8th November, Doha: 2022 champion and top-seed, Tomas Kayhko of Finland captured the H.H. Amir Cup 2025 for the second time after defeating challenger, Valentin Saulnier of France 238-225 in the Step 5 finals on Saturday.

Both title contenders started off the championship Step 5 finals with a nine-spare and a double in the first three frames. But Kayhko downed two more strikes in the fourth and fifth frames while Saulnier could only picked up two spares.

But the French fought back with a double in the sixth and seventh frames to reduce the gap the Finn had picked up. Saulnier could not string additional strikes and when Kayhko struck twice in the ninth and tenth frame, the Finn had sealed victory for a second time.

In Step 4 finals between Saulnier and winner of Step 3 Final, Pontus Andersson, the Swede had taken a lead with seven strikes-in-a-row. But the French fought on gallantly by matching seven consecutive strikes from frame 3 and pulled ahead when Andersson stumbled to a big six-split in the eighth frame.

Saulnier went to to win the match and advance to face Kayhko in Step 5 final. Andersson advanced to Step 4 after dispatching third-seed Anton Persson and fifth-seed, Robin Noberg in an all-Swede match, 268-223-246 earlier.

Kayhko pocketed the top prize of US$25,000 as champion. Saulnier took home US$16,000 as first runner-upand Andersson earned US$12,000 as second runner-up. Noberg settled for US$8,000 and Persson US$6,000 in foruth and fifth position respectively.

A total of 165 participants from 24 countries bowled were required to bowl three 3-games series to make the finals. Mr Abdullah Al-Qattan, President of Qatar Bowling Federation was on hand to present the prizes and trophies to the winners, assisted by Mr Saeed Al-Hajri, Ahmed Shaheen and Mr Bandar Al-Shafi.