14th September, Hong Kong: Korea dominated the Masters stepladder finals ending the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships at Kong Hong Sports Institute bowling centre by sweeping the gold and silver medals in both the Boy's and Girl's divisions.

In the all-Korean Boy's title match, top seed Lee Kyu Hwan defeated team-mate and No. 2 seed, Lee Ik Kyu, 426-385 to win Korea's first gold medal in the boy's division. Kyu Hwan edged Ik Kyu 222-211 in the first game before going on to take victory with an easy 204-174 win in the second match.

Ik Kyu, start off better in the first match with a double and Kyu Hwan opened in the second frame. But the top seed bounced back with a four-bagger and another double to beat Ik Kyu.

Despite an early opened second frame in the second match, Ik Kyu stumbled to a spilt in the fifth and a single pin miss in the sixth frame making a recovery impossible.

"There is less pressure when bowling against you team-mate when you know tht it does not matter who wins so long as Korea take the gold," said the 20-year-old champion through an interpreter.

"Our girls have already won two gold medals already and we have yet to win one, so this victory is important. I'm also happy that we took the silver medal."

Ik Kyu, who dispatched No. 3 seed, Kenta Yoshida of Japan, 221-191 to win his second silver medal of the competition. Ik Kyu won the Singles bronze medal on opening day. Despite winning the gold and silver medals, Koren boys finished second to Indonesia, who emerged as Boy's Champion for the first time ever.

The girl's division saw a similar senario with No. 3 seed, Choi Ae Rim defeating top seed, Kim Jin Sun, 516-466 in the another all-Korean finals. Choi bowled a big game of 279 to take the first match and added 237 in the second against Kim's 238.

Both the Korean girls turned in two perfectly clean games without either opening a single frame. Choi denied No. 2 seed and All Events gold medalist, Joey Yeo Ruoqi a crack at the title after beating the Singaporean, 221-190 in the semi.

"Of course it was easier to bowl against your team-mate especially when we train together," said Choi, who won her first gold in the Singles and a second gold in the Team event, picked up her third gold medal of the competition with this victory.

"It was important to shut out the Singaporean so that we ca assure ourselves the gold and the silver. My target after this would be to make next year's World Youth team and I'll train harder."

The victory sealed Korea the Girl's champion title as well the overall country champion title. Korea won 4 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze medal with the girls contributing 3 gold medals.

Indonesia took second spot with a medal haul of 2-1-5, their best-ever outing in the Asia Youth while Malaysia took home 2 gold and 1 silver medal.

The victory banquet was held at Rotunda 1 ballroom at Kowloon Bay International Trade and Exhibition Centre. Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress will hand over the championship flag to Macau, China who will host the next Asian Youth meeting in 2015.

13th September, Hong Kong: Lee Kyu Hwan and Kim Jin Sun of Korea secured top seeds for the Boy's and Girl's Masters stepladder finals of the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships after ending the second block in pole positions.

Singles bronze medalist, Lee Ik Kyu of Korea, who had earlier topped the first block round-robin finals by a single pin ahead of Team gold medalist, Kenta Yoshida of Japan, started well winning his opening match to retain the lead.

Justin Lim, who was third in the first block, moved into second spot after also having a win in the ninth match as the Japanese slipped down to third with a poor 147.

Lee's lead lasted for another before seeing his team-mate, Lee Kyu Hwan taking over the running after a sizzling victory in the 11th match with 268. Kyu Hwan won his next four matches and begun to build up a 170 pins cushion before the position round match.

Ik Kyu trailed his compatriot throughout and despite taking the position round match with 225 over Kyu Hwan's 175, the two Koreans secured their spots in the stepladder finals first and second with 3592 and 3509.

Yoshida claimed the third stepladder spot with 3451 while Singles gold medalist, Chong Jun Foo missed the cut in fourth with 3363, a distant 88 pins adrift.

Ik Yu will face Yoshida in the Boy's stepladder finals first match at the Hong Kong Sports Institute bowling centre tomorrow. The winner will then square off with top seed, Kyu Hwan over 2-games total championship match.

