Shalin Zulkifli and Zulmazran Zulkifli (no relation) from Malaysia won the gold medal in Mixed Doubles at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok, Thailand, the final bowling event of the 24th Southeast Asian Games. Biboy Rivera and Liza Del Rosario, Philippines, earned the silver medal while Yannaphon Larp-aparat and Angkana Netrviseth from the host country Thailand received the bronze medal.

In the men's title match between two Asian Games champions, Remy Ong from Singapore, the No. 2 seed, defeated top-seeded Ryan Lalisang, Indonesia over two games total pinfall by just one pin, 441-440, to win the coveted Masters title in the 24th Southeast Asian Games at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok, Thailand. Sharon Limansantoso, Indonesia, seeded third, ousted her team mate Tannya Roumimper in the opening match, 206-190, and then flew past Esther Cheah, Malaysia, 427-365, to earn the women's title.

Two world champions lead the men's and women's Masters after the first 8-game block on the long oil pattern in the 24th Southeast Asian Games at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok, Thailand. Remy Ong (l.), Singapore, who won the gold medals in Singles and All Events at the 2006 Men's World Championships in Busan, Korea, averaged 219.88 and won six of his eight matches to lead the men's division with 1819 pinfall total including 10 pins bonus per win. Sharon Koh, the reigning World Youth Championships Masters champion, leads the women's field with 1696 and a 204.50 average. 

Badin Lertpiriyasakulkit, Phoemphun Yakasem, Surasak Manuwong, Somjed Kusonpithak and Yannaphon Larp-apharat from the host country of Thailand delighted the fans at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok when they claimed the gold medal in the men's Team event at the 24th Southeast Asian Games. While the Malaysian men still haven't won a gold medal, the women's team earned the third title after winning the doubles and trios event. The top 16 men and the top 16 women in All Events qualified for the Masters.

Singles champion Shaun Ng Qenn, Jason Yeong-Nathan and Remy Ong, Singapore finished their six-game series in the men's Trios event at the 24th Southeast Asian Games with their sole 600-game to beat out Indonesia for the gold medal by one pin. The Singaporeans totaled 3490 pins for six games (games 1-3 on long, games 4-6 on short oil), and averaged 193.89. In the women's division, Malaysia's Doubles champions Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman, who teamed with Shalin Zulkifli, posted a huge 673 series in the final game to earn the title.

Thailand and Malaysia dominated the Doubles competition in the 24th Southeast Asian Games at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok, Thailand. In the men's division, Phoemphun Yakasem (1302) and Annop Aromsaranon (1219), pictured, combined for 2521 pinfall total and an average of 210.08 to win the gold medal. The women's title went to Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman, who totaled 2438 pins, an average of 203.17.  Dr. Danny Santos, Philippines, the Technical Delegate for the 24th SEA Games Bowling Competition, gave us a statement in regard to practice procedures in the SEA Games. 

Shaun Ng Qenn, Singapore and Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia started the bowling competition in the 24th Southeast Asian Games at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok, Thailand with victory in the men's and women's Singles. Qenn had high games of 234 and 248 on the short oil pattern en route to win the men's gold medal with 1250 six-game total and an average of 208.33. Roumimper started with 645 for the first three games and despite a sub-par 599 in the second set, the Indonesian maintained the lead to take the gold medal with 1244 pinfall total and an average of 207.33.

Even before a single ball has been bowled, the mind games have already started with the Malaysian and Indonesian bowling teams being barred from the competition venue yesterday. The SF Strike Bowl was sealed off to everyone except the Thai team, who were given first option to train on the freshly oiled lanes in the morning, as the Malaysian and Indonesian teams waited patiently by the roadside.

The 24th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will be held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from December 6 to December 16, 2007. Nakhon Ratchasima, commonly known as Korat, is located about 260 km Northeast of Bangkok. 11 countries will compete in almost 450 events in 45 sports. The bowling competition will be contested at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok from Dec. 6-14. Players will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 11 events men's and women's Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team of 5, Masters and in Mixed Doubles.

The actual lane patterns at the SF Strike Bowl in Bangkok continued to be a secret but (Malaysian) national chief coach Holloway Cheah was not upset at all. The team spent some time practicing at the venue yesterday ahead of the competition, which begins on Saturday. "We expected this. The hosts will not reveal the patterns early. In fact, I think, we made the wise decision on not coming here a week earlier. We would have wasted our time," said Holloway.

The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) have set a target for their team to win four gold medals in the SEA Games but deputy chef-de-mission Zaiton Othman thinks it is a very modest one. "Bowling have been the most consistent team in terms of achieving good results.
"And we look forward to a big gold-medal haul from them in Thailand," said Zaiton after meeting the bowlers in Bukit Jalil yesterday (pictured).

Esther Cheah could give the Korat Sea Games (Dec 6-15) a miss due to studies and exams which opens the door for national back-up bowler Trish Khoo (pictured) to be considered as a replacement. Esther is pursuing a three-year degree programme in psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States. National coach Holloway Cheah, who is also Esther's father, said his daughter's exam is scheduled for just a couple of days after the Sea Games.

Markwin Tee and Liza Clutario of the host country Philippines ended the 23rd Southeast Asian Games at Pearl Bowling Center in Paranaque City, Philippines, with victories in the men's and women's Masters. Clutario posted two big scores en route to defeat Jazreel Tan, Singapore, 460-372. Tee carried the momentum from his semifinal win into the title match as he topped No. 1 seed Remy Ong, Singapore, 437-366. Ryan Lalisang and Putty Armein, both of Indonesia, earned the bronze medals.

Singles champion Cecilia Yap from the Philippines and Malaysia's Daniel Lim led the field of 37 men and 32 women, respectively, in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games after 24 games in All Events (no medal discipline). The top 16 men and top 16 women advanced to the Masters finals.

Malaysia won the gold medals in both the men's and women's 5-player team event in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games at Pearl Bowling Center in Paranaque City, Philippines. Both teams from the host country finished as first runner-up to earn the silver medals, while both teams from Singapore claimed the bronze medals.