Inazawa Grand Bowl in Aichi, Japan (March 13-16, 2008)
The 46th All Japan Bowling Championships were held at Inazawa Grand Bowl, a 116-laner in Aichi, Japan. Takashi Saito (l.) from Yamagata emerged as the men's Masters Champion: while Kaori Daimaruya (r.), a former national team member from Saitama claimed the women's Masters title.The Minister's Cup for the best men's team went to Aichi, while Saitama. claimed the hosting prefecture and Minister's Cup for women.
Qatar Bowling Center in Doha, Qatar (March 10-19, 2008)
The title match of the H.H. The Emir’s Cup 2008 at Qatar Bowling Center in Doha, featured the top seeded players. Long-time Qatar international Bandar Al-Shafi (pictured left), seeded second, defeated No. 1 seed Naif Oqab, 409-366, over two games total pinfall to earn the title and the 75.000 Qatari Riyals top prize (approx. USD20,640). Al-Shafi took a slim 4-pin lead after winning the first game, 195-191, and cruised to victory with a 214-175 win in game #2. The title match was the lowest-scoring match of the entire match play finals.
Republished courtesy of Malaysia Star - Malaysia (March 18, 2008)
A minor snag has delayed national top women bowler Shalin Zulkifli from getting into the world of professional bowling. But for Shalin, it is better late than never. A change in dates of the World Ranking Masters, which will be held from April 30-May 6 in Jakarta, saw it clashing with the USBC Queens in Detroit. And Shalin has decided to put the country's interest first by skipping her first professional tournament this year.
Australia's high-profile ambassador for bowling, Jason Belmonte, will feature in Network Ten's TOTALLY WILD program going to air nationally in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth at 4pm on Wednesday, 26 March. Constantly on the move, Belmo is back in Europe this week to compete in one of the Majors on the European Bowling Tour, the Brunswick Euro Challenge (the picture shows Belmo at Plaza Bowling), being staged at the 28-lane Plaza Bowling Centre in Saint Maximin, France.
Republished courtesy of Malaysia Star - Malaysia (March 15, 2008)
It's finally going to happen. Shalin Zulkifli is all set to begin her journey as a professional bowler this year. Yesterday, national chief coach Holloway Cheah confirmed that arrangements had been made for Shalin to compete in professional tournaments in the United States. "The national women's team, led by Shalin, will leave for the United States to compete in the USBC Queens in April. Shalin will stay on in US after that."
E-Zone bowling center in Cairo ( Feb. 21-27, 2008)
Karim Elgewaily (pictured left) and Mohamed Merdash (right) won the men's and juniors' titles in the E-Zone Open Bowling Tournament at E-Zone bowling center in one of the biggest malls in the Middle East, City Stars in Cairo, Egypt. In the men's division, #3 Belal Abdo #2 Elgewaily, 190-174. Elgewaily carried the momentum in the title match against tournament leader Sheriff Abdl Moneam and secured the title with a 232-170 victory.
Shinagawa Prince Hotel Bowling Center in Tokyo, Japan (March 7-9, 2008)
Japan's Nao Ohishi topped Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia in the title match, 208-188, to win the 2nd annual DHC Cup Girls Bowling International Championship at Shinagawa Prince Hotel Bowling Center in Tokyo, Japan. Ohishi, who represented the Japan Bowling Congress, led the field of 71 women after nine games of qualifying and held on to the lead in the 32-player semi-finals over six games to earn the number one seed for the stepladder finals. In a close semi-final match, #3 Roumimper sidelined #2 Kelly Kulick, United States, 207-204.
Republished courtesy of Malaysia Star - Malaysia (March 11, 2008)
Five elite bowlers – Aaron Kong (left), Adrian Ang, Sharon Koh, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman and Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani (right) – are eligible to compete in Sukma (Malaysia Games) following the decision to allow the participation of top national athletes in the Under-23 multi-sport carnival. But the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) have asked for an exemption to keep their top players out of the Games, which will be held in Terengganu from May 31-June 9. The National Sports Council (NSC) Sukma secretariat chief, Abdul Jalil Abdullah, said that only bowling had asked for an exemption thus far.
The Executive Committee of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) has fined the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) 50,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approx. USD 15,800) for "various breaches of WTBA tournament sanctioning rules, regulations and protocols". The issue a.k.a. "Scandal over 300 Perfect Game Award" goes back to the 2006 Malaysian International Open Bowling Championships. Threatened by drastic measures such as withdrawal of the sanctioning from all MTBC tournaments and suspension of the ABF membership the MTBC has paid the fine immediately.