The Girl's second block Masters finals was a much closely fought contest which saw Kim Jin Sun of Korea and All Events gold medalist, Joey Yep Ruoqi of Singapore battling for the lead.

As first block leader, Ji Eun Sol of Korea hit a bad patch of matches and falling out of contention, Yeo took over the running before losing it to Kim in the 11th and 12th matches. But the Singaporean regained the lead after the 13th match.

And although both won their remaining two matches, the position round saw Yeo beating Kim 225-217 but had to settle for second for the stepladder finals with 3443 while Kim secured top spot with 3498.

Singles gold medalist, Choi Ae Rim of Korea, claimed the third and final stepladder spot with 3423, 108 pins ahead of another Korean, Kim Hee Bin in fourth position with 3315.

Choi will meet Yeo in the girl's first stepladder match to determine who will challenge top seed, Kim in the gold medal match over two-games total.

Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia tied in the overall medal tally with 2 gold medals each. With Indonesia and Malaysia out of the stepladder finals in both divisions, Korea will emerge as overall champion if Singapore and Japan win the two final gold medals.

12th September, Hong Kong: Japan sprang a big upset to bag the prestigious Boy's Team gold medal at the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships while Korea led from start to finish to win their second gold medal in the Girl's division.

Doubles gold medalist, Billy Muhammad Islam-Diwan Rizaldy and Doubles bronze medalist, Imam Wiguna-Adhiguna Widiantoro led the first block of 3 games earlier in the day with 2690 team total, 78 pins ahead of their nearest opponent, Korea in second and Japan third.

Despite managing only 797 at the start of the second block, Indonesia remained in the lead albeit seeing their margin reduced to just 30 pins by Korea as Japan edged closer to the leading duo.

Whilst Indonesia suffered a set back in the fifth game with only 755, Korea was able to pass their keen rival. But it was the Japanese quartet which went ahead with a sizzling 859 to take over the running.

Sayato Takahira, Takuya Miyazima, Yuhi Shinbata and Kenta Yoshida ended with another superb 893 to seal victory with 5185 and claimed the gold medal. "Our coach told us that we have a good chance of winning a medal today," said Yuhi Shinbata, who scored the highest in the team with 1313.

"He also told us to learn from the Singles and Doubles event to improve in the team. Our coach also advised us what ball we should use for today. We're glad to that each one of us are able to take home the gold medal."

Korea's Lee Ik-Kyu, Im Gyei-Lui, Choi Woo-Sub and Lee Kyu-Hwan held on to second spot with 5049 to earn the silver medal, 136 pins adrift while Indonesia settled for the bronze medal with 4964.

Kuwait made a late charge in their final game with 828 but felt shot by 68 pins for fourth position with 4896 as Philippines rounded out the top 5 with 4896.

Billy Muhammad Islam won his second gold medal after topping the All Events with 3955, 98 pins ahead of Jose Paolo G. Darroca of the Phillipines, who shot the highest 6-games total of 1374 to win the silver with 3857.

Billy's Doubles team-mate, Diwan Rizaldy clinched the bronze medal with 3845 while Singles gold medalist, Chong Jun Foo, who was second going into the sixth and final game of the team event, shot a disasterous 145 to slip down to fifth behind Lee Ik-Kyu of Korea.

Justin Lim of Singapore took the 16th and final spot in the All Events standing with 3657 to make the cut for the Masters finals.

Meanwhile, first block leader Korea led from start to finish to win their second gold medal of the competition with victory in the Girl's Team event. Kim Jin Sun, Choi Ae Rim, Kim Hee Bin and Ji Eun Sol amassed 4932 pinfalls for the win.

"We were not very comfortable in the first block over the medium oil condition as our balls were hooking alot," said anchorwomen, Ji Eun Sol through an interpreter. "We were completely at ease in the second block over the long oil pattern so we could pull away from our nearest rival.

"Winning the team gold medal is very important for us and our country because we will take home a gold medal each. It's great to win two gold medals and I can't wait to win more," said Choi Ae Rim, who picked up the Singles gold medal in the opening day.

Joey Yeo, Tracy See, Kimberly Ooi and Ilma Nur Jannah, who trailed the Koreans most of the block, took home the silver medal with 4828, 104 pins behind.

Like their team-mates in the boy's division, Indonesia's Nadia Pramanik, Aldila Indryati, Cheya Chantika and Alisha Nabila clinched the bronze medal with 4745. Japan missed the podium to finish fourth with 4497.

Joey Yeo registered the highest 6-games total of 1394 in the team event to seal Singapore's first gold medal with 3859. Kim Jin Sun took home the silver medal with 3724 while Joan Cheng, who rolled a big game of 260 in the sixth and final game to clinch the bronze medal with 3673.

Two bronze medalist, Cheya Chantika missed the podium by 6 pins to finish fourth in the All Events standings. All four Korean girls made the Masters finals with three each from Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia. Singapore has two and Hong Kong one finalist.

The top 16 boys and top 16 girls will contest the Round-Robin Masters finals over two blocks of 8 games tomorrow and Saturday. The top 3 boys and top 3 girls at the end of the finals will advance to the step-ladder Grand finals which will be held at Hong Kong Sports Institute Bowling Centre in Shatin on Sunday.

11th September, Hong Kong: Squad 1 leader, Billy Muhammad Islam and Diwan Rizaldy finally picked up Indonesia's first gold medal of the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships with victory in the Boy's Doubles while Malaysia added a secong old in the girl's division.

Singapore's second pair of Alexander Tan and Justim Lim had made all the running in the Boy's Doubles second squad but was edged off by Indonesia's second pair of Imam Wiguna and Adhiguna Widiantoro in their sixth and final game to take Squad 2.

Although they pair failed to topple the first two finishers of the earlier squad, it did earned them the bronze medal with 2547 behind their team-mates of Billy and Diwan, who sealed the gold medal after they led Squad 1 with 2712. Malaysia's Jonathan Ding and Wan Nazdmi Fikri settled for the silver medal with 2676.

Billy, who had topped the first Singles squad yesterday only to be pipped off by Chong Jun Foo in the second squad by 7 pins, finally nailed his gold of the competition.

"Of course I'm disappointed to take the silver medal but the Malaysian fully deserve the victory after having converted a difficult spare to win the gold," said the 20-year-old Billy, who posted the highest 6-games of 1362 in the doubles and now leads the All Events by 91 pins.

"I couldn't stand another agonising experience again so I went back to the hotel. We could finally celebrate after my team-mates text me to say that we have won the gold at the end of the second squad."

Kuwait's Mostafa Al Mousawai and Aseel Al Roomi made a last minute bid to finish in the podium but ended up second in the Squad 2 to take up fourth overall with 2541, just 6 pins away from third.

Meanwhile, Malaysia picked up their second gold medal when Faten Najihah and Victoria Chin posted a total of 2644 to overhual Squad 1 leader of Kim Hee Bin and Ji Eun Sol of Korea in the Girl's Doubles event.

Apart from the second Australian pair leading in the first game, the Malaysian pair led throughout to top the squad with an impressive margin of 195 pins. Faten and Chin also surpassed the Korean pair by 148 pins to earn the gold medal.

Singapore's second pair of Joey Yeo and Ilma Nur Jannah stormed home to edge the second Indonesian pair by 7 pins with 2449 to earn the bronze medal.

"I had a chance to win the gold medal in the Singles yesterday but I threw it away with a poor game in the sixth," said Faten. "But today, both Victoria and I were able to cover each other well.

"The victory today more than made up for the disappointment. We are definitely going to be stronger in the team event and hopefully we can bring home more medals."

Singles bronze medalist, Cheya Chantika and Alisha Nabila of Indonesia, who finished third in the second squad, missed the podium by 7 pins to take up fourth position with 2442. Faten and Chin occupied the top two spots in the All Events with 2541 and 2483 respectively after two events.

Competition will shift to the 4-player Team event tomorrow over two blocks of 3 games on medium and long oil pattern. The top 16 boys and top 16 girls in the All Events after the Teams will qualify for the Round-Bobin Masters finals on September 13 and 14.

