13th April, Bangkok: Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei celebrated narrow victories in the 34th MWA Thailand International Open with Chan Shuk Han clinching her second Ladies' title this year while Taiwanese youngster, Cheng Hsing-Chao claimed his maiden title in the Men's division.

Chan Shuk Han, who surprised a strong field in January when she captured the ABF Tour Grand Finals ladies' crown in Jakarta, bagged her second title this year by just a single pin after she was forced into the sudden-death decider, 207-206.

An open frame in the first match forced the topseed to the decider when she lost, 182-209 to defendng champion and challenger, Chen Hsiu Lan of Chinese Taipei. But the 33-year-old made sure she made no mistake in the second to clinch the crown.

"I was unlucky to have an open frame in the first match and in the second crucial game, I made sure I made no mistake," said the delighted champion Chan. "My form has been superb of late and I hope to carry this forward to Kuwait Open end of this month.

The runnerup and second-seed dispatched two Chinese women, Yang Suling and Zhang Yu Hong, 199-181-194 in the second match to face Chan but found her a handful to handle. Zhang had earlier knocked out fellow-countrywomen, Wu Suqin and Korea's Kim Eun Jung, 222-213-192 in the first match.

In the men's division, topseed Somjed Kusonpithak was unlucky to come away empty handed after a superb run in the second block finals this morning. The 21-year-old youngster lost the first match to challenger, Cheng Hsing-Chao of Chinese Taipei, 196-215.

Despite starting off with a double strike in the decider, an open frame in the third and a split in the final frame costed the Thai the crown. Cheng beat Somjed, 207-184 in the second match to clinch his first-ever open title.

The 19-year-old physical science student from Taipei had earlier disposed off second-seed, Kim Ko Woon of Korea and third-seed, Pan Yunhong of China, 201-192-168 to set up the match with the topseed.

Cheng was equally impressive in the first match when he ousted fourth-seed, Hsiao Chun-Ho and sixth-seed, Yang Nien-Hua in an all-Taiwanese first match, 241-182-235 to move up the ladder.

The top 16 men and top 16 women made the cut for the first leg of ABF Tour which will be contest tomorrow (APril 14) at the same venue, S.F. Strike Bowl. The tour will be telecast LIVE over True Vision. LIVE scores wil be featured at www.abftour.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

12th April, Bangkok: Thai men shone in the Men's Open Masters first block finals of the 34th MWA Thailand International Open as Somjed Kusonpithak and Annaop Arromsaranon finished 1-2 while Hong Kong's Chan Shuk Han topped the ladies' division.

Korea's Kim Ko Woon set a blistering pace with a 256 opening game of the 8-game Men's Open Masters finals but the lead was immediately taken over by China's Yang Wei who shot 215, 247, 206 and 224 to lead for the first half.

Thailand's Surasak Manuwong stromed into the lead after the fifth game with teammate, Annop Arromsaranon in close company just 15 pins adrift in second. Surasak's lead was short-lived as Thailand's Somjed Kusonpithak picked up the lead after the sixth game.

The 21-year-old champion of last year's ABF Tour Thailand leg went on to end the block in pole position with a total of 1765. Annop settled for second, 29 pins adrift on 1736 to give Thailand a 1-2 finish. Chinese Taipei's

Hsiao Chun-Ho and Yang Nien-Hua took up third and fourth spots with 1728 and 1719 as Surasak dropped to fifth position with 1707.

The race for top spot in the Ladie's Open Masters first block was a more evenly fought contest as the lead changed hands eight times. Malaysia's Shalin Zulkifli set the early pace but handed the lead to SEA Games Masters gold medalist, Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia after the second game.

Malaysian Open runnerup, Zandra Aziela of Malaysia took over the lead at the halfway mark but was taken over by teammate, Christyn Chew in the fifth game. Zhang Yu Hong's lead also lasted just one game as ABF Tour TOC champion, Chan Shuk Han ended the block in the lead with 1643.

Current Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung stormed hoem to take up second with 1618 while Zandra finished third with 1595. Zhang Yu Hong and Christyn Chew rounded up the top 5 with 1592 and 1583 respectively.

Both the divisions will bowl another 8 games in the second block with pinfalls carried forward. The top 6 at the end of the second blck will advance to the stepladder finals. The top 16 Asian men and women will also make the cut for Monday's ABF Tour Thailand leg.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

11th April, Bangkok: Aaron Kong of Malaysia made his mark to become the first bowler to achieve the magical 300 perfect game of the 34th MWA Thailand International Open at S.F. Strike Bowl and secured a spot in the Men's Open Masters finals on Thursday evening.

Inspired by a motivational session conducted by National chief coach, Holloway Cheah last night, Aaron Kong tuned his rhythm in sync to start off on 209, 216 and stylishly fired all cylinders to clinically reeled strike after strike for the holistic 300 game.

The lanky Malaysian ended on a high series of 725, resulting on a combined aggregate of 1960 and secured his place in the Men's Open Masters overseas qualifying pool in 11th position. Teammate, Adrian Ang, who improved with 2037 to inch closer to overall leader, Andrew Frawley of Australia.

Flying in from nowhere was Zaid Izlan of Malaysia, whose series of 2003 earned him fifth spot while newly-crowned Malaysian Open champion,

Zulmazran Zulkifli struggled and could only managed tenth in the Mixed pool with 1900 series.

Meanwhile Malaysia's strongest title contender, Shalin Zulkifli took over the lead the in the Ladies' division improving her score line to 1939 series, pushing China's Wu Suqin and Yang Suling into second and third placing.

