Thai claims pole and camera
27th March, K.Lumpur: ABF Tour Thailand leg champion, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand claimed pole position and the Canon PowerShot A410 digital camera in the 29th Malaysian International Open Bowling Championship at Pyramid Mega Lanes. The 2002 World Youth Singles and All Events Gold medalist scorched the lanes to post 993 to claim the overall pole position in the Men's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard. Yannaphon recorded lines of 227, 289, 269 and 208, just 7 pins short of the 1,000 mark.
"I didn't know that I had won the camera after I finished my qualifying," said the 23-year-old university student from Bangkok. "I was only concentrating to making the finals and I'm glad I did. Yannaphon had beaten the 278 set by both UAE's Hussain Al-Suwaidi and Korea's Kim Ko-Won in the earlier squads.
Kim and Hussain ended up in fourth and sixth in the table with 932 and 923 respectively. Second went to Saeed Obaid of UAE with 948 followed by Manila SEA Games Singles Gold medalist, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia third with 942. In the local pool, youngster, Zaid Izlan maintained his lead with 975 ahead of reigning ABF Tour TOC champion, Daniel Lim in second with 966 and Lim Fung Jung third with 961.
Meanwhile, 2004 ABF Tour Singapore champion, Kim Eun-Jung of Korea scored a superb 889 to take up third position behind compatriot, Kim Ae-Young on 908 in the lead. The 33-year-old goverment servant from Kyungki City improved her earlier score of 858 to move up from fifth.
Hong Kong's Joey Yip snatached second spot with an impressive score of 907. The Hong Kong National team member posted lines of 176, 236, 237 and 258 to average 226.75. In the local front, Siti Khadijah Osman continued to lead with 928 followed by Manila SEA Games Gold medalist, Choy Poh Lai in second with 923.
Asian Youth Gold medalist, Zandra Aziela improved stayed in third place with 894 pushing down four-time Natinal champion, Shalin Zulkifli of Selangor to fourth on 890. Asian Youth Gold medalists, Zatil Iman and Esther Cheah rounded the top 5 in furth and fifth spots with 880 and 866 respectively.
Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.