Just a few days ago, two-time EBT winner Ben Robinson was expecting to be back home, settling into his usual routine and preparing to bowl in the Swedish Eliteserien with his team on Sunday. But success has a way of changing plans. His unexpectedly strong performance on the Shark pattern earned him a bye to the top 16—resulting in a last-minute change to his travel plans.
"I was meant to come home Wednesday, but had to move it when I realized I got a bye," he said in an interview with Erikas Jansonas from BowlingLife.
His path to the top 16 wasn’t an easy one. The first three animal patterns didn’t quite go his way. The two-handed lefty finished 157th in Scorpion, 45th in Viper, and only 186th in Chameleon. Yet, heading into the fourth and final animal pattern competition, he remained patient and focused.
"I still felt like I bowled well," Ben explained. "I just wasn’t seeing the perfect picture in front of me, but I took what I saw and learned from it each day. And with Shark, I just matched up really well." That adjustment paid off, earning him an 8th finish in the qualification and a crucial bye in the top 16, setting up an exciting next challenge.
Robinson didn't make it to the top 50 in the World Championship, so now all eyes are on his upcoming match on Shark pattern against none other than Jason Belmonte, one of the most accomplished bowlers of this generation. For Ben, it’s an opportunity rather than an obstacle. "I can’t wait. I have nothing to lose going up against him and everything to win. After all, he is one of the best in the world."
As a two-handed bowler himself, who shifted to this style just before COVID-19, facing Belmo carries extra significance. "His journey is inspirational and something worth looking up to." That respect will fuel the matchup, making it not just a battle on the lanes but a meaningful moment in Ben’s career—one with a bright future still ahead.
Luckily, he has some wise words from a close friend to lean on. Richie Teece, who won his first PBA Tour title at the Shark Championship in 2017, is definitely the right person to listen to. When asked what advice Teece gave to Robinson, he said Richie kept it simple: "Just be patient. If it’s your day, it’s your day."
Meanwhile, Richie himself is still in the hunt at the WSOB World Championship. With eight games left in the Advancer Round, Teece is sitting 259 pins from the cut to the top 16. How does Ben rate his friend’s chances? "I think he has as good a chance as everyone else out there. But of course, I’m biased and want to see him win!"
The PBA Shark Championship continues on Wednesday, March 19, starting at 9 a.m. local with the Round of 16. Players will compete in a best-of-five match, followed by the Round of 8 at 11:30 a.m. The four winners and the highest-seeded losing player from the Round of 8 will move on to the stepladder finals, set to take place at 4 p.m. on FS1 the same day.
PBA Shark Championship results can be found here.
PBA World Championship results can be found here.
