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Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2025

Penang youth captures Open Masters title

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13th September, Kuching: Top-seed, Muhammad Aqil Bin Faizal of MMBC, Penang remained undefeated in the Last Man Standing shootout to capture the Open Masters title of the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2025 after narrowly defeating 2022 champion and British PBA pro, Dominic Barrett, 253-248 in the final.

In the title match between Muhammad Aqil and Barrett, both got off to a cracking start reeling in five consecutive strikes each. The Brit made a prefect shot in his sixth frame but left pin-10 standing, which he duly spared. Muhammad Aqil struck twice in his sixth and seventh frames to take a 19 pin lead.

Although Barrett struck in the seventh frame, he and the Malaysian spared both the eighth and ninth frames. Barrett struck home in the tenth frame to end the match with 248 forcing Muhammad Aqil needing a spare in his final frame.

The packed crowd was left on the edge when he missed the head pin for a six pin count. The 18-year-old kept his composure to spare the frame and then struck in his bonus frame to take victory with 253.

Open Division Masters champion, Muhammad Aqil Bin Faizal of MMBC, Penang

The first match saw 2025 IBF World Cup Team gold medalist and fourth-seed, Ahmad Muaz Bin Fisol of the National Podium squad being eliminated when he managed only 177 against Barrett (267), second-seed, Ryo Fukumitsu of Japan (249) and Muhammad Aqil (247).

In the second match, Fukumitsu crashed out with 213 against Barrett (225) and Muhammad Aqil (245) setting up the finale between Muhammad Aqil and Barrett. The champion pocketed the top prize of RM20,000 with Barrett taking home RM10,000 as first runner-up. Fukumitsu and Ahmad Muaz earned RM5,000 and RM2,500 as second and third runners-up respectively.

In the earlier 8-games finals, Muhammad Aqil amassed a total of 2007 to advance to the Last Man Standing stepladder shootout as top-seed. The Japanese finished second with 1998 and the Brit third with 1971. Ahmad Muaz made the cut in fourth thanks to a final game of 279 on a total of 1949.

Two Sunway Megalanes team members, Ahmad Adil Bin Abdul Halim and Muhammad Zharfan Bin Shahidi missed the cut by 13 and 31 pins respectively after finishing fifth and sixth positions. Four perfect games were recorded in the finals. Barrett rolled two in the third and fifth games.

Muhammad Syazirol Shamsuddin of National Podium squad roll his second 300 in the third game and Rattanapat Chatchaisiri of Thailand in the fourth game. All four shared the RM1,000 perfect game award.

Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Senator Dato' Ahmad Bin Dato' Sri Haji Ibrahim, Member of Parliament along with Yang Berusaha En. Nizam Bin Morshidi, Acting CEO of Sarawak Sports Corporation, YBhg Dato' Mohammed Najeeb Abdullah, President of MTBC, and Yang Berusaha En. Awangku Adi Azwan, representing the Director of Ministry of Youth and Sports Sarawak were on hand to present prizes to the winners.

Open Masters top 4 winners, Dominic Barrett, Muhammad Aqil, Ryu Fukumitsu and Ahmad Muaz

Also assisting in the prize presentations were Mr. Sunny Si Poh Heng, President of ABAS and Deputy President of MTBC, Yang Berusaha Haji Shaifulbahri Shukri, Deputy President of ABAS, Mr. Michael Seymour, CEO of International Bowling Federation and Mr. Robert Lu, Vice President of ABAS.

Before the start of the title match, a special Sarawak Drum routine performed by the Baby Dream Machine entertained the spectators. 145 contestants in the Open Division, 157 in the Classified Division and 170 in the 3DU Division from a total of eleven countries bowled two blocks of 4 games each to qualify for their respective division Masters finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.

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