11th September, Hong Kong: Billy Muhammad Islam-Diwan Rizaldy of Indonesia led the first squad of the Boy's Doubles event at the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships while Kim Hee Bin-Ji Eun Sol of Korea topped the girl's division on Wednesday.

Malaysian first pair of Jonathan Ding-Wan Nadzmi Fikri got off the mark with a superb 489 in their opening game of the Boy's Doubles Squad 1 to lead New Zealand's first pair of Anthony Carbonell-Kaled Allardyce in second by 9 pins.

Ding and Wan Nadzmi continued their strong pace with 501 to stretch their lead to 99 pins as the first Indonesian pair of Singles silver medalist, Billy Muhammad Islam and Diwan Rizaldy moving up into second spot.

The Malaysian duo remained in the lead past the halfway mark but was caught up by the Indonesian to reduce their gap from 99 pins to 27 pins after the fourth game.

Billy and Diwan ended the six-games block stronger than their neighbours with 427 and 470 to snatch the lead with a total of 2712. Malaysia settled for second spot with 2676, 36 pins adrift. Tony Wong and Otto Leung of host nation, Hong Kong did well after storming home to clinch third spot with 2522 but a further 154 pins away.

In the girl's division, Korea stamped their mark by leading from start to finish to end the first squad with 2496 and 76 pins ahead of their nearest rival. Kim Hee Bin scored 1275 to add to Ji Eun Sol's 1221 for the lead.

Kana Shimoide partnered Singles silver medalist, Shinobu Saito to give Japan another chance of earning a medal in the doubles event after they duo trailed the Korean pair all the way to finish second with 2420.

Indonesian first pair of Nadia Pramanik and Adila Indryati recovered after a poor start to claim third spot with 2384 while Macau and Singapore pairs rounded out the top 5 with 2287 and 2271 respectively.

Traditionally, the stronger pairs of all teams are slotted into the second squad and as the scores are also higher in the medium oil condition, the chances are the leaders of the first squad could be beaten.

10th September, Hong Kong: Chong Jun Foo snatched Malaysia's first gold medal of the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships from Squad 1 leader, Billy Muhammad Islam of Indonesia while Choi Ae Rim sealed her first gold for Korea in the girl's division.

2011 Thailand Open, Lee Ik-Kyu set a blistering pace with an opening game of 246 to lead the second squad, 22 pins ahead of Chen Kuan-Lin of Chinese Taipei in second. Despite following up with 214 and 224 in his next two games, Lee managed to hang on to the lead just 1 pin ahead of Aseel Al Roomi of Kuwait in hot pursuit.

Another superb game of 210 in the fourth game put the Korean youngster in a strong position for a medal as Chong Jun Foo fired 256 and 237 in the third and fourth game to draw level with Lee and 460 pins away from Squad 1 leader, Billy Muhammad Islam of Indonesia.

Lee suffered a poor game of 170 to slip down badly while Chong rolled 259 to take over the running and needing ony 202 or more to overhaul the Indonesian to take the gold.

By the seventh frame, Chong had failed to roll a strike and feeling the pressure while Lee recovered and was stringing multiple strikes.

The Malaysian then struck three times which meant he only needed to mark his tenth and final frame to win. But Chong suffered a 4-6-9 split and to the delight of his team-mates and coaches, he amazingly spared the frame assuring him the gold.

The champion ended with 208 for a 1361 total to edge Billy Muhammad Islam by 7 pins on a total of 1354. The Korean ended strongly with 258 to clinch the bronze medal with 1322.

"I knew I had tied with the Korean after four games and when I rolled 259, I knew I had a chance to take victory," said the 20-year-old Sarawakian, Chong. "I knew I had to end with another good game so I gave all I had.

"When I encountered the final frame split, I had to go for broke and luckily I managed to spare it. I used the same ball throughout but had to continuously make adjustments. I have to thank my coach and team-mates for this win."

Hong Kong's David Tsang made a last minute bid to finish in the podium with a big game of 267 but settled for fourth on 1305, 17 pins adrift. Squad 1 second and third-placed Anthony Carbonell and Sayato Takahira were pushed down to fifth and sixth positions.

