9th September, Kuching: 2025 Kuala Lumpur International Open champion and Squad A leader, Izz Naqiuddin Putera led Malaysia's domination in the qualifying rounds by occupying the top four spots of the Open Division standings after the second block of the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2026 ended.

Izz Naqiuddin Putera, who topped both blocks in Squad A, amassed an 8-game total of 2055 with 1011 in the first block and 1044 in the second block to take up pole position. Muhammad Qaish Rayyan of ABAS/Sarawak finished second with 1970, 85 pins adrift.

Squad C leader, Abdul Azizul Dazmeen of WBM/Wilayah Persekutuan settled for third spot with 1953. 2025 SEA Games Team gold medalist, Nur Hazirah Binti Ramli was the top female qualifier occupying fourth position with 1922.

Thailand's Phanupong Permpimol, who finished second in Squad C, rounded out the top five with 1917. Malaysian National Backup squad member, Airel Amri Bin Suhaimi made the cut for the finals in 60th position with 1781. Malaysian National Pelapis squad, Intan Nor Edryana missed the cut by a single pin after finishing 61st position with 1780.

Izz Naqiuddin Putera and Muhammad Qaish Rayyan occupied the top two spots of the 3DU Division followed Muahammad Hafiz Zainuddin of Malaysian National Podium squad in third. Randall Koo Ming Chong of Singapore and Ambrose Hon Nga Pok tie 59th and 60th positions to make the cut with 1706.

Muhammad Qaish Rayyan led the U21 Division to earn a bye in the Top 60 Elimination Knockout Round and automatically advance to the Top 32 Round. Joining him were Saiful Iman Shah, Muhammad Danial Abu Samah and Adelia Nur Binti Irwan in second to fourth.

The pole sitter in U21 Division, Muhammad Qaish Rayyan also topped the Challenger Crown Division and will also earn a bye in the Top 60 Elimination Knockout Round. Squad B leader, Melvin Gilbert Gimang Anak Tingau of ABAS/Sarawak in second, Saiful Iman Shah in third and Phanupong Permpimol in fourth.

The first Masters finals, the 3DU Division will be contested at 10.00am tomorrow. The Challenge Crown Knockout Elimination Round will kick off at 3.00pm. The U21 Elimination Knockout Round and the Classified Finals will be held on Friday, September 11.