5th September, Macau: Topseeds, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong and Kim Hyun Mi of Korea triumphed in the Men's and Open Masters stepladder finals to emerge as 2009 Macau China International Open champions on Saturday evening.

Hot favourite, Wu Siu Hong needed only one game when he beat challenger and second-seed, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand, 222-205 in the title match to win his second international title this year.

Wu, who bagged the PBAP Classic Masters title early last month in Manila and the Singles silver medal in the Koahsiung World Games in July, struck out from frame seven to overhaul Surasak in the championship match.

Surasak had led at the sixth frame by 25 pins but failed to carry his momemtum in the crucial stage of the game. The Thai had earlier prevented an-all Hong Kong final when he outclassed youngster, Michael Mak in the semifinals, 252-211.

The fourth-seed and 15-year-old Mak had outshoned third-seed Kim Sang Pil of Korea, 245-195 in the Men's first stepladder match to face the formidable Surasak in the semi. Wu won MOP$70,000 (US$9,000) and the champion's trophy.

Surasak settled for MOP$35,000 while Mak and Kim took home MOP$20,000 and MOP$8,000 respectively for finishing third and fourth.

The champion ended the Round 2 Masters with a total of 1872 to finish as topseed with Surasak rolling down 1831 in second. Kim Sang Pil's superb final game of 247 moved the Korean up from sixth to third with 1766 as Mak squeezed into the stepladder finals in fourth with 1715.

In the women's division, topseed Kim Hyun Mi of Korea had to work hard for the title when the 22-year-old was stretched into the second and deciding game after losing to second-seed and challenger, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia, 219-248 in the first game.

But Kim streaked to a 25-pin lead after rolling five consecutive strikes from the third frame and another turkey from frame nine to romp home a comfortable victory over the Indonesian. Tannya could not repeat the form she displayed in the first match to go down, 219-257.

Tannya, who won the Youth Masters title a day earlier, defeated Hong Kong's Joey Yip, 201-168 in the semifinals to challenge for the title. Yip, who was seeded fourth, ousted third-seed, Park Ju Young of Korea, 234-148 in the first match.

Kim was richer by MOP$40,000 (US$5,100) as champion with Tannya settling for MOP$20,000. Yip and Park took home MOP$10,000 and MOP$5,000 respectively for finishing third and fourth.

The champion completed the 8-game Round 2 finals with a total of 1788, 68 pins ahead of Tannya on 1720. Park posted 1684 for third spot while Yip edged Singapore's Geraline Ng by 1 pin to make the stepladder cut in fourth.

The top 16 men and top 16 women qualified for the inaugural Asian Bowling Federation Tour Macau leg which will be staged at the same Cotai Bowling Center on Sunday.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.

4th September, Macau: Asian champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong looked set to land his second title of the year after leading the Men's Open Round 1 Masters of the 2009 Macau China International Open at the Cotai Bowling Center on Friday evening.

Wu, was won his first international title by capturing the PBAP Classic Masters crown early last month, got off to a great start but trailed local youngster, Van Ka Kei by 6 pins.

Despite rolling consistently in his next three games, Wu was only amongst the top 6 as Thailand's Annop Arromsaranon scorched to a 33-pin lead over Korea's Kim Sang Pil. Two stronger games from the Hong Kong national gave him the lead past the halfway mark.

Wu finished strongly with 232 and 226 to end the first round in the lead with 1829. Perfect gamer, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand, held on to second spot with 1819.

Filipino, Biboy Rivera stormed home with a scintillating 289 in his final game to snatch third spot with 1814 from the Korean, who settled for fourth with 1786 ahead of pace-setter, Annop taking fifth spot with 1773.

Asian Youth Games two gold medalist, Michael Mak did well to clinch eighth place with 1738 behind another Filipino, Chester King seventh with 1766. Squeezing in 16th was Hong Kong's Ken Wong, thanks to a 246 in his last game at an average of 209.

Thailand's Sithiphol Kunaksorn missed the cut by just a single pin with 1674. Hong Kong and Thailand have four in the top 16 Round 2 with Korea three, Philiippines and China two each and a Macau youth, Van Ka Kei.

They will bowl another 8 games in the second round at the end of which the top 4 will advance to the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.

4th September, Macau: Korean women dominated the Women's Open Round 1 Masters finals of the 2009 Macau China International Open with Lee Seung Ree leading her team-mates, Kim Hyun Mi and Choi Hae Yum to occupy the top 3 positions.

Choi Hae Yum got off the blocks with a better start than her two other compatriots but lost the lead to Lee Seug Ree at the halfway mark to trail by 38 pins. Lee grabbed the lead after a sizzling 290 in her fourth game.

