21st July, Bangkok: Malaysian national bowlers ruled the opening block of qualifying rounds at the 49th MWA-Thailand International Open Bowling Championships underway at Blu-O Rythmn & Bowl, Ratchayothin with Rafiq Ismail and Gillian Lim topping the Men's and Women's Open division.

Defending champion, Rafiq Ismail topped the opening squad of the first block with a five-game total of 1196 to lead compatriot, Aiman Syahin Sulaiman in second with 1182 and Danial Abu Samah in third with 1148. Jolo Ramirez of the Philippines led the Squad B with 1139 and took eighth in the overall standings.

Thai nationals ruled Squad D after Chanasorn Wutti led with 1153 followed by Supakrit Wantasuk and Annop Arromsaranon in second and third with 1132 and 1127 respectively.

Tony Wong of Hong Kong, China rolled a perfect game en-route to winning Squad D that followed with 1145 and he headed the Mixed pool in seventh position with 1145. Two Singaporeans, Jomond Chia and Darren Ong finished second and third with 1130 and 1120.

Meanwhile, 2024 Malaysian Open champion, Gillian Lim of Malaysia led Squad A with 1131 followed by compatriots, Faten Najihah and Nora Lynana Nastasia sharing second spot with 1085. Ex-international, Radin Nur Najwa of Malaysia topped Squad B with 988 but did not make the cut in 29th position.

Phattaranan Pingchittapraphai of Thailand won Squad D with 1021 followed by two Malaysians Nur Irdina Batrisyia and Nada Nawwarah in second and third with 1006 and 1001. The duo barely made the cut in 19th and 20th positions overall. Chawakorn Wutti and Ramita Sarntong occupied second and third in the local pool.

Singapore women dominated Squad C with Cherie Tan leading with 1093 followed by her team-mates, Shayna Ng and Nur Irdina in second and third with 1082 and 1054. Tan will join Lim and Faten as the top 3 seeded overseas qualifiers.

The top 3 highest local and top 3 highest overseas qualifiers will skip Round 2 finals and automatically advance to Round 3. Qualifiers positioned 7 to 20 (14) plus the top 6 from the Desperado squad will contest Round 2 finals on July 24.