3rd July, Hong Kong, China: Nora Lyana Nastasia of Malaysia and Jang Tae Joon of KNSU, Korea stormed into the lead of the Women's Open and Men's Open Masters qualifying standings of the 47th Hong Kong International Open Bowling Championships on Wednesday.

Nastasia, who finished second runner-up at this year's Singapore International Open, shot the highest 6-game total of 1499 (766 and 733) to lead the Women's Open standings and to book her place in the Stage II finals. Putty Armein of Jawa Timur, Indonesia, who was fifth in the Mixed pool overnight, improved her 6-game tally to 1470 for second.

Last week's Macao China Open fourth runner-up, Sharon Limansantoso of Jawa Timur, Indonesia made the to 3 bracket by improving her ninth position to third with 1457. Overnight leader and Macao China Open first runner-up, Kang Hye Rim slipped out into fourth with 1447.

Gigi Leung of Hong Kong, China remained in the lead of the local pool with 1334 followed by Chan Ka Man in second with 1327 and Grace Ip in third with 1314. Kim Chae Yeong of KNSU, Korea headed the Mixed pool with 1308 while the cut in eighth position went to Yeung Yuen Shan of Hong Kong with 1014.

In the Men's Open division, Jang Tae Joon and Kang Jae Hee of KNSU, Korea occupied the top two spots of the overseas pool with 1548 and 1539 respectively. Thai national bowler, Surasak Manuwong took third spot with 1536. Overnight leader, Zoe Dias Ma was relegated to fourth with 1514.

Lau Kwun Ho remained the leader of the local pool with 1566 followed by Keith Mark in second with 1546. Ivan Tse took third spot with 1499. Three Hong Kong national squad members, Wu Siu Hong, Tony Wong and Ivan Tse are seeded and will automatically qualify for Stage I finals.

Hengki Susanto of Jakarta, Indonesia and Ryan Lalisang of Jawa Timur, Indonesia both headed the Mixed pool with identical total of 1474 while the cut in tenth position is occupied by Ho Wing Hang of Hong Kong, China with 1399. With one remaining day for qualifying, which will end late Thursday, July 4, the cut for the Men's Open go up as much as 1450 to 1460.

Meanwhile, Ernest Yuen Ka Ki booked his place in the Men's Open Masters finals after winning the Hong Kong Cup finals with an 8-game total of 1939 earlier. Ex-international, Michael Tsang finished second with 1888 and Shiu Chi Lam third with 1883.