Lee, 20 and a physical science student of the Korean National Sports University, ended the 8-game first round with a superb 1802 for an impressive average of 225.25. Top qualifier, Kim Hyun Mi finished stronger to snatch second spot with 1771.

Early pace-setter and southpaw, Choi Hae Yum settled for third with 1770 to stamp their dominance and gave the Koreans the top 3 positions.

Ex-international, Joey Yip was Hong Kong's best performer taking up fourth spot with 1757 while World Women's Championship Masters finalist, Putty Armein of Indonesia finished in the top 5 with 1708.

Macau's spinner, Chan Weng Sam did well to take up sixth spot with 1696 ahead of newly-crowned Youth Masters champion, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia seventh with 1695. Korea's Park Ju Young took the 16th and last spot to advance into the second round with exactly 200 average.

Six Koreans, two Chinese, two Indonesians, two Macau and one each from Hong Kong, Philippins, Malaysia and Singapore made up the top 16 who will advance into the second round for another 8 games from

scratch. The top 4 at the end of the second round will make the cut for the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.

3rd September, Macau: Newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia cruised to an easy victory in the Youth Masters finals to claim the title at the 2009 Macau China International Open on Thursday morning.

Asian Youth Games two gld medalist, Michael Mak of Hong Kong, set the pace with a superb opening game of 258 to lead Indonesia's Tannya Roumimper by 35 pins but was immediately overtaken by Tannya after the second game just two pins ahead of Mak.

The Indonesia Open champion shot a scintillating 264 and 257 in her next two games to open up a comfortable 90 pins margin over her nearest opponent, Mak in second. Rolling down consistent games of 214, 203, 221 and 237 allowed her to cruise to a convincing victory.

Although Tannya was allocated 8 pins handicap per game, her scratch score of 1832 was enough to seal the victory and totaling 1896 with handicap.

"The lanes today were better than the qualifying rounds and I managed to bowl more consistently," said the 18-year-old Tannya Roumimper. "In the qualifying round, you had to be very accurate but today there were room for small mistakes."

Mak settled for second with 1728 while Macau national youth squad and 16-year-old Santa Rosa De Lima student, Hui Tong did well to finish in the podium in third position on a total of 1619 ahead of Jason Sim of Hong Kong in fourth spot with 1582.

Local favourite, Chan Weng Sam had a poor start but fought back galantly to finish a creditable fifth spot on a total of 1541 with 64 pins total handicap. The champion won MOP$2,000 for her effort while Mak took home MOP$1,000 and Hui Tong MOP$500.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.

3rd September, Macau: Macau bowlers are set to challenge for the Men's and Women's Open Masters titles of the 2009 Macau China International Open as qualifying moves into its final day on Thursday.

Macau national squad member, Choi Io Fai led Jose Machon, Lok Hei Ieong and Leong Kin Keong as the top 4 local seeded qualifiers in the Men's Open Masters table against some of the best Asian overseas qualifiers.

Lee Tak Man topped the table as the fifth qualifier with an impressive 6-game total of 1391 followed by Man Si Kei and Van Ka Kei second and third with 1353 and 1289. They will be joined by Zoe Dias Ma, Chang Peng Sang and Soi Hon Ming making up the ten local challengers.

Continung to top the overseas pool is perfect gamer, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand on a total of 1532 followed by Park Min-Su of Korea National Sports University in second with 1504 and PBAP Classic champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong third with 1476.

Bahrain Open champion, Remy Ong of Singapore topped the mixed pool with 1409 ahead of Thailand's Annop Arramsaranon in second with 1408. Current benchmark to make the cut in 18th position as at 9.30pm squad last night was Chen Xiao Hu of China on 1361.

Over in the women's division, AMF World Cup bound, Yuen Nga Lai of Macau led the local women's challenge for the coveted title as the top seeded qualifier followed by Julia Lam and youth, Chan Weng Sam second and third.

Filomena Choi topped the local pool with 1335 ahead of Hui Tong and Foo Cheuk Ling as the remaining local challengers for the Masters finals. Un Im Cheng of Macau made the cut in 11th position in the mixed pool.

The top 3 positions in the overseas pool remained unchanged as Korea's Kim Hyun-Mi sat firmly atop the table with 1476. Another Korean, Park Ju Young tied with Hong Kong's Vanessa Fung for second

spot with 1352. The current cut off in 14th position was China's Liu Nian with a total of 1214.

Qualifying will end tonight with the last squad at 11.30pm. The Men's and Women's Open Masters qualifiers will contest first block of 8 games on Friday where the field will be cut down to top 16 men and women for the second block from scratch. The top 4 at the end of 16 games will advance to the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.