Meanwhile, leader of the Girl's Singles Squad 1, remained in the lead to win Korea's first gold medal after she totaled 1246 pinfalls. Second in the same squad, Shinobu Saito took the silver medal with 1220.

After a keen tussle for the lead in the second squad between Alisha Nabila of Indonesia and Faten Najihah of Malaysia, there was nothing separating the pair up to the fourth game in pursuit of the Korean.

Faten rolled 227 to put herself in a good position and needing only 200 or more to snatch the gold while Alisha slipped away, her team-mate, Cheya Chantika needed a high game of 258 or more after the fifth game.

The Malaysian suffered with 179 in the final game and out of contention while Cheya downed 223 to take the squad and the bronze medal with 1211, 3 pins ahead of Faten.

"I'm so glad that no one could better my score in the second squad," said the 20-year-old Korean national youth from Daejeon. "This is a good start for us and we hope we can continue to do well in other events."

Im Ji Hyang of Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea stormed home to take fifth spot with 1202 to give her country a best finish ever in the championship.

Competition will shift to the doubles event tomorrow, again divided into two squads for the girls and boys. The Team events, over two blocks of 3 games will be contested on Thursday, September 12.

The top 16 boys and top 16 girls based on the All Events standings (18 games) will qualify for the Masters finals on Septmber 13 and 14.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

10th September, Hong Kong: Billy Muhammad Islam of Indonesia claimed top spot in the opening squad of the Boy's Singles of the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships as Korean Choi Ae Rim topped the Girl's division underway at SCAA Bowling Center.

Australian Joshua Morel set a cracking pace with an opening game of 247 to lead Singapore's Marcus Leong in second, 13 pins away as forty-one boys took to the lanes for their Singles event over long il pattern.

The Aussie kept a good pace to remian in the lead after the second game but slipped away badly as Cheng Hsing-Yueh of Chinese Taipei took over the running at the halfway mark to lead Korea's Lee Kyu Hwan by 24 pins.

Billy Muhammad Islam of Indonesia, who had kept a close distance with the pace-setters, moved into the lead for a 16-pin lead over Ahmed Muaz of Malaysia as the Indonesian posted a superb game od 244 in the fourth game.

Another 212 in the fifth allowed the Asian Schools Team gold medalist to remain in the lead albeit just 1 pin ahead of a second Taiwanese, Chang Cheng in second as other pacers dropped away.

Billy ended the the sixth game with a sizzling 278 to top the squad with 1354 and giving himself a chance for a medal. New Zealand's Anthony Carbonell also brought home a strong game to snatch second spot with 1278.

Sayato Takahira of Japan clinch third spot with 1275 while Chang and Lee rounded out the top 5 with 1248 and 1220. Early leader Joshua Morel ended in 21st position.

In the girl's division, the gap amongst the top 5 is much closer. Chan Weng Sam of Macau set the early pace to lead with 215 opening game but Shinobu Saito of Japan led for next three games, 26 pins ahead of Choi Ae Rim of Korea.

Choi's 248 in the fifth put the Korean debutant the lead while Shinobu slipped down to second. Choi ended the squad with 191 to lead with 1246 and the Japanese lass settled for second with 1220.

2012 Asian Schools multiple gold medalist, Joey Yeo Ruoqi of Singapore stormed home to clinch third spot with 1191 while a second Korean, Kim Hee Bin and Nerocha Keligit of Malaysia completed the top 5 with 1183 ans 1171.

The remaining 40 boys and 24 girls will take to the lanes for their Singles in the second squad later today. The combined scores will determine the top 3 medal winners.

8th September, Hong Kong: A colourful and traditional opening ceremony marked the official opening of the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships at SCAA Bowling Center on Sunday.

The ceremony was graced by guests of honour, His Highness Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah, President of the Asian Bowling Federation, Mr Victor Hui Chun Fui, GBS, JP, Vice President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Ms Olivia Chan Yeuk Oi, Acting Deputy Director of Leisure & Cultural Department and Ms Vivien Lau, BBS, JP., the Organizing Chairman, Honarary Life President of ABF and Secretary General of FIQ.

