11th September, Kuching: 2025 Malaysian National Women champion, Lavina Kho Jia Jie added another title to her collection after defeating Sean Nguyen Phuc Gia Dang of Vietnam, 220-205 to bag the U21 Masters crown of the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2026.

Nguyen got off to a stumbling start after failing to make a three-pin spare in his opening game as Kho struck in her first frame. Despite recovering with a strike in the second frame, the Vietnamese could not string together more strikes to try and reduce the deficit.

Kho, a home-grown bowler from Kuching who also won the 2023 Malaysian International Open Women title, rolled three strikes-in-a-row after sparing her second frame. Nguyen did find a double in the fifth and sixth frames to reduce the gap slightly.

The Sarawakian struck twice in the tenth frame to shut out her opponent and went on to claim victory, 220-205. Kho had earlier edged 2026 World Youth Mixed Team champion, Muhammad Aiman Syahin of the Malaysian National Pelapis squad, 253-224 in the second semi-final match.

Nguyen narrowly defeated Sarawak youth, Gerald Ethan Anak Tony in a high-scoring, 288-277 first semi-final match to advance to the title match. Nguyen also defeated Nurul Anis Nabila of Malaysian National Pelapis member, 274-225 in the quarter-finals.

Kho ousted third perfect-gamer, Muhammad Isyraq Iqbal, 229-199 in her quarter-final match to move nearer to a challenge for the coveted title. Kho survived the Top 16 round with a 194-172 victory over Jereniq Ho Shu Jin of Sunway Megalanes.

Nguyen eliminated Adelia Nur Bte Irwan of Malaysia, 253-212 in his Top 16 round tie. Both Kho and Nguyem sailed past their opponents, 244-186 and 226-222 in the Top 32 round respectively. The champion picked up RM8,000 top prize while Nguyen took home RM4,000 as first runner-up.

Muhammad Aiman Syahin and Gerald Ethan Anak Tony earned RM1,500 each as joint second runners-up. The Classified Masters finals will be contested later at 3.00pm local time while the Open Masters finals will be held tomorrow, September 12.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.