2nd September, Macau: Overnight leader, Kim Hyun-Mi of Korean National Sports University cemented pole position in the Women's Open Masters qualifying table of the 2009 Macau China International Open with an improved show on Tuesday evening.

Having topped the table with two 3-game series of 764 and 603, Kim Hyun-Mi bettered her second series with a superb 712 in her third attempt to retain pole with a 6-game aggregate total of 1476.

The 22-year-old student of the Korean National Sports University led team-mate, Park Ju-Young, who totaled 1352, to give Korea and one-two finish. Asian Youth Games two gold medalist, New Hui Fen dropped one rung to third on 1346.

Another Korean, Lee Mi-Ryung also impressed with 1340 to take up fourth spot ahead of ABF Tour Hong Kong leg champion, Chen Dong Dong of China rounding up the top 5 with 1317.

Newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion, Tannya Roumimper also made up grounds from ninth in the mixed pool to take up sixth position with 1315 followed by Geraldine Ng of Singapore completing the top 7 who have surpassed the 1300-mark with 1306.

Yuen Nga Lai and Julia Lam of Macau are the two seeded qualifiers while Asian Intercity bronze medalist, Chan Weng Sam, Filomena Choi, Hui Tong and Ku Sok Va occupied the remaining four slots in the local pool.

In the Men's division, Korean youngster, Park Min-Su failed to topple leader, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand after a good run in his latest attempt and fell short by 28 pins to settled for second with 1504.

Surasak Manuwong, whose best performance this year was finishing first runnerup in the Malaysian Open, remained top with 1532 after shooting the tournament's first perfect game on Monday.

PBAP Classic champion, Wu Siu Hong also did well to take up third spot with 1476 from his two 3-game series of 740 and 736. Koo Seong Hoi of Korea and Ken Wong of Hong Kong completed the top 5 with 1435 and 1430.

Choi Io Fai, Jose Machon of Macau, Lok Hei Ieong and Leong Kin Keong are the four seeded qualifiers in the local pool with Lee Tak Man topping the table with 1391. Man Si Kei and Zoe Dias Ma rounded up the top 3 with 1353 and 1285 respectively.

The top 40 men from the local pool, overseas pool and the mixed pool and the top 30 women from the local pool, overseas pool and mixed pool will contest the Masters finals on September 4 and 5 over two blocks of 8 games each.

The top 4 at the end of the two blocks will advance to the stepladder finals to determine the champion of the inaugural Macau China International Open. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will also qualify for the fifth leg of the ABF Tour Macau which will be held on September 6.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.

1st September, Macau: Thailand's most consistent performer, Surasak Manuwong shot the tournament's first perfect game en-route to taking pole position at the inaugural 2009 Macau China International Open underway at Cotai Bowling Center.

Surasak Manuwong, whose best showing this year was finishing first runnerup in the Malaysian International Open in March and has been making several appearances in stepladder finals, almost shot his first 300 in an earlier squad.

The 30-year-old missed by a single pin to end with 299 and giving him a three-game total of 774. The Thai sent for his sixth and subsequent squad to record the tournament first perfect game for a second series of 758.

The two series of 774 and 758 gave him a total of a whopping 1532 to lead the Men's Open Masters overseas and overall table. On this showing, the Thai will enter into the finals as firm favourite.

Newcomer and overnight leader, Park Min Su of Korea settled for second spot on an aggregate total of 1504 from 772 and 732 series. World Games silver medalist, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong did well to finish third with 1476.

Choi Io Fai, Jose Machon, Lok Hei Ieong and Leong Kin Keong are the top four seeded Macau players with totals of 1366, 1394, 1375 and 1324 respectively.

Meanwhile, newcomer Kim Hyun Mi of Korea grabbed top spot in the Women's Open Masters table with a superb aggregate total of 1367 after she posted 764 and 603 series. Asian Youth Games two gold medalist, New Hui Fen of Singapore finished second with 1346.

Korea's Lee Ki Ryung and Park Ju Young occupied third and fourth spots with impressive totals of 1340 and 1327 while ABF Tour Hong Kong leg champion, Chen Dong Dong of China completed the top 5 with 1317.

Yuen Nga Lai and Julia Lam are the two local seeded qualifiers with totals of 1196 and 1170 while Asian Intercity bronze medalist, Chan Weng Sam topped the local pool with 1359.

Qualifying continues through to September 3rd where the top 10 local, top 12 overseas and top 18 from mixed pool in the Men's Open division and the top 6 local, top 10 overseas and top 14 from mixed pool in the Women's Open division will qualify for the finals on September 4 and 5 over two blocks of 8 games each.

The top 4 at the end of the two blocks will advance to the stepladder finals. At the same time, the top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will also qualify for the fifth leg of the ABF Tour Macau which will be held on September 6.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.