8th June, Hong Kong: Bandar Al-Shafi of Qatar celebrated a grand double by winning the Men's title of the ABF Tour Hong Kong Leg at Hong Kong Bowling City in Kowloon Bay as China's Chen Dongdong clinched her maiden victory in the women's division.

Topseed, Bandar Al-Shafi set a blistering pace in the title match against challenger, Oh Young Ki of Korea with four strikes-in-a-row to take a 21 pins lead at the halfway mark. The Qatari stretched his lead to 32 pins as the Korean began to mount his challenge.

Despite an opened frame in the ninth by Bandar, his opponent, Oh just could not string enough strikes to topple the left-handed Qatari. Bandar clinched his double victory over Oh, 235-226 and became the second Arab to back-to-back titles.

"It's a good feeling to win two back-to-back titles," said the delighted Bandar. "Bowling well here is important when we come back here for the Asian Championships in July and I hope I can repeat the form here.

UAE' Shaker Al-Hassan, who achieved the same back-to-back titles after capturing the Saudi Open and the ABF Tour Saudi leg, went down to the runnerup, Oh Young Ki, 205-213 in the second semi-final while the champion took out Filipino, Biboy Rivera, 258-225 in the first semi.

Bandar also eliminated two fellow compatriots, Saeed Al-Hajri, 235-215 and Mubarak Al-Muraikhi, 205-140 in the earlier two rounds. Oh also knocked out team-mate, Lee Young Jun, 195-161 in Round 1 and China's Liu Yun Wei, 233-202 to reach the semi.

Meanwhile, China's Chen Dongdong claimed her first-ever tour title shen she ousted Hong Kong's Vanessa Fung, 245-214 in the women's title match. Chen's four strikes-in-a-row from frame 3 and another turkey from frame 9 sealed the victory for the 19-year-old lass.

Chen edged Hong Kong's strong title contender and current Asian Ranked No. 1, Chan Shuk Han, 196-185 in the first semi-final to set up the match with Vanessa. Malaysia's Tang Joh Six was ousted by Vanessa, 186-155 in the other semi.

"This is my second tour and I'm so happy to win the title," said the pettie Chen Dongdong through an interpreter. "I've won medals in the Asian Youth championship but not an open tournament. I hope when I return here in July, I can win more glory for my country.

The Chinese also edged Hong Kong's Cookie Lee, 195-192 in Round 1 before defeating Thailand's Vilailux Sanguansat, 207-171 in round 2 to reach the semi. Vanessa took out two Chinese, Cheng Lihua and Zhang Yuhong in the earlier two rounds to reach her semi.

The ABF Tour Hong Kong leg will be telecast over local cable channel, Now TV Sports at a later date. Highlights of the leg will also be televised later on local television stations of the eight countries where the tour is being held.

For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw.