(Top) Lt Col (R) Pg Hj Rambli Pg
Hj Bunut, chairman of the 2012
Special Olympics Asia Pacific
Bocce Games,delivering a speech
during the opening ceremony at
the RBPF Sports Complex in
Gadong on Monday.(Above)Some
of the athletes taking part in
the parade.Pictures: BT/Saifulizam

Brunei are off to a good start at the 4th Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce Games 2012.

The Sultanate picked up five gold medals in the Singles events - with Brunei A winning three and Brunei B notching the other two - yesterday at the Bolkiah Stadium of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) headquarters in Gadong.

Brunei A are currently in second place tied with Thailand with a total of three gold, three silver and two bronze medals in the seven-team table.

The first gold medal for Brunei A came courtesy of Khairul Sabirin Shaarani after he swept aside Thailand's Surachet Ninphan 12-1 to claim the gold in Division 7.

Li Chun Gid added a second in Division 8 after defeating Fraanz Mikko A Mapanao of the Philippines 12-2 in the final.

The third gold medal was after Dk Amaliyana Pg Hj Mohammad edged Filipino Harold Jay 7-5 in the final of Division 9.

Md Syukri Anwari had to settle for silver after losing 10-4 to Thailand's Duangdao Siinta in the final of Division 6.

Over in Division 13, Md Faizuddin Hj Ahmad Yokop was second best to Bangladesh's Md Mungurul Islam after losing 12-2.

The other silver medal was through the efforts of Muzhamrie Hj Mohammad who was edged 7-6 by Malaysia's Norashikin Md Lazim in the final of Division 17.

The two bronze medals for Brunei A were won by Fatin Zulraini Abdullah (Division 10) and Dk Nur Afiffah Izzati Pg Abd Rahman (Division 15).

On the other hand, Brunei B are in sixth place with their tally of two gold, three silver and one bronze medals.

Muhaimin Mudin beat teammate Muhd Anis Firdaus Hj Maidin 9-2 in Division 2 to claim the first gold.

Siti Nurafiffah Azimah Sahal claimed the gold medal in Division 5 after rolling to a 9-1 triumph over Fiky Wicahyono of Indonesia.

Nurhamraa Chaine of Brunei B finished second after losing 10-5 to Thailand's Sudarat Ruedee in the final of Division 1.

Nisfiaturohmah Sofian was downed 10-5 by Angelo Puzon of the Philippines in Division 11 for the second silver.

The only bronze was courtesy of Md Fahmi Sapar in Division 6.

The Philippines currently lead table with a total of five gold, two silver and one bronze medals.

Katherine Gan won the first gold for the Philippines in Division 10 after overcoming M Tarequl Alam Khandakar 9-4 in the final.

After Puzon had finished at the top of the podium, Christine Joy Galura made it three for the Philippines after easing to a 9-0 victory over Miati Tifani of Indonesia.

The fourth gold was courtesy of Nikki Louise Somollo after winning 12-4 against Indonesia's Dwi Puji Lestari in Division 14.

Last but not least, Cherry Rose Lopez defeated Malaysia's Manuel Das Kulandaisamy 12-1 to claim Division 15.

Malaysia are in fourth with one bronze less while Bangladesh occupy the fifth position with three gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

Indonesia are at the bottom of the standings and are the only team without a gold medal with four silver and three bronze medals to their name.

The competition continues today starting at 8am with the Doubles and Unified Doubles events.

Courtesy from Brunei Times