KUALA LUMPUR: Bowlers Nur Hazirah Ramli and Megat Zaqrul Haiqal Megat Zairudin have made an impressive start in the inaugural Youth World Cup in Lima, Peru.
Hazirah and Megat performed so well that they have already secured their places in the next stage, even with one more day of qualifying still to be completed on Wednesday.
Hazirah, a winner of five international titles last year, leads the women's standings with an impressive total of 2,703 over 12 games at the Videna Bowling Centre.
Hazirah was 41 pins ahead of second-placed Sara Duque of Colombia (2,411), while Nora Johansson of Sweden was third with 2,382.
National youth champion Zaqrul also showcased his title credentials, posting 2,952 to be placed third in the men's leaderboard.
Sweden's Ilhammar set the pace with 2,703 while Colombia's Samuel Calderon occupied second spot with 2,677.
Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress
secretary-general
Maradona Chok
commended the performances of Hazirah and Haiqal.
"After two days of competition, Hazirah and Megat are ranked highly in the top three of their respective events. All they need to do is make the top 16 cut, and based on their current standings, they have already confirmed their slots in the next stage with just one more block remaining," said Maradona.
"The second stage features a round-robin format where the field will be trimmed from 16 to eight for the knockout stage.
"Hazirah and Megat are bowling well and confidently. As long as they stay focused and motivated, I have no doubts that they can go the distance."