Colombia's Manuel Otalora averages 243.63 to lead Squads C, D & E after first block in Bahrain

    03/06/13

    Bahrain

    2013BOManuelOtalora.jpg2013BOMikaKoivuniemi.jpgManuel Otalora (pictured left) of Colombia averaged toppled 1949 pins and averaged 243.63 for eight games in Squad D to lead the 72 players of squads C, D & E after the first block of qualifying in the 11th Bahrain Open.

    The 2009 World Games champion in Singles came out of the gates with games of 248, 247, 257, 229, 254, 249 and a high game of 279 for an average of 251.86 over seven games. Otalora finished with a 186 low game to miss the high average by one pin.

    Mika Koivuniemi (right) of Finland leads squads A & B, who have already completed both qualifying blocks, with 3915 total and an average of 244.69 for 16 games. Otalora needs a 1967 series (245.88 average) in the second block on Wednesday to overtake the Finn by one pin.

    2013BOIldemaroRuiz.jpg2013BOYousifFalah.jpgSquad D bowlers set the tone on Tuesday by taking the top seven spots on the eight-game leaderboard. Otalora's fellow South American Ildemaro Ruiz Jr. (left) of Venezuela was second with 1846 (230.75) including a high game of 290 and is on course to make the top 6, who will be seeded in Final Round Five.

    Third-place Yousif Falah (right) of Bahrain leads all local bowlers by average with 1823 and an average of 227.88. The best Bahraini bowler after qualifying will be seeded sixth if no Bahraini finishes in the top 5.

    Fourth and fifth place belonged to Wicky Yeung and Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong with 1808 (226.00) and 1807 (225.88). Three-time World Champion Martin Larsen of Sweden was close behind in sixth place with 1785 (223.13) with Australia's Andrew Frawley in seventh place with 1774 (221.75).

    2013BOBaselAlAnzi.jpg2013BOTonyRanta.jpgDefending champion Osku Palermaa, who was eighth in Squad D, sits in ninth place overall with 1762 (220.35) and is sandwiched between Squad E leader Basel Al-Anzi (left) of Kuwait (1773, 221.63) and his compatriot and Squad C leader, Tony Ranta (right; 1749, 218.63). Al-Anzi also had a 1712 series in Squad C.

    Qualifying concludes on Wednesday with the second block 10 a.m. (C), 2.30 (D) and 7 p.m. (E) Arabia Standard Time.

    Total 30 players will advance to the finals on Thursday and Friday including the top 27 qualifiers, the next two Bahrainis and the top-ranked woman (women receive seven pins handicap). Players 1-6 receive three byes. If there is no Bahraini player among the top 5, the best Bahraini will be seeded sixth.

    Players 7-12 will receive two byes and players 13-18 earn one bye. The other 12 players advance to Final Round Two. Final Round 2-4 consist of six games scratch with the top six players advancing to the next round.

    The remaining twelve players bowl a final six-game Block in Round Five to determine the top three players who will bowl for the title and the 7,500 Bahraini Dinar (approx. US$19.385) first place check.

     


    Related Articles


    Mika Koivuniemi shoots another perfecto to maintain lead in 11th Bahrain Open
    Mika Koivuniemi shoots 300 on his way to take early lead in 11th Bahrain Open

     


    Qualifying Standings after 8 games (Squad C, D & E only)

    * indicates female bowler (scores including seven pins handicap)

     


    Qualifying Standings after 16 games (Squad A & B only)

    * indicates female bowler (scores including seven pins handicap)

    Â