Singapore girl surges into pole
8th May, Bangkok: Singapore national bowler, Sabrina Lim surged into the lead of the Women's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard of the 33rd MWA Thailand International Open while Surasak Manuwong of Thailand topped the men's division.
Lim scorched the lanes at S.F. Strike Bowl in Ngam Wong Wan in the outskirts of Bangkok city to take the overall lead with 2005 ABF Tour TOC champion, Jennifer Tan fourth in the overseas pool and fifth overall.
The leader posted an impressive 939 in her 4-game qualifying round with Tan posting 858 in the very difficult lane conditions at the centre on Tuesday evening. The duo was joined by Shayna Ng Lin Zhi third in the mixed pool on 762 pinfalls while Cherie Tan Shi Hua ony managed 753.
Leading the local pool was World Youth gold medalist, Angkana Netrviseth of Thaiand, who knocked down 890 and second overall ahead of fellow countrywomen, Petchara Kaewsuk in second with 841. Third spot in the local pool went to Wasana Sakulrat with 828.
Meanwhile, Singapore's best performer so far was Justin Teng finshing in 13th in the overseas pool with 854. Other Singapore national team members all in the mixed pool were Lionel Lim in third with 826 and Shaun Ng in 10th with 801.
Topping the men's local pool was last year's second runner-up, Surasak Manuwong of Thailand with a score of 925 ahead of fellow compatriots, Annop Arromsaranom and Somjed Kusonpithak of Storm Thailand joint second with 901.
Leading the overseas pool was American, Tim Mack who knocked down 951 pushing down overnight leader, Son Young Seok of Korea into second spot with 933. Kuwait's Yaqoub Al-Shatti did well to finish third with 923.
The highest 4-game qualifying series in the very difficult condition was posted in the Men's Graded A division. Sorapong Hongkhum of Thailand knoked down 977 for a 244.25 average to lead the division.
The top 2 in the Youth Open division also surpassed the 900-mark when Malaysia's national youth member, Aris Ardilla posted 906 in his 4-game qualifying round followed by Korea's Seo Seung Won, who downed 902.
Qualifying continues through to Friday, 11th May and the Open Masters finals will be contested over two blocks of 8 games on Saturday and Sunday. The top 6 at the end of the two blocks will make the cut for the stepladder finals. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will also qualify for the second leg of this year's ABF Tour.
Detailed scores: Men's O Qualifying | Men's O Qualifying | Photo Album.
Photos by Terence Yaw.