatriot in the finals. But three costly open frames proved decisive as Kritchawat came home with a clean game to claim a well deserved victory.

"I have not been very active in last year's tournaments and I'm lucky to reach the finals and to win," said the delighted 42-year-old Kritchawat. "I hope to travel more this year and compete in the Asian circuit.

The topseed reached the finals beating another Thai, Somjed Kusonpithak, 225-179 in the semifinals and Korea's Oh Young Ki, 226-205 in the quarterfinals earlier. Surasak beat another Korean, Lee Young Jun, 186-168 in the semi and favourite, Jason Belmonte of Australia, 218-168 in the quarterfinals.

Kritchawat Jampakao took home a whopping US$20,000 for the victory while Chan Suk Han won US$10,000 for her effort. Surasak and Shalima settled for US$8,000 and US$5,000 respectively for finishing second.

The finals today saw yet another stella year for Asian Bowling Federation in which six legs were held which began in April in Kuwait and ending with the last leg in September in Hong Kong. The top 16 men and top 16 women made the TOC via ranking points earned from all the legs contested.

The finals was also telecast LIVE locally over Metro TV. Highlights of the finals will also be televised later on local television stations of the six countries where the tour were held.

For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

12th January, Jakarta: First block leader, Liza Clutario of the Philippines and Thailand's Kritchawat Jampakao led all the way in the second block to move into the knockout quarterfinal stage of the ABF Tour Tournament of Champions on Day 2 at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre.

Overnight leader, Liza Clutario of the Philippines immediately settled down into her stride to increase her lead of 62 pins by a further 10 pin at the start of the second block this morning.

The 2005 SEA Games Masters gold medalist never look threatened at all winning all but the final game to top the field with 3219 and a comfortable margin of 68 pins. Indonesia's best performer was Happy Soediyono, who settled for second with 3151 after trailing the Filipina most of the way.

Thailand's Angkana Netvriseth did well to improve her overnight position of fifth to third spot with 3093 as another local top contender, Putty Armein dropped to fourth position with 3055. Hong Kong's spinner, Chan Suk Han rounded u the top 5 with 3043.

Indonesia's youngster, Shalima Zalsha, who was at one stage in a dangerous position in seventh, fought back to finish sixth as Malaysia's Lai Kin Ngoh and Tang Joh Six both squeezed into the next round in seventh and eighth positions respectively.

Tour topranked, Kim EUn Jung of Korea, who was in eighth position before the final game, missed the cut after a poor 155 in the last game to end up in ninth while another local hopeful, Tannya Roumimper finished a dismal 14th.

In the men's division, ex-international, Kritchawat Jampakao of Thailand was simply too good for the field as he spinned his way to end the second block with 3288, 90 pins ahead of his nearest opponent.

The Tha posted 1500 and winning sixth out of the seventh games played today. Fellow-countrymen, Surasak Manuwong gave Thailand a 1-2 finish when the Thai took second spot with 3198.

2005 TOC champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong, put in a spirited display to crawl his way into third spot from seventh position prior to the final game. Wu amassed a total of 3152 winning six games.

Overnight leader, Oh Young Ki of Korea could not keep up with the hot pace and dropped to share fourth spot with another Thai, Somjed Kusonpithak with 3148 while favourite, Jason Belonte of Australia made the cut in sixth position with 3142.

Korea's Lee Young Jun finished seventh with 3108 as Indonesia's only men and the tour ranked No. 1, Ryan Lalisang fought on galantly to crawl up from 14th overnight to snatch the final spot in the next round in eighth position. Filipino, Biboy Rivera missed the cut finishing in ninth position by just 11 pins.

The top 8 women and top 8 men moves into the exciting eliination knockout rounds tomorrow (Sunday). The winners of the first round will meet in the semifinals and finals for the top prize of US$20,000 for the men and US$10,000 for the women division.

The semifinals will commence at 1.00pm local time and will be telecast LIVE over Metro TV. For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com

Photos by Terence Yaw.

11th January, Jakarta: Oh Young Ki and Liza Clutario had a great start in the ABF Tour - Tournament of Champions underway at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre as the lanky Korean and the experienced Filipina ended the first block in pole positions.

UAE's Sayed Ibrahim, who made the grand finals as a result of Kuawit's Fadhel Al-Mousawi and Saudi's Yousif Akbar pulling out, had a cracking start to lead the field of 16 finals with 244 and 212 with Australia's Jason Belmonte hot on his heels.

Despite winning his third match with 214, Belmonte's 247 put the Aussie in front with 21 pins advantage. At the halfway mark, Thailand's Kritchawat Jampakao surged into the lead after consistently posting 195, 245, 191 and 235 in his first 4 matches.

As The Thai continued to maintain the lead, it was Korea's Oh Young Ki who began to mount his challenge with 233 and 225 in the sixth and seventh game to overtake Kritchawat for the lead and 15 pins ahead.

The Philippines leg champion hung on to the lead finishing with 214 and a total of 1776 winning six of the 8 games as Belmonte recovered to snatch second spot with 1757. Pace-setter, Kritchawat ended the block in third spot with 1728 as Sayed Ibrahim settled for fourth with 1665.

In the women's division, 2005 SEA Games Masters gold medalist, Liza Clutario of the Philippines found her old spark to top the field with a total of 1796 and winning all her eight matches with a comfortable margin of 62 pins.

Local youngster TOC debutant, Shalima Zalsha impressed with a superb start with 258 but had to share the lead with Clutario after the third game. While Shalima attempted to stay in front, fellow countrywomen, Putty Armein took over the lead at the halfway mark, 11 pins ahead of Shalima.

The 16-year-old fought back galantly to regain the lead after knocking down 212 and 232 with the Filipina close behind. But two poor games of 170 and 159 allowed Clutario to draw clear of her to end the block in front with a total of 1796.

Indonesia's Happy Soediyono stormed home to snatch second spot with 1734 followed by Putty Armein in third with 1730. Shalima settled for fourth spot with a total of 1688. Thailand's Angkana Netvriseth rounded up the top 5 in fifth spot with 1651.

The finalists will continue their second block of 7 games at 12.00 noon tomorrow (12th January) at the end of which the top 8 would make the cut for the knockout stage on Sunday LIVE on Metro TV.

For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw.