Singapore youth takes final squad
15th March, Kuwait: Singapore youth, Muhammad Jaris Goh took the final squad of the first day of qualifying at the 9th Kuwait International Open Bowling Championships with an impressive score of 1245 to finished second overall. Muhammad Jaris Goh, who took his first major title with a victory in the 2011 Singapore Sports School-Opulent International Championships, posted two massive games of 275 and 278 in the third and fifth game to add to his three other games 224, 244 and 224 for the lead.
Newly-crowned Bahrain Open champion and two-time EBT Player of the Year, Osku Palermaa of Finland took second position with 1221 while pace-setter, Dominic Barrett of England settled for third with 1191.
Goh’s team-mate and leader after the third game, Keith Saw slipped to fourth position with 1151 while Qatari youth, Hassan Ibrahim rounded up the top 5 with 1136.
Goh felled short by 5 pins to topple Squad D and overall leader, Ronnie Russell of USA, who topped the first day of qualifying in pole position with 1250. Defending champion, Chris Lochetter of USA was pushed down to third as a result of the Singaporean’s superb performance.
Palermaa finished the day in fourth while Squad A leader, Novie Phang of Indonesia slipped down to fifth overall with 1213. American PBA pro, Sean Rash completed the top 6 with 1196.Squad B leader, Ahmed Abdulla of Kuwait heads the next seven qualifiers in eighth position with 1192 followed by Barrett ninth, Josh Blanchard of USA tenth, Tom Smallwood of USA 11th and Chris Barnes of USA 12th.
Biboy Rivera of Philippines and Mohammed Sultan of Bahrain completed the next top 7 qualifiers. The current cut at 34th position is occupied by Dubai Open Youth Under-23 champion, Jassem Darwish with 88 over or averaging 217.60.
Amanda Ng was Singapore’s best finisher in the earlier Squad D. Ng totaled 1091 for seventh position 32nd overall. Ng Tiac Pin took 10th (44th overall) , Shayna Ng and Remy Ong 13th and 14th (57th and 59th overall).
Javier Tan and Jazreel Tan finished 10th (46th overall) in the last squad, Jazreel Tan (11th (47th overall) and Ng Chiew Pang 15th (81st overall) of a total of 112 in the field.
The second block of 5 games will be bowled tomorrow and the third anf final block on March 17 before the finals on March 18 and 19.
Detailed scores: Block 1 Combined | Block 1 Squad C | Block 1 Squad D | Photo Album.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuwait.