Four-time National Champion stakes claim

23rd March, K.Lumpur: Four-time Malaysian National champion and ex-national, Shalin Zulkifli of Selangor, staked her claim on the women's title of the 29th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship after posting 890 to take up second to teammate, Siti Khadijah Osman. The former national bowler, who quit the national team after just last month, improved on her earlier 4-game qualifying score of 832 to 890 to take up second position in the leaderboard. Shalin, who will turn 28 next Tuesday, will also stand a chance to win the Canon PowerShot A410 digital camera as daily high game award when she posted a 279 in her final game. Her first three games were 211, 198 and 202.

"I was struggling a bit yesterday but since changing my ball to the Storm Banshee and adjusted my release, I was able to get better carry," said Shalin. "It's been quite a while since getting into the winning circles so I'm working hard on my game to get everything right for the finals.

Meanwhile, Siti Khadijah Osman, who was runner-up to Shalin in 2004, took over the lead with a superb 928 bowled late Wednesday evening with lines of 242, 236, 233 and 217. "I just put more concentration on my game and it paid off," said the 22-year-old university student. "I'm determined to do well so that I get a chance to go for this year's Thailand Open next month.   The former national bowler, who quit the national team after just last month, improved on her earlier 4-game qualifying score of 832 to 890 to take up second position in the leaderboard. Shalin, who will turn 28 next Tuesday, will also stand a chance to win the Canon PowerShot A410 digital camera as daily high game award when she posted a 279 in her final game. Her first three games were 211, 198 and 202.

"I was struggling a bit yesterday but since changing my ball to the Storm Banshee and adjusted my release, I was able to get better carry," said Shalin. "It's been quite a while since getting into the winning circles so I'm working hard on my game to get everything right for the finals.

Meanwhile, Siti Khadijah Osman, who was runner-up to Shalin in 2004, took over the lead with a superb 928 bowled late Wednesday evening with lines of 242, 236, 233 and 217. "I just put more concentration on my game and it paid off," said the 22-year-old university student. "I'm determined to do well so that I get a chance to go for this year's Thailand Open next month.

SEA Games and Asian Youth Gold medalist, Esther Cheah improved over her 817 score to take up third with 866 pushing down teammate and Asian Ranked No. 1, Wendy Chai into fourth position on 855.

In the men's division, National bowler, Zaid Izlan impressed with with a 4-game score of 975 to take over the lead from joint overnight leader, Adrian Ang and Mohd Noer Said on their score of 949. National rookie and early leader, Eric Ang dropped to fourth together with Asian Ranked No. 1, Alex Liew in fifth on 941 and 928 respectively.

SEA Games Gold medalist, Ben Heng, who shot a 275 to win the second Canon digital camera, ended up in sixth position on 924. Last year's ABF Tour Malaysia leg champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli and newly-crowned ABF Tour TOC champion, Daniel Lim only made one attempt to finish ninth and tenth position and will surely improve in their subsequent attempts.   Qualifying ends 30th March and the finals will be held on the 31st March and 1st April. The top 16 Asian men and women will make the cut for the ABF Tour - Canon Malaysia leg on the 2nd April.

  Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.