Rafiq Ismail won the KL International Open 2026 on 21 June, his third title in a row at the event. The left-hander rolled 2,020 over eight games in the Mixed Open Masters final at Sunway Mega Lanes, 102 pins clear of national teammate Tun Hakim. Meanwhile, Nur Syazwani Sahar defended the women's title she won in 2025.
Men's results: a 102-pin winning margin
The Masters final was a straight eight-game total, with no step-ladder. Megat Zaqrul Haiqal of FND Empire/UPM led for much of the day. He opened with 279 and later added 267 and 259 to go 72 pins clear after five games. However, Rafiq answered with 290, 287 and 267 in games five to seven. Then Megat Zaqrul dropped to 182 and 214, and Rafiq took control.
Tun Hakim finished strongly with 276, 246 and 258 to snatch second on 1,918, three pins ahead of Megat Zaqrul. Korea's Kim Ko Woon also rolled a 300 in his opening game, although he finished outside the top ten.
| Place | Bowler | Team | Total | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafiq Ismail | Malaysian Podium | 2,020 | RM30,000 |
| 2 | Tun Hakim | Malaysian Podium | 1,918 | RM15,000 |
| 3 | Megat Zaqrul Haiqal | FND Empire/UPM | 1,915 | RM10,000 |
| 4 | Chong Jun Foo | Hero Bowling | 1,895 | Not stated |
| 5= | Muhammad Syazirol Shamsuddin | Malaysian Podium | 1,894 | Not stated |
| 5= | Hafiz Zainuddin | Malaysian Podium | 1,894 | Not stated |
Women's results at the KL International Open 2026
Women bowled in the same mixed final with a 7-pin handicap per game, and the top woman took the women's title. Nur Syazwani finished ninth overall with 1,864 to win it. Siti Safiyah Amirah, the top women's qualifier, was second, and Faten Najihah Ahmad Faik third.
| Place | Bowler | Total | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nur Syazwani Sahar | 1,864 | RM8,000 |
| 2 | Siti Safiyah Amirah | 1,831 | RM4,000 |
| 3 | Faten Najihah Ahmad Faik | 1,809 | RM2,000 |
A big month for Rafiq
The win capped a strong June. Rafiq had already won the 44th Malaysian International Open earlier in the month. According to the Asian Bowling Federation, he also won the Singapore Open the week before. ABF describes him as the 2025 Asian ranked number one.
About the event
The Kuala Lumpur Tenpin Bowling Association (KLTBA) organises the KL Open, and MTBC and the ABF sanction it. The KL International Open 2026 ran from 15 to 21 June. As well as the open division, it had graded, youth, under-12 and senior events. For example, the 2026 rules set graded limits at a 200 average for men and 190 for women. Entry in the mixed open cost RM150 to register plus RM130 per qualifying attempt.
What's next
Rafiq and Tun Hakim are both in Malaysia's squad for the IBF World Cup 2026. At home, the next open events are the Penang International in December and the Sarawak International Open in May 2027. See the full Malaysian bowling competitions calendar for dates.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the KL International Open 2026?
Rafiq Ismail won the Mixed Open Masters with 2,020 over eight games, his third KL Open title in a row. Nur Syazwani Sahar won the women's title with 1,864, including handicap, to defend the crown she won in 2025.
How much did the KL Open 2026 champion win?
Rafiq took RM30,000. Tun Hakim earned RM15,000 for second and Megat Zaqrul Haiqal RM10,000 for third. In the women's prizes, Nur Syazwani won RM8,000, Siti Safiyah Amirah RM4,000 and Faten Najihah Ahmad Faik RM2,000.
Who organises the KL International Open?
The Kuala Lumpur Tenpin Bowling Association (KLTBA) organises it, with sanction from MTBC and the Asian Bowling Federation. The 2026 edition ran from 15 to 21 June, and the finals took place at Sunway Mega Lanes in Petaling Jaya.
Can amateurs enter the KL International Open?
Yes, if they are MTBC members in good standing accredited by their state association. The 2026 rules had graded divisions for men averaging 200 and below and women averaging 190 and below, plus youth, U12 and senior events.
