25th November, Kuching: 2022 Sukma Games team bronze medallist and teenager, Wan Muhammad Zarif Ikram of Terengganu won the Classified Masters title at the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2022 with Chang Hsiang Yu of Chinese Taipei in second and Alisha Iman of Kuala Kumpur third.

Muhammad Aliff Irfan got off to a cracking start reeling in a stunning 264 to lead the pack followed by Andrea Tan Tze Shuen in second with 260. But Muhammad Aliff's lead lasted one one game after a poor 188 in his second game.

Alisha Iman, who shot 250 in her opening game, added 219 in the second game to take over the running. The Taiwanese, who rolled 255 in his first game and 210 in his second, moved into second, just four pins adrift. Tsen Fan Yew of Sarawak and Andrea Tan stayed close in fourth and fifth positions.

Chang moved into the lead after another superb 255 in the third game as Alisha slipped down to second on a 191 third game. But the Malaysian ex-national youth bounced back with a brilliant 274 in the fourth game to lead the Taiwanese two-hander by 6 pins.

Meanwhile, Wan Muhammad Zarif who shot 198, 220, 274, 209, 239, 235 in his first six games, added an sizzling 263 in the seventh game to move ahead of the leading duo. The 15-year-old ended strong with 221 in the eight game to stay in the lead for the final position round game.

Chang faced Wan Muhammad Zarif in the position round game after finishing second while Alisha Iman met Tsen after finishing third and fourth respectively. Despite Wan Muhammad Zarif losing to Chang, 217-226, his 30 pin cushion was enough for him to seal victory with 2066 to win the top prize of RM12,000.

Chang settled for second with 2045 and took home RM6,000. Alisha Iman remained in third with 2010 despite tieing the position round game with Tsen on 221 to pick up RM3,000. Malaysians, Tsen and Muhammad Aniq Zulhilmi completed the top five with 1970 and 1964 respecitively.

The Youth 25 & Under Masters finals over eight games will be contested after lane maintenance. The top three finishers with the highest pinfalls will proceed to the Stepladder shootout finals to determine the winners.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.