9th March, Taoyuan: Xu Zhe Jia of Chinese Taipei defeated newly-crowned Graded Champion and second-seed, Syaffique Ikhwan of Malaysia in the second deciding final match to capture the Open Division title of the 2nd Formosa International Bowling Classic 2025.

Xu was forced into the second decider after losing the first match, 203-225 to challenger Syaffique but he bounced back brilliantly in the second match. The Taiwanese struck in his opening frame, spared his second and rolled four consecutive strikes to open up a gap of 21 pins over the Malaysian.

The 29-year-old Xu then added four more strikes-in-a-row to romp home a comfortable 257-192 victory over Syaffique to claim the title. The champion, who won the 2019 Asian Championships Team silver, had waited over five years for today's victory.

Syaffique had earlier ousted fellow compatriot and third-seed, Muhammad Danial Abu Samah and winner of the first stepladder match, Cherie Tan of Singapore, 225-197-206 in the second stepladder match to face the Taiwanese spinner in the final. Tan dispatched two Hong Kong nationals, fourth-seed Ivan Tse and fifth-seed, Leo Choi, 202-187-146 in the first match.

Muhammad Danial, Ivan Tse and Leo Choi took home NT$70,000, NT$60,000 and NT$50,000 for finishing fourth to sixth positions respectively. In the earlier 6-games Round 2 finals, Xu topped the field with 1355 followed by Syaffique in second with 1312.

Muhammad Danial finished third with 1310, five pins ahead of Tse and Choi with identical total of 1295. The Singaporean made the cut for the stepladder finals in sixth position with 1291. Top overseas pool qualifier, Ethan Damien Goh of Malaysia missed the cut by seven pins for finishing seventh.

Muhammad Danial topped Round 1 finals this morning with 1343 followed by Chou Chia Chen of Chinese Taipei in second with 1312 and Quratu'Ain Izdihar Binti Mohd Pozi of Malaysia in third with 1306. The top 26 from this round advanced to Round 2 finals.

Mr Chan Shu-Tung, proprietor of Dongdong Bowl was on hand to present the prizes and trophies to the Open division winners. A total of 125 bowlers competed in the Open division. 110 bowlers were classified in the Graded division, 66 in the Spinner division, 47 in the Senior division and 85 in the Youth U22 division.