Bukit Kiara Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, saw a phenomenal day of action at the 2025 World Cup as 72 top players from 12 global nations made a final push in their bid to be come history-makers in this inaugural sporting spectacle.
In what can only be described as a frantic Friday, the hottest action was in the men’s singles with some incredible performances on the final day of sectional play seeing a brand-new ladder of quarter-finalists appear.
Qualifying for the last eight are England’s Sam Tolchard and Hong Kong, China’s Ka Ho Lee, who finished first and second in section one, India’s Dinesh Kumar and Malaysia’s Muhammad Soufi Bin Susli, who claimed first and second place in section two, World Bowls Series No 1 Scotland’s Jason Banks and Wales’ Danny Davies Juniors, who took the honours as number one and two in section three, and Malaysia’s Izzat Shameer Bin Dzulkeple and Corey Wedlock from Australia finishing in the two places in section four. Banks and Davies looking to make it double success having already booked their spot in the pairs final going head-to-head with skips Paul Foster MBE and Ross Owen respectively.
In the women’s pairs, New Zealand’s Selina Goddard and Katelyn Inch are the only pair to remain unbeaten from their five games. They headed section one with Canada’s Emma Boyd and Kelly McKerihen in second. Hong Kong China’s Cheryl Chan and Helen Cheung topped section two, ahead of Ireland’s Chloe Wilson and Lara Reaney in second.
In the para events, Australia and Scotland are bidding for a second medal with James Reynolds and Pauline Wilson already having reached the para mixed pairs final against each other with partners Serena Bonnell and Garry Brown respectively.
In the men’s singles, Hong Kong, China’s Wai-Sum Tong has won five out of five of his games to clinch section one, with Australia’s James Reynolds in second spot, while in group two, South Africa’s Jarid James won the group, with India’s Utpal Basumatari as runner-up.
New Zealand’s Teri Blackbourn has remained unbeaten in section one of the women’s para singles returning winning scorecards from all her five games, while Scotland’s Pauline Wilson finished second. England’s Sally-Ann Lewis Wall (with director Elizabeth Shipley) progresses as section one victor, with Malaysia’s Jariah Binti Zakari in second.
Super Saturday kicks off at 9 am with the final push for medal glory and World Bowls Series platinum ranking points set to be another cracking day of actions.
Men’s singles quarter-finals at 9 am
Sam Tolchard (England) v Muhammad Soufi Rusli (Malaysia)
Jason Banks (Scotland) v Corey Wedlock (Australia)
Dinesh Kumar (India) v Daniel Davies Junior (Wales)
Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple (Malaysia) v Ka Ho Lee (Hong Kong China)
Women’s pairs semi-finals at 10.30 am
New Zealand v Ireland
Hong Kong China v Canada
Para women’s singles at 9 am
Teri Blackbourn (New Zealand) v Jariah Zakaria (Malaysia)
Sally-Ann Lewis-Wall (England) v Pauline Wilson (Scotland)
Para men’s singles at 9 am
Wai-Sum Tong (Hong Kong China) v Utpal Basumatari (India)
Jarid James (South Africa) v James Reynolds (Australia)
Finals begin at 12.30 with the men’s pairs, para women’s singles, para men’s singles and women’s pairs followed at 2 pm by the women’s singles, para mixed pairs and men’s singles.
Keep up-to-date via the official links:
Event information: worldbowls.com/world-cup-2025
Live scoring, results and draw: results.mc.worldbowls.com
Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/WorldBowls
Friday also saw the first staging of a bowls clinic with Australia’s Barrie Lester and it was exciting to see young bowlers from all across Malaysia joining the star for an incredible morning of skill-building as he inspired the next generation of bowlers.
Caption: Both Malaysia’s male players have made it through to the last eight in the singles. Credit: Bowls Malaysia
Report compiled by Ceris Hewlings, World Bowls media officer
