National bowler bounches back

22nd March, K.Lumpur: National bowler and SEA Games Gold medalist, Ben Heng bounced back with a 275 in his Masters qualifying round of the 29th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship to win the high game award of a Canon PowerShot A410 digital camera.

After just missing the award in his first attempt on Tuesday by just 1 pin on a score of 278, the 32-year-old southpaw fought back to chalk up the highest game of the day in his subsequent masters qualifying attempt with a 275 to win the Canon camera.

"Although I didn't improve my score of 924 with this ateempt, I'm still glad to have won the camera," said Heng after knowing that there was no other bowler bettering his score. Reigning National Champion and Asian Youth Team All Events Gold medalist, Adrian Ang and teammate, Mohd Noer Said shared the lead with 949. Early leader and National rookie, Eric Ang of Penang dropped to third on a score of 941 followed by Asian Ranked No. 1, Alex Liew in fourth spot on 928. Winner of the second Canon camera, Ben Heng ended up in fifth. Last year's first runner-up, Mustafa Yassin took sixth position with a lowly 885.

In the ladies' division, 2005 ABF Tour TOC champion and current Asian Ranked No. 1, Wendy Chai stormed into the lead with a score of 855, relegating ex-national and four-time National champion, Shalin Zulkifli into second on 832 despite improving from 806 earlier.

Asian Youth Team and SEA Games Team Gold medalist, Zandra Aziela also improved from her 772 earlier to 820 but lies in third spot. World Championship Singles Gold medalist, Esther Cheah struggled and could only post 817 for fourth position.   Early leader and National rookie, Eric Ang of Penang dropped to third on a score of 941 followed by Asian Ranked No. 1, Alex Liew in fourth spot on 928. Winner of the second Canon camera, Ben Heng ended up in fifth. Last year's first runner-up, Mustafa Yassin took sixth position with a lowly 885.

In the ladies' division, 2005 ABF Tour TOC champion and current Asian Ranked No. 1, Wendy Chai stormed into the lead with a score of 855, relegating ex-national and four-time National champion, Shalin Zulkifli into second on 832 despite improving from 806 earlier.

Asian Youth Team and SEA Games Team Gold medalist, Zandra Aziela also improved from her 772 earlier to 820 but lies in third spot. World Championship Singles Gold medalist, Esther Cheah struggled and could only post 817 for fourth position.   Mohd Helmi Zailan of Selangor, who won the first Canon digital camera with 279 yesterday maintained his pole position on 918 with his SUKMA teammate, Jonathan Lim Chee Weng grabbing second spot on 831. National youth and Junor Circuit first leg champion, Rodson Tong from Pahang improved to third with 823.

Qualifying continues through to 30th March and the Masters finals wil be held on the 31st March and 1st April. The top 16 Asian men and ladies will make the cut for the ABF Tour - Canon Malaysia leg to be held on the 2nd April.

  Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.