13th June, Kuching: Emmanuel Fo Yung Khee of Sabah ended the qualifying rounds of the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2024 to become the new Open Division overall leader while Muhammad Hazim Bin Ali Hanafiah slipped to second and Dominic Barrett in third.

Fo, who topped Squad D in the first block with 981, added a second block of 973 to take over top spot with 1954. The Sabahan started off with 221 and followed it up with 218 and 230 before reeling in 11 consecutive strikes and was going for the fourth perfect game of the tournament.

But a stubborn pin 10 stood in the way and Fo ended with 299 and 304 including a 5 pin handicap competing in the Open division. Ex-international Phumin Klanbida of Thailand finished second to Fo in this squad with 1892 and Wynsten Wang of Singapore, settled for third with 1863.

Fo's stellar display earned him top spot in the Open division overall qualifying standings. Overnight leader and second perfect gamer, Muhammad Hazim Bin Ali Hanafiah slipped down to second with 1950. 9-time PBA Tour winner and 2022 Sarawak Open champion, Dominic Barrett of England improved to third with 1923.

The cut in 60th position for the Open division went to newly-crowned 2024 Kuala Lumpur International Open champion, Musayyar Bin Khalid of Sunway Megalanes with 1689, averaging 211.12. Muhammad Isyraq Iqbal of Malaysia missed the cut by three pins in 61st position.

Emmanuel Fo also topped the Classified Division standings followed by Muhammad Hazim Bin Ali Hanafiah in second and Nyak Arif Hakimi in third. The cut in 60th position went to George Reyes III of Singapore with 1637. Harris Hum Yu Cheng of Malaysia missed the cut by two pins.

Emmanuel Fo also topped the Youth 25 and Under division ahead of Nyak Arif Hakimi in second and Negeri Sembilan's Nada Nawwarah Binti Abdul Jalil with 1884. Nada also was the best finisher in the Classified division in fifth and eighth in the Open division.

There is a tie in 60th position for the U25 division between Sarah Grace Wong of Singapore and Liang Jen Hao of Chinese Taipei with 1646. Both will try to improve their position and make the cut securely with a Joker squad score, If neither improves, the tie will be decided in a one-ball roll-off before the finals.