China's Chan Dong Dong and Hong Kong's Chan Shuk Han rounded up the top 5 with 1859 and 1856 while Zandra Aziela of Malaysia, made some headway to top the Mixed pool with 1749. There was no changes in the local pool with Gunnalada Aree of Thailand leading with 1872.

In the Youth Open division, burly Rodson Tong rejuvenated his performance with 1950 series and claimed the top spot ahead of Korea's Uh Sung Moon in second with 1937 and Syimir Abdul Razak of Malaysia in third with a 1900 series.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

10th April, Bangkok: Malaysian bowlers made good impressions after completing their three qualifying attempts in the on-going 34th MWA Thailand International Open as Adrian Ang chalked up 2029 to finish second in the Men's Open Masters qualifying table.

After the completing the new format of 3 qualifying attempts, Malaysia's red hot youngster, Adrian Ang took control of the lanes at S.F. Strike Bowl by reeling 200, 227 and 225 for a 652 series. The two-time national champion then accelerated his momentum to knock down 222, 236 and 278 for a 736 series in back-to-back squads.

Combined with last night's 641 first attempt, Adrian amassed an aggregate of 2029 to take up second spot in the overseas pool behind leader, Andrew Frawley of Australia, who totaled 2068.

2007 ABF Tour Saudi leg champion, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE dropped to third with 2021 while early leader, Fuaad Al-Mas of UAE finish fourth with 2015. Rangsiman Thianhirun continued to top the local pool with 1996

followed by Surasak Manuwong and Somjed Kusonpithak in second and third positions.

Meanwhile, globe-trotting Australian, Andrew Frawley surged into the lead of the men's open division with a better third squad of 631 to give the Aussie a total of 2068. UAE's Hussain Al-Suwaidi also improved to take up second with 2021.

Overnight leader, Fuaad Al-Mas settled for third spot with 2015. Chinese Taipei's Hsiao Chun-Ho and UAE's SHaker Al-Hassan rounded up the top 5 with 1963 and 1936 respective totals.

The top 3 positions in the lmen's open local pool remained unchanged with Rangsiman Thianhirun, Surasak Manuwong and Somjed Kusonpithak occupying first to third positions with 1996, 1985 and 1974.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

9th April, Bangkok: 2005 World Championship Masters gold medalist, Yang Suling led China's domination in the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table of the 34th MWA Thailand International Open by taking the top 4 positions.

China's Yang Suling, who stunned the world with a victory in the World Championship in Alborg, Denmark three years ago, did not have a chance to prove that her win was not a one-off triumph as China did not send a team to the championship.

The Chinese knocked down 658 in her first attempt and followed it up with 650 and 617 for a 9-game total of 1925 to take the lead in the overseas pool and overall Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table. Her teammate, Wu Suqin finished second with 1898 followed by overnight leader, Chan Dongdong third with 1859.

Zhang Yu Hong completed the top 4 positions for China taking up fourth spot with 1741. Thailand's Gunnalada Aree continued to top the local pool

with 1872 and third overall. Sariya Chongvarin and Kamalasn Jonbumrung took second and third spots with 1867 and 1837 respectively.

Meanwhile, globe-trotting Australian, Andrew Frawley surged into the lead of the men's open division with a better third squad of 631 to give the Aussie a total of 2068. UAE's Hussain Al-Suwaidi also improved to take up second with 2021.

Overnight leader, Fuaad Al-Mas settled for third spot with 2015. Chinese Taipei's Hsiao Chun-Ho and UAE's SHaker Al-Hassan rounded up the top 5 with 1963 and 1936 respective totals.

The top 3 positions in the lmen's open local pool remained unchanged with Rangsiman Thianhirun, Surasak Manuwong and Somjed Kusonpithak occupying first to third positions with 1996, 1985 and 1974.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

8th April, Bangkok: UAE's Fuaad Al-Mas topped the Men's Open Masters qualifying table of the 34th MWA Thailand International Open underway at S.F. Strike Bowl Ngamwongwan while local seasoned campaigner, Gunnalada Aree of Thailand led the Ladies' Open standings.

In the new format of qualifying round introduced at this year's championship which comprised of best 3 qualifying rounds of 3 games each, UAE's Fuaad Al-Mas posted consistent 675, 674 and 666 for a 9-game total of 2015 to lead the Men's Open Masters qualifying table.

PBA Denny's World Championship semifinalist and the Canon Cup 2008 runner-up, Andrew Frawley of Australia could have taken the lead if not for a poor 554 third attempt. The Aussie had scorched the lanes with an opening 747 and a 690 in his second attempt to total 1991 to take up second spot.

UAE' Hussain Al-Suwaidi finished third with 1953 from 3 attempts of 676, 644 and 633. Meanwhile, newcomer, Rangsiman Thianhirun topped the

local pool with 1996 and second overall with Surasak Manuwong second with 1985 and last year's ABF Tour Thailand leg champion, Somjed Kusonpithak third with 1974.

Whilst the overseas participants will arrive in the next two days, seasoned campaigner, Gunnalada Aree has taken top spot in the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table with 1872. Gunnalada knocked down her best 3 attempts of 663, 605 and 604.

Sariya Chongvarin and Kamalasn Jonbumrung finished second and third positions in the table with 1867 and 1837 respectively. Only two ladies have completed at least 3 attempts in the overseas pool with the lead going to Sabeena Athica of India with 1693 and Rachell Lapig in second with 1570.

Qualifying continues through to Friday, April 11 and the Masters finals will be held over two days on April 12 and 13. The top 16 Asian men and top 16

Asian ladies will also qualify for the ABF Tour Thailand leg which will be held on April 14.

Photos courtesy of Thai Tenpin Bowling Association.