Koreans stamp their mark

29th May, Singapore: Korean national bowlers stamped their mark at the 45th Singapore International Open with Lee Su-Jeong, Jeon Eun-Hee and Jung Da-Wun taking up the top 3 spots of the Women’s Open Masters qualifying table while Kim Tae-Young topped the Men’s Open division.

Korean national rookie, Lee Su-Jeong in her first international outing, did not disappoint her selectors when she rolled 745 and 669 for a 6-game aggregate of 1414 to take over the lead of the Women’s Open Masters qualifying leaderboard.

Lee also became the first women to surpass the 1,400-mark with her effort. IBC 2012 first-runner-up and world champion, Jeon Eun-Hee and another Korean national rookie, Jung Da-Wun joined Lee to take up the top 3 spots with 1295 and 1274 respectively.

The Korean national team, who rarely feature in international tournament apart from competing in open championships, have made their mark and will be the ones to beat during the finals this Friday.

Overnight leader, Tannya Roumimper of Indonesia slipped down to fourth with 1223 while Filipina, Apple Posadas rounded up the top 5 in the overseas pool with 1210.

Singapore national bowler, New Hui Fen remained in the lead in the local pool and second overall after she registered 1335 pinfalls. Collegiate League 2011 Most Valuable Player award winner and last year’s first runner-up, Jazreel Tan improved to take up second behind Hui Fen with 1315.

Kristel Oh, Amanda Ng and Canon ambassador and 2008 World Cup champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan completed the top 5 local qualifier with 1312, 1307 and 1289 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Koreans also put in a commanding display in the Men’s Open division after Kim Tae-Young surged into the lead with 1356. Guangzhou Asian Games multiple gold medalist, Choi Bok-Eum almost gave the Koreans a one-two finish but was split by Malaysia’s Muhd Nur Aiman.

Aiman totaled 1354 to take up second spot ahead of Choi in third with 1338. Overnight leader and Filipino youngster, Jomar Jumapao shared fourth spot with Hong Hae-Sol of Korea with 1336.

In the local front, Asian Youth Games Masters gold medalist, Basil Low remained firmly in the lead with 1437. Guangzhou Asian Games Doubles silver medalist, Jason Yeong-Nathan improved to take second spot with 1391.

 

Singapore’s youngster, Joel Tan Eng An did well to finish third with 1381 while JUstin Lim Chia Loong and three-time Singapore Open runner-up and reigning national champion, Remy Ong completed the top 5 with 1378 and 1372.

The top 13 local qualifiers, top 13 qualifiers from the overseas pool, top 9 qualifiers from the local and overseas pool together with the defending champion will contest the Men’s Open Masters Stage 1 and Stage 2 finals on June 1 and 2 over two blocks of 6 games.

The top 10 local qualifiers, top 10 qualifiers from the overseas pool, top 9 qualifiers from the local and overseas pool together with the defending champion will also contest the Women’s Open Masters Stage 1 and Stage 2 finals on June 1 and 2 over two blocks of 6 games.

The top 4 men and top 4 women will advance into the Stepladder Shootout finals to determine this year’s champion. The men’s champion will walk away with the top prize of S$20,000 and the women’s champion will earn S$6,000.

 

Photos by Terence Yaw.