Doha, November 15 (QNA) - The 28th Asian Bowling Championships continued for the second day in Doha.

Hosted by the Qatar Bowling Federation at its own bowling center, the tournament will run until Nov. 23. It features 168 athletes,108 men and 60 women, representing 18 Asian nations. This continental sporting gathering brings together some of the sport's top stars, highlighting the significant scale of participation and the intense competition expected for the various titles.

Today's competition featured the men's singles and women's doubles events.

In the men's singles competition, Kuwait's Mohammad Abdul Razzaq claimed the gold medal, finishing in first place across six rounds with a total score of 1,390 points. Malaysia's Tun Hakim took the silver medal and second place with a total of 1,383 points, while Hong Kong's Michael Mak Siu-yun earned the bronze medal, finishing third with a total of 1,381 points.

Today also featured six rounds of competition in the women's doubles event. The Malaysian duo of Sahar Noor Siazwani and Irawan Adalia Noor secured the gold medal, finishing in first place with a total score of 2,753 points. Another Malaysian pair, Fatin Najihah and Nastasia Nora Liyana, took the silver medal and second place with a total of 2,732 points, while the Philippine duo of Gela Grace and Makatula Krizia earned the bronze medal, finishing third with a total of 2,717 points.

The tournament continues Monday with the men's doubles competition, followed by the awarding of the winners.

Tournament Director Saeed Al Hajri affirmed that the competition has featured a high level of play and intense challenges from the very start, with an elite group of Asia's top players taking part.

Al Hajri told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Qatar's team had aspired to achieve a notable result in the singles competition; however, the intensity of the rivalry and the closely matched skill levels of the players made the task difficult. He expressed his hope that the team's players would be able to make amends during tomorrow's doubles competition and secure one of the tournament's medals.

He congratulated Kuwait's team on their athlete winning the gold medal in the men's singles event.

Regarding the team Qatar prospects in the remaining competitions, the tournament director emphasized that all competitors have an equal chance. He expressed strong confidence in the team members' abilities to deliver better performances in the coming days and to achieve positive results.

Assessing the technical standard of the championship, Al Hajri noted that the competition was extremely intense. He pointed out that achieving a score of 1,390 points across six attempts is no easy feat. He added that the Korean athlete, a top contender for the gold medal, remained a strong competitor right up to the final attempts. This, he explained, reflects both the high level of technical proficiency and the closely matched abilities of the participating athletes.

Al Hajri expressed his delight at the praise the organizing committee received from participating delegations and officials from the Asian Bowling Federation. He emphasized that such recognition reflects the success of the organizational efforts made to provide an optimal environment for the competitions, as well as the provision of all the facilities and services necessary for the athletes to focus, perform at their best, and achieve outstanding results.

Discussing the strategy of the Qatar Bowling Federation and the future of the national team, Al Hajri emphasized that the current phase places a strong focus on developing a new generation capable of continuing the legacy of achievements. He explained that the inclusion of several young players in the men's national team is part of a long-term plan to prepare a squad for the future, especially following the retirement of a number of players from the previous generation.

He pointed out that the national team possesses a number of exceptional talents, including Ghanem Bujasoom, who demonstrates strong technical ability. However, his professional commitments currently prevent him from participating with the team. He further emphasized that there are other players capable of making a valuable contribution and helping to achieve the desired ambitions.

Regarding participation in the championship, Al Hajri revealed that 168 male and female players are competing, with the total number of participants, including administrative delegation members, reaching approximately 230. He further noted that several presidents of Asian federations, including the president of the Chinese Taipei federation, are expected to arrive soon, a development that will bolster the championship's official presence and underscore its significance across Asia.

For his part, Kuwait's national team player Mohammed Abdul Razzaq expressed his delight at winning the gold medal in the men's singles event, emphasizing that this achievement was the result of intensive preparation and the stiff competition that characterized the tournament from its very first day.

Abdul Razzaq told QNA that the competition had been extremely intense since the start of the tournament. He explained that he competed in the men's singles event as part of the first group, where he delivered a strong performance that enabled him to reach the podium and secure the gold medal today.

Kuwait's national team player noted that reaching this level did not happen by chance. Rather, it was the result of a comprehensive preparation program that included intensive training, preparatory camps, and participation in various international tournaments. These experiences helped him gain valuable expertise and compete against elite players at both the continental and global levels. He emphasized that his ambitions do not end with this medal. Instead, he aims to secure further victories and reach the podium in future competitions, thereby reflecting the standing of Kuwaiti bowling on the Asian stage.

Concluding his remarks, he praised Qatar's organization of the tournament, emphasizing that the excellence demonstrated in both the organizational and technical aspects of the competition reflects the extensive experience Qatar possesses in hosting major sporting events. (QNA)