Malaysia's and Singapore's Bowlers Win Titles at MWA-Thailand Open
- Erikas Jansonas
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The 49th MWA-Thailand International Open Bowling Championship came to an end on July 24 at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl in Bangkok. The event brought together top bowlers from across Asia and beyond, with 178 men and 64 women bowlers competing this year.
Men’s Division: Malaysia’s Izz Naqiuddin Takes the Title
Malaysia’s Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin won the Men’s Open Masters title after a strong showing in both the earlier rounds and the final stepladder.
Izz, who topped the third round with 1,383 total, entered the stepladder finals as the top seed. In the title match, he faced No. 6 seed Singapore’s Mike Ong, who had worked his way up from the quarterfinals.
The final used the 1+1 format, and Ong struck first by winning the opening game 202–183. That forced a sudden-death decider. Izz responded with a clean game, including a three-strike finish from the eighth frame, to win 223–183 and secure the title.
This marks Izz’s second title in the past month, following his recent victory at the KL Open. He also becomes the latest Malaysian to win the Thailand Open, following in the footsteps of his idol Rafiq Ismail, who won in 2015 and 2023.
Mike Ong had earlier defeated Jaris Goh of Singapore and Aldric Bathan of the Philippines. He then advanced from the semifinal by beating Malaysia’s Syazirol Shamsuddin and Hong Kong’s Tony Wong.
For his win, Izz earned 350,000 Thai baht (approx. €4,300).
Women’s Division: Charmaine Chang Wins for Singapore
In the Women’s Open Masters, Singapore’s Charmaine Chang claimed the title after entering the stepladder finals as the top seed.
Chang faced Malaysia’s Siti Safiyah Amirah in the final and won 242–224 to seal the championship. Siti Safiyah had advanced by defeating two teammates, Nur Syazwani Sahar and Nora Lyana Nastasia.
Chang had led the third round with a total of 1,362. Nur Syazwani and Siti Safiyah followed in second and third positions, while Singapore’s Shayna Ng and Ning Tay, along with Malaysia’s Nora Lyana, completed the top six for the stepladder finals.
Chang took home 130,000 Thai baht (approx. €1,600).