Immediately after the Hurghada Open the 2008 Egyptian National Team Trials took place at the International Bowling Center in Cairo, capital city of Egypt. The top 8 players for the national team were determined in 30 games over five days on long and short oil lane condition. Hurghada Open champion Tarek Helmy (left) and runner-up Karim Sherif (right) carried the momentum into the team trials and finished 1, 2 like in Hurghada in February.
Republished courtesy of New Straits Times - Persekutuan, Malaysia (Feb. 28, 2008)
The men's national bowlers, after their impressive outing in the recent PBA Tour-Denny's World Championships in Indianapolis, the United States, are now being looked upon as one of the world's most feared. According to national coach Holloway Cheah, several top professional bowlers in the U.S. had predicted that the Malaysian men would fall like tenpins in the tournament but were proved wrong. "Many professionals thought lowly of them (the men) before the start of the tournament. They were actually astonished when the national bowlers, especially Zulmazran Zulkifli (pictured left), gave them a tough time in the event," said Holloway yesterday.
Surfers Paradise Lanes, QLD, Australia (Feb. 22-24, 2008)
Victorian and dual Australian Masters Champion Mac Stewart bowled 212 & 236 to defeat South Australia's Brenton Davy 448-405 (178 & 227) over two games total pinfall to claim the victory in the inaugural Ebonite Gold Coast International Sport Series Final for 2008 at Surfers Paradise Lanes, QLD, Australia. 75 bowlers from all parts of Australia and New Zealand traveled to the very popular holiday destination, to qualify in three 5-game blocks on three different sports patterns, with pinfall and match play bonuses determining the makeup of the top 16 finalists.
Ebb and Tide Bowling Center in Hurghada, Egypt (Feb 3-8, 2008)
Egyptian national team captain, Tarek 'Taco' Helmy (left) won the 10th Hurghada Open at Ebb and Tide Bowling Center in Hurghada, the Red Sea Resort in Egypt, with a 163-132 victory over defending champion Karim Sherif (right). It was the second victory for Helmy in Hurghada after 2005. The four player stepladder finals was an all Egyptian affair and was broadcasted live on national TV as well as on the sports channel.
Republished courtesy of The Philippine Star - Manila, Philippines (Feb. 16, 2008)
Four-time World Cup champion bowler Paeng Nepomuceno has been absent from the local bowling scene in recent months. It's not because he's been on vacation. The world record-holder for the most number of international tournaments won is now playing on a bigger stage, and it begins at the United States Bowling Congress in snow-covered Greendale, Wisconsin. Nepomuceno is a member of the first batch of United States Bowling Congress (USBC) coaches from outside the continental United States. He is currently taking a Silver certification course which ends on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).
On January 10th, 2008 the city of Tokyo, Japan has delivered the application form to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Lausanne headquarters, completing a critical phase in Tokyo's bid to host the XXXI Olympic and the Paralympic Games to be held in the year 2016. The Japan Bowling Congress (JBC) and the Bowling Council of Japan (BCJ) have announced that they will fully support the 'Tokyo 2016 Olympic Games Bid Committee'. Of course, another purpose of this movement is to promote bowling into the 2016 Olympic Program.
Republished courtesy of Electric New Paper - Singapore (Feb. 9, 2008)
The equation was crystal clear to Singapore's king of bowling. Remy Ong had to come up with a world record breaking performance to win the singles title at the World Men's Championships in South Korea in September 2006. Bowling in the squad before Ong, American bowler Rhino Page had established a new six-game world record of 1,481 pinfalls. The American was in pole position to clinch the coveted world champion title. But Ong had other ideas.
AMF Cross Road in Cross Roads, SA, Australia (Jan. 26-27, 2008)
Andrew McArthur claimed the title in the 2008 AMF South Australia Cup at AMF Cross Road in Cross Roads, SA, Australia. In the opening match, McArthur topped Brenton Davy, 445-406. McArthur carried the momentum into the final against No. 1 seed Jason Walsh. He took an insurmountable 71-pin lead with a 255-184 win in game #1 and the match was practically over. Walsh responded with a 206-171 win in game two, but McArthur claimed the title with 426-390 two-game pinfall total.
Republished courtesy of Malaysia Star, Malaysia (Jan. 28, 2008)
Shalin Zulkifli could be out of the country for at least six months in her pursuit to get into the world of professional bowling this year. The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) have given Shalin the blessings to turn pro. And she is now waiting for the National Sports Council (NSC) to approve her plans before she leaves for the United States. Although the women's professionals have yet to announce their major Tours for the year, Shalin is ready to embark on her ambitious plan by taking part in regional tournaments in Los Angeles.
AMF Norwood Bowl in Norwood SA, Australia (Jan. 26-27, 2008)
Former Professional Women's Bowling Association star Carol Gianotti (left) became the seventh multiple champion in the Women's Adelaide Cup as she won the 2008 edition by a comfortable margin. The 16-time PWBA champion, who was voted PWBA Player of the Year 1998, averaged 228.15 over 27 games and compiled a 7-2 won-loss record in match play to win her second title after 2005 with 6300 pinfall total. Maxine Nable was second with 6198, with defending champion and 3-time winner Ann Maree Putney in third at 5939.
