KUWAIT: Malaysia was finally able to put an end to a monopoly by South Korea over the top places in the Asian Bowling Championships since 2008, by holding first place during the 25th Asian Bowling Championship which concluded on Wednesday, 10 days after its start at Kuwait Bowling Center in Salmiya.

Malaysia collected six gold, one silver and four bronze medals, followed by South Korea which took 3 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze, China won 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, Hong Kong one gold, Taipei two silver, one bronze, Indonesia two silver, Kuwait and India one silver each and Japan 2 bronze medals.

South Korea dominated the last five Asian Championships, as Malaysia returned to its familiar place after a long absence.
China's Du Jianchao won the Masters gold medal on the last day of competition beating Taipei's Lin Pai-Feng by (491-455) in the decisive round.

Meanwhile Japan's Asato Shusaku took the bronze after losing to Chao by the score of 256-234.

In the women's category Malaysia's Esther Cheah took gold medal by defeating South Korea's Jung Dawun by the score of (452-445), while Baek Seungia defeated Dawun with the score of (245-244) to take the bronze.

President of the International and Asian Bowling Federations, Chairman of Kuwait Bowling Club Sheikh Talal Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah honored the top three players in the best player category in Asia for the year 2016/17. They were Michael Mak from Hong Kong, Rafiq Ismael from Malaysia, and Kim from Thailand.

Sheikh Talal Al-Mohammad said competition in the 25th Championship was of high standard in all of competitions as the scores indicate.
He said the championship gave Kuwaiti and Arab players an excellent opportunity to improve through competition with Asia's Champions.
Sheikh Talal congratulated the winners and lauded the efforts of all committees for their role in ensuring its success, and thanked the Asian countries for participating.

By Abdellatif Sharaa