21st June, Petaling Jaya: 2025 Asian Ranked No. 1, Rafiq Ismail of Malaysian Podium squad bagged his third straight title in a row after emerging victorious in the Mixed Open Masters finals of the Kuala Lumpur International Open Bowling Championships 2026 while Nur Syazwani Sahar of Malaysia defending the Women's crown.

Kim Ko Woon of DSD/Korea got off to the cracking start rolling a perfect game in his opener. Megat Zaqrul Haiqal of FND Empire/UPM did well with 279 to trail the Korean. 2026 Singapore Open second runner-up, Ahmad Muaz of Malaysian Podium squad took third spot with 268.

Muaz rolled back-to-back 268 in his second game to move into the lead. Megat Zaqrul responded with a respectable 248 to stay in second while Kim managed only 213 to slip down. Megat Zaqrul fired a superb 258 to take over the running after the third game.

Rafiq Ismail, who started off with 228 then fired 287 and 248 to trail Megat Zaqrul by 22 pins. Muaz shared third spot with Azriq Izam of Nabira By Wan-Ra/Malaysia. Megat Zaqrul added 267 and 259 to extend his lead to 72 pins. Rafiq responded with 217 and 290 but still trail in second.

Tun Hakim of Malaysian Podium squad, who ended with 276, 246 and 258, snatched second position with 1918. Megat Zaqrul settled for third position with 1915. Malaysian Open first runner-up, Chong Jun Foo of Hero Bowling finished fourth with 1895 followed another two Malaysian Podium squad members, Muhammad Syazirol Shamsuddin and Hafiz Zainuddin sharing fifth spot with 1894.

Nur Syazwani Sahar, who finished ninth overall with 1864, successfully defended the Women's title she took last year. Top Women qualifier, Siti Safiyah Amirah and Faten Najihah Ahmad Faik, both members of the Malaysian Podium squad finished second and third with 1831 and 1809 respectively.

Rafiq picked up the top prize of RM30,000 as champion while Tun Hakim and Megat Zaqrul earned RM15,000 and RM10,000 as first and second runners-up. Nur Syazwani pocketed RM8,000 as the Women's champion and Siti Safiyah and Faten Najihah settled for RM4,000 and RM2,000.

Mr Kerwin Lim, Head of Sports Marketing, Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad was on hand to present the prizes to the winners alongside YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Mohammad Noor, President of KLTBA.