Republished courtesy of New Straits Times - Persekutuan, Malaysia (Jan. 25, 2008)
Esther Cheah has decided to follow in Shalin Zulkifli's footsteps and turn professional. Esther, who will compete in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Women's Tour in the United States, has no choice but to turn pro as she is barred from representing her university in the Inter-College tournaments. Esther, who is studying psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is considered a professional bowler as she was earning a living from the sport when in Malaysia.
The 46th All Japan Bowling Championships were held at Inazawa Grand Bowl, a 116-laner in Aichi, Japan. Takashi Saito (l.) from Yamagata emerged as the men's Masters Champion: while Kaori Daimaruya (r.), a former national team member from Saitama claimed the women's Masters title.The Minister's Cup for the best men's team went to Aichi, while Saitama. claimed the hosting prefecture and Minister's Cup for women.
The title match of the H.H. The Emir’s Cup 2008 at Qatar Bowling Center in Doha, featured the top seeded players. Long-time Qatar international Bandar Al-Shafi (pictured left), seeded second, defeated No. 1 seed Naif Oqab, 409-366, over two games total pinfall to earn the title and the 75.000 Qatari Riyals top prize (approx. USD20,640). Al-Shafi took a slim 4-pin lead after winning the first game, 195-191, and cruised to victory with a 214-175 win in game #2. The title match was the lowest-scoring match of the entire match play finals.
A minor snag has delayed national top women bowler Shalin Zulkifli from getting into the world of professional bowling. But for Shalin, it is better late than never. A change in dates of the World Ranking Masters, which will be held from April 30-May 6 in Jakarta, saw it clashing with the USBC Queens in Detroit. And Shalin has decided to put the country's interest first by skipping her first professional tournament this year.
Australia's high-profile ambassador for bowling, Jason Belmonte, will feature in Network Ten's TOTALLY WILD program going to air nationally in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth at 4pm on Wednesday, 26 March. Constantly on the move, Belmo is back in Europe this week to compete in one of the Majors on the European Bowling Tour, the Brunswick Euro Challenge (the picture shows Belmo at Plaza Bowling), being staged at the 28-lane Plaza Bowling Centre in Saint Maximin, France. 
It's finally going to happen. Shalin Zulkifli is all set to begin her journey as a professional bowler this year. Yesterday, national chief coach Holloway Cheah confirmed that arrangements had been made for Shalin to compete in professional tournaments in the United States. "The national women's team, led by Shalin, will leave for the United States to compete in the USBC Queens in April. Shalin will stay on in US after that."
Karim Elgewaily (pictured left) and Mohamed Merdash (right) won the men's and juniors' titles in the E-Zone Open Bowling Tournament at E-Zone bowling center in one of the biggest malls in the Middle East, City Stars in Cairo, Egypt. In the men's division, #3 Belal Abdo #2 Elgewaily, 190-174. Elgewaily carried the momentum in the title match against tournament leader Sheriff Abdl Moneam and secured the title with a 232-170 victory. 
Japan's Nao Ohishi topped Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia in the title match, 208-188, to win the 2nd annual DHC Cup Girls Bowling International Championship at Shinagawa Prince Hotel Bowling Center in Tokyo, Japan. Ohishi, who represented the Japan Bowling Congress, led the field of 71 women after nine games of qualifying and held on to the lead in the 32-player semi-finals over six games to earn the number one seed for the stepladder finals. In a close semi-final match, #3 Roumimper sidelined #2 Kelly Kulick, United States, 207-204. 
Five elite bowlers – Aaron Kong (left), Adrian Ang, Sharon Koh, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman and Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani (right) – are eligible to compete in Sukma (Malaysia Games) following the decision to allow the participation of top national athletes in the Under-23 multi-sport carnival. But the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) have asked for an exemption to keep their top players out of the Games, which will be held in Terengganu from May 31-June 9. The National Sports Council (NSC) Sukma secretariat chief, Abdul Jalil Abdullah, said that only bowling had asked for an exemption thus far.
The Executive Committee of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) has fined the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) 50,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approx. USD 15,800) for "various breaches of WTBA tournament sanctioning rules, regulations and protocols". The issue a.k.a. "Scandal over 300 Perfect Game Award" goes back to the 2006 Malaysian International Open Bowling Championships. Threatened by drastic measures such as withdrawal of the sanctioning from all MTBC tournaments and suspension of the ABF membership the MTBC has paid the fine immediately. 
