Masters of the alley
Ahmad Muaz and Siti Safiyah reign supreme at Indonesian Open
PETALING JAYA: It was a glorious Masters double for Malaysia at the Indonesian Open bowling championships.
Ahmad Muaz Fishol staged a remarkable comeback to win the men’s title while Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman bagged the women’s crown at the Ancol Bowl in Jakarta yesterday.
Muaz was in his element as he outplayed American professional D.J. Archer 258-216 and 298-204 in the final. It was his first title since winning the 2014 PBAP BevidaStorm International Masters Classic in Manila.
“I’m really happy to win an Open tournament after a lapse of two years ... it’s been a while,” said the 23-year-old Muaz, who received 150mil rupiah (RM48,000) for his efforts.
“I would like to dedicate this win to my mother (Fadzilah Che Ani). She celebrated her 51st birthday three days ago.”
Muaz had barely made the topsix cut for the stepladder finals. After the eight games in the second round, he was placed sixth with an eight-game total of 1,783 pinfalls.
Archer, a two-time US PBA Tour winner, topped the field with a 1,933 total.
In the first stepladder roll-off, Muaz posted 237 to see off fourthplaced Tommy Jones of the United States (161) and fifth-placed Marcus Kiew of Singapore (203).
Muaz continued his march in the roll-off, chalking up 257 to beat second-placed Kim Bolleby of Thailand (238) and third-placed Lee Tak Man of Macau (153) to reach the final.
The women’s final was an all-Malaysian affair with first-placed Siti Safiyah taking on veteran Shalin Zulkifli.
Shalin, who fought from fifth place to reach the title playoff, forced a sudden-death roll-off after winning the first game 226-197.
But Siti Safiyah recovered her composure to win 253-182 to take home 70mil rupiah (RM22,000).
“I finished second and third on too many occasions since I last won a title (World Ranking Masters) in 2009. To have finally won today is very fulfilling,” said Siti Safiyah.