Singapore women dominate qualifying
24th May, K.Lumpur: Singapore national bowlers dominated the qualifying rounds of the 34th Canon Malaysian International Open by occupying seven of the ten positions in the Women's Open overseas pool at Sunway Mega Lanes on Tuesday. 2011 Asian Championship Doubles gold medalist, Bernice Lim led the overseas standings with 1306 over two 3-game series of 676 and 630 ahead of Tan Yan Ling in second with 1262 and Kristel Oh third with 1248.
19-year-old Bernice, who was crowned National Champion last year and winner of three gold medals at the 2010 Asian Youth Championship in Kuwait, will certainly be a title contender during the finals this weekend.
2008 AMF World Cup champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan finished fourth with 1235 followed by BWAA Collegiate Bowler of the Year, Jazreel Tan in fifth position with 1228.
Guangzhou Asian Games Trios gold medalist and 2009 Malaysian Open first runner-up, Geraldine Ng sixth with 1140 followed by 2009 Singapore National Champion, Fok Ka Wai completing the top 7 with 1121.
Other Singapore national bowlers, Shayna Ng and Ilma Nur Jannah were ninth and tenth while Anthea Soh, Oriana Tay and Nur Dyana occupied the top three positions in the mixed pool.
2010 Indonesia Open champion, Zatil Iman topped the local pool with an astonishing 1487 to lead veteran national team-mate, Wendy Chai second with 1395 and 2010 Singapore Open champion, Sin Li Jane third on 1364.
In the Men's Open division, Singapore's best finisher so far was Jevarn Li who occupied fourth position in the overseas pool with 1350 behind leader, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong with 1455.
2011 Saudi Open champion, Remy Ong finished fifth with 1333 ahead of team-mate, Jason Yeong-Nathan sixth with 1331. 2009 Asian Youth Games silver medalist, Brandon Lee was 11th in the same table with 1269.
Guangzhou Asian Games two gold medalist, Alex Liew topped the local table with 1504 ahead of 2010 National Champion and ex-international, Kang Bo Long in second with 1434. Two-time Malaysian Open champion, Zulmazran Zulkifli was third with 1421.
The top 4 qualifiers in both the local and overseas pool of the Men's Open standings will earn bye into Round 2 finals while the remaining 8 from the local pool, 8 from the overseas pool, 13 from mixed pool and 3 from desperado squad will contest Round 1 final.
The top 25 will then be joined by the 8 seeded qualifiers for Round 2 finals with the top 6 advancing to the stepladder finals.
The top 3 qualifiers in both the local and overseas pool of the Women's Open standings will earn bye into Round 2 finals while the remaining 7 from the local pool, 7 from the overseas pool and 12 from mixed pool will contest Round 1 final.
The top 21 will then be joined by the 6 seeded qualifiers for Round 2 finals with the top 6 advancing to the stepladder finals.
Photos by Terence Yaw.