Also present was Mr Mike Seymour, WTBA and ABF Vice President, ABF Executive Committee Members, Mr Farouk Haridi (Egypt) and Mr Abdullah Rees, Vice President of Bahrain Bowling Federation.

Among them were countless distinguished guests, federations presidents and representatives, consulars in Hong Kong of the participating countries, representatives of sponsors, team officials, coaches, players, supporters and spectators.

Ms Astrid Lo, emcee for the opening ceremony, welcome all present and kicked off the ceremonies by first introducing the guests of honours, ABF Executive Committee Members before announcing the marchpast of the twenty-one participating countries.

Speeches started off with the organising chairman, Ms Vivien Lau welcoming the players and officials to the championships followed by His Highness Sheikh Talal, who expressed gratitude to the support shown by member federations of ABF in participating at this year's championships.

Guest of Honour, Mr Victor Hui then delivered an inspiring speech on behalf of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

Hong Kong national bowlers, Michael Mak and Joan Cheng took the bowlers' oath on behlaf of the players while Mr Leung Yuet Ming, Head Referee, took the oath on behalf of tournament officials.

Ms Vivien Lau then invited Sheikh Talal, Mr Victor Hui and Ms Olivia Chan Yeuk Oi, Acting Deputy Director of Leisure & Cultural Department to perform the traditional dotting of the lions' eyes to mark good fortune and smooth running of the championships followed by Mr Hui declaring the championships officially opened.

The traditional lion dance was performanced by the Sun Ngai Kwun Performing Arts group, which thrilled those who witnessed the lion dance for the firt time. The guests were then invited to a welcoming reception hosted by HKTBC at the SCAA Chinese Restaurant.

Competition will kick off on September 10 with the Singles for boys and girls and September 11 with the Doubles for the boys and girls. The Team of 4 over two blocks of 3 games each will be staged on September 11 and 12.

The top 16 boys and top 16 girls based on the All Events standings (18 games) will qualify for the Round-Robin Matchplay finals over two blocks on September 13 and 14. The top 3 boys and top 3 girls will proceed to the stepladder finals. The championship will close with the victory banquet at the KowloonBay International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.

8th September, Hong Kong: A record twenty-one countries are taking part in the 17th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships which will begin on September 9 at SCAA Bowling Center.

81 boys from twenty-one countries and 48 girls from twelve countries have been entered for the week long championship which will kick off on September 10. This is by far the highest turnout of the Asian Youth Championship series since 1981.

The previous championship held in Cairo, Egypt in 2012 had boys teams from only eight countries and girls teams from five countries. The low turnout was largely due to the last minute pulling out of Singapore and other countries like Australia, China, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and UAE not taking part.

Technical delegate, Dr Danny Santos, chaired the team managers' meeting at Regal Hong Kong Hotel where players' names were confirmed, rules and regulations elaborated and schedule finalised.

Mr John Janwicz, technical official from Kegel Inc., outlined the lane patterns that will be used for the championship while Mr Frankie Cheung was introduced as the local tournament co-ordinator.

Ms Vivien Lau, Honorary Life President and organizing chairman of the championships, welcomed team officials at the meeting and thanked them for showing support for this championship.

The Jury of Appeal comprise of Sheikh Talal M. Al-Sabah, President of Asian Bowling Federation Mr Alex Lim (Philippines), and Ms Vivien Lau (Hong Kong).

Mr Janawicz assisted Dr Santos in the lane draw which subsequently followed. Players will contest the Singles (Long Oil), Doubles (Medium Oil), Team of 4 (Medium/Long) and the Round-Robin Masters Finals (Long/Medium) over 7 days at SCAA Bowling Center. The Masters stepladder finals will be staged at the HKSI Bowling Center in Shatin.

Competition will kick off on September 10 with the Singles for boys and girls and September 11 with the Doubles for the boys and girls. The Team of 4 over two blocks of 3 games each will be staged on September 11 and 12.

The top 16 boys and top 16 girls based on the All Events standings (18 games) will qualify for the Round-Robin Matchplay finals over two blocks on September 13 and 14. The top 3 boys and top 3 girls will proceed to the stepladder finals. The championship will close with the victory banquet at the KowloonBay International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.