Immediately after the Hurghada Open the 2008 Egyptian National Team Trials took place at the International Bowling Center in Cairo, capital city of Egypt. The top 8 players for the national team were determined in 30 games over five days on long and short oil lane condition. Hurghada Open champion Tarek Helmy (left) and runner-up Karim Sherif (right) carried the momentum into the team trials and finished 1, 2 like in Hurghada in February. 
The men's national bowlers, after their impressive outing in the recent PBA Tour-Denny's World Championships in Indianapolis, the United States, are now being looked upon as one of the world's most feared. According to national coach Holloway Cheah, several top professional bowlers in the U.S. had predicted that the Malaysian men would fall like tenpins in the tournament but were proved wrong. "Many professionals thought lowly of them (the men) before the start of the tournament. They were actually astonished when the national bowlers, especially Zulmazran Zulkifli (pictured left), gave them a tough time in the event," said Holloway yesterday.
Victorian and dual Australian Masters Champion Mac Stewart bowled 212 & 236 to defeat South Australia's Brenton Davy 448-405 (178 & 227) over two games total pinfall to claim the victory in the inaugural Ebonite Gold Coast International Sport Series Final for 2008 at Surfers Paradise Lanes, QLD, Australia. 75 bowlers from all parts of Australia and New Zealand traveled to the very popular holiday destination, to qualify in three 5-game blocks on three different sports patterns, with pinfall and match play bonuses determining the makeup of the top 16 finalists.
Egyptian national team captain, Tarek 'Taco' Helmy (left) won the 10th Hurghada Open at Ebb and Tide Bowling Center in Hurghada, the Red Sea Resort in Egypt, with a 163-132 victory over defending champion Karim Sherif (right). It was the second victory for Helmy in Hurghada after 2005. The four player stepladder finals was an all Egyptian affair and was broadcasted live on national TV as well as on the sports channel. 
Four-time World Cup champion bowler Paeng Nepomuceno has been absent from the local bowling scene in recent months. It's not because he's been on vacation. The world record-holder for the most number of international tournaments won is now playing on a bigger stage, and it begins at the United States Bowling Congress in snow-covered Greendale, Wisconsin. Nepomuceno is a member of the first batch of United States Bowling Congress (USBC) coaches from outside the continental United States. He is currently taking a Silver certification course which ends on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).
On January 10th, 2008 the city of Tokyo, Japan has delivered the application form to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Lausanne headquarters, completing a critical phase in Tokyo's bid to host the XXXI Olympic and the Paralympic Games to be held in the year 2016. The Japan Bowling Congress (JBC) and the Bowling Council of Japan (BCJ) have announced that they will fully support the 'Tokyo 2016 Olympic Games Bid Committee'. Of course, another purpose of this movement is to promote bowling into the 2016 Olympic Program. 
The equation was crystal clear to Singapore's king of bowling. Remy Ong had to come up with a world record breaking performance to win the singles title at the World Men's Championships in South Korea in September 2006. Bowling in the squad before Ong, American bowler Rhino Page had established a new six-game world record of 1,481 pinfalls. The American was in pole position to clinch the coveted world champion title. But Ong had other ideas.
Andrew McArthur claimed the title in the 2008 AMF South Australia Cup at AMF Cross Road in Cross Roads, SA, Australia. In the opening match, McArthur topped Brenton Davy, 445-406. McArthur carried the momentum into the final against No. 1 seed Jason Walsh. He took an insurmountable 71-pin lead with a 255-184 win in game #1 and the match was practically over. Walsh responded with a 206-171 win in game two, but McArthur claimed the title with 426-390 two-game pinfall total.
Shalin Zulkifli could be out of the country for at least six months in her pursuit to get into the world of professional bowling this year. The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) have given Shalin the blessings to turn pro. And she is now waiting for the National Sports Council (NSC) to approve her plans before she leaves for the United States. Although the women's professionals have yet to announce their major Tours for the year, Shalin is ready to embark on her ambitious plan by taking part in regional tournaments in Los Angeles.
Former Professional Women's Bowling Association star Carol Gianotti (left) became the seventh multiple champion in the Women's Adelaide Cup as she won the 2008 edition by a comfortable margin. The 16-time PWBA champion, who was voted PWBA Player of the Year 1998, averaged 228.15 over 27 games and compiled a 7-2 won-loss record in match play to win her second title after 2005 with 6300 pinfall total. Maxine Nable was second with 6198, with defending champion and 3-time winner Ann Maree Putney in third at 5939. 
Esther Cheah has decided to follow in Shalin Zulkifli's footsteps and turn professional. Esther, who will compete in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Women's Tour in the United States, has no choice but to turn pro as she is barred from representing her university in the Inter-College tournaments. Esther, who is studying psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is considered a professional bowler as she was earning a living from the sport when in Malaysia.