Battle for the lead continues

14th March, K.Lumpur: The battle for the lead in the Men's and Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table of the 30th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship continued as Zaid Izlan and Shalin Zulkifli took over the lead on Wednesday afternoon.
Zaid Izlan, who lost to Alex Liew in last year's Malaysian Open, took to the lanes this afternoon for his first attempt and impressed with a 4-game total of 994. The 19-year-old Bukit Jalil Sports School and member of the National Backup squad posted lines 278, 215, 276 and 225 to grab the lead of the Men's Open Masters table.

Newly-promoted into the National Elite squad, Mohd Noer Said was in great form after returning from the 1st Asian University Championship in Manila to take up second spot with 988. Reigning National Champion, Adrian Ang improved on his 876 score yesterday to finish third with 960.

National Backup squad member, Syafiq Ridhwan also moved up from 11th to fourth with 944 ahead of overnight leader, Daniel Lim, dropping to fifth with 937. Zulmazran Zulkifli and Isaac Russell finished sixth and seventh positions with 929 and 919 respectively.

  
Shalin Zulkifli, four-time national champion and winner of the Malaysian Open in 1996 and 2004, staked her claim and hope of capturing the title for the third time with a superb 960 to take over the lead from overnight leader and Olympian of the Year, Esther Cheah.

Shalin chalked up lines of 256, 247, 247 and 210 in her first attempt this afternoon. Esther, who stole the limelight by becoming the first-ever female athlete to win two gold and three silver medals in a single Asian Games, settled for second with 953.

Newly-promoted into the National Elite after a fine performances in the World Youth Championship and the Doha Asian Games, Sharon Koh dropped one rung to third with 941. 2005 Malaysian Open Champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah improved from 902 overnight to 937 but remained in fourth.

  
Qualifying continues through to the 22nd March and the scores would be much higher as the majority of the overseas bowlers will arrive this weekend. The Masters finals will be held on the 23rd and 24th March.
Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.