The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) has released results from its public survey on urethane bowling balls, revealing that a majority of respondents support some form of change to how urethane is used in certified competition. The one-question survey, distributed via email andsocial media, collected 20,943 responses. USBC used multiple channels to segment responses by audience group, including tournament participants, league bowlers, and the general bowling public. social media social media , According to USBC urethane survey, 57.32% of respondents supported some kind of change regarding urethane governance. Among them, 36.61% favored a full ban on urethane balls in all USBC-certified competitions. 17.63% preferred tighter specifications such as a minimum hardness of 78D, while 3.08% supported restricting urethane only in national tournaments. 57.32% By contrast, 38.67% of respondents preferred to keep current rules, and 4% said the issue did not concern them. While no final decision has been made, USBC stated that the results point toward the need for new governance. The Equipment Specifications Committee will now review all feedback and determine a recommendation, that may include changes to national tournament rules - such as removing certain high-performance urethane balls from national events - or increasing the manufacturing hardness standard for urethane balls going forward. In the USBC urethane survey results, USBC made it clear that no changes are currently being considered for local leagues or tournaments that choose to allow urethane. USBC is also not considering any changes that would justify a return or refund for any bowling ball. For clarification, USBC referenced existing definitions in the Equipment Specifications Manual. Only high-performance urethane bowling balls would be considered for removal from national tournaments. Non-high-performance balls are not expected to be affected by any changes under discussion. Examples of potentially impacted high-performance urethane balls include: Storm Pitch BlackStorm IQ Tour 78/UHammer Purple PearlHammer Black Hammer 78D Storm Pitch Black Storm IQ Tour 78/U Hammer Purple Pearl Hammer Black Hammer 78D Examples of high-performance balls not under consideration: NU Blue HammerStorm LevelMotiv Tank Yellowjacket NU Blue Hammer Storm Level Motiv Tank Yellowjacket Non-high-performance balls not affected: Storm MixHammer AxeMotiv Sniper Storm Mix Hammer Axe Motiv Sniper USBC emphasized that this list is not exhaustive but meant to illustrate the types of urethane equipment currently under review. Full USBC Urethane Survey Results Full USBC Urethane Survey Results The Equipment Specifications Committee is expected to meet in late August or early September 2025. As a reminder, on July 23, USBC released an official statement expressing increasing concerns about the ongoing use of urethane bowling balls in certified competition. As a reminder, on July 23, USBC released an official statement expressing increasing concerns about the ongoing use of urethane bowling balls in certified competition. As a reminder, on July 23, USBC released an official statement expressing increasing concerns about the ongoing use of urethane bowling balls in certified competition.

Is USBC banning urethane bowling balls? In this episode, we break down the facts, rumors, and hidden reasons behind the potential ban. From lane integrity to player development, and from manufacturer pressure to community backlash - this could change the game as we know it. We cover the official USBC statement, explore what’s being said behind the scenes, and ask: is this really about fairness... or something bigger? Tune in the latest episode!

Following USBC’s recent announcement that it is in advanced talks about a potential ban on urethane bowling balls, 32-time PBA Tour title winner, including 15 majors, Jason Belmonte stepped forward to share his views on social media. USBC’s recent announcement USBC’s recent announcement advanced talks about a potential ban on urethane bowling balls advanced talks about a potential ban on urethane bowling balls In a public post on Facebook, Belmonte urged the bowling community and governing bodies to look beyond urethane as the core issue. Instead, he pointed to the environment as the real driver behind the ball's widespread use. post on Facebook post on Facebook “Urethane isn’t our biggest problem - it’s the environments we create that reward its dominant use,” Belmonte wrote. “Bowlers should always use the ball that gives them the best motion for the pattern they’re on. That’s the name of the game. If urethane is dominantly used, it’s because the environment rewards it.” In Belmo's view, the sport should focus on education and lane pattern design that encourages variety - not restrictions. We already accept that different oil patterns challenge different styles and equipment use - short oil, long oil, flat, blended. We don’t ban the implementation of some patterns because they’re hard for some or because certain type balls don’t roll so well on those patterns. We expect bowlers to adjust, learn, and improve," Belmonte added. "Why can’t we take the same approach with urethane? Rather than banning a ball type, let’s use pattern design and education to promote variety. There should be nothing wrong with ‘some of the time’ a urethane ball be effective. He also addressed concerns about competitive fairness and legality. Some critics of urethane worry that certain models soften below legal limits over time. Belmonte acknowledged those concerns and encouraged stronger enforcement, production oversight, and possible updates to urethane specifications. "I believe this is where our governing body needs to step up and create better ways to enforce the legality and work with manufacturers to ensure these issues are no longer happening at production," Belmonte said. "Perhaps further spec changes can be addressed?" Belmonte emphasized that banning entire categories of equipment could set a dangerous precedent. "If we design environments that naturally limit the effectiveness of urethane - some of the time - we will encourage players to explore other options when the environment isn’t fit for it. Because once we start banning whole genres of equipment, where does it stop? If plastic becomes too effective, is that next? What about a new reactive formula? Or a style someone doesn’t like?" Finally, Belmonte pushed back against the claim that legal urethane stunts youth development. Instead, he argued that learning how to use urethane effectively is a skill in itself - and that bowlers should be encouraged to master all tools available. "We should be developing the sport, not shrinking it. Fairness doesn’t mean limiting choice. It means creating a playing field where all tools and styles can exist - and succeed - depending on how well they’re used. This is nearly completely based on the environment we create!"

For a while, rumours about regarding a potential urethane ban was all across internet. Now, it is finally taking shape. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) has issued a formal statement outlining growing concerns over the continued use of urethane bowling balls in certified competition. The announcement, released via social media last night, confirms that the national governing body is actively considering steps that could result in a USBC ban urethane bowling balls in the near future. via social media via social media Over the past several months, USBC has conducted in-depth research on urethane equipment. This process included gathering input from a third-party working group, technical experts, and key stakeholders across the sport. In addition, manufacturers were invited to submit comments during an official feedback period. According to USBC, the current concerns on urethane bowling balls focus on four key areas. First, there are issues with lane pattern integrity. According to USBC, urethane bowling balls tend to break down oil patterns faster than reactive balls. This creates lane conditions that may not match the intended design and can favor certain playing styles over others. lane pattern integrity Second, USBC points to competitive fairness. The use of both urethane and reactive resin balls in the same competitive setting may cause imbalances between different bowler styles. According to USBC, certain athletes gain an unfair advantage out of this. However, it remains unclear how this is defined as an unfair advantage, since each player chooses their own style, lane strategy, and equipment. competitive fairness Third, there are player development concerns, especially for younger athletes. The statement explains that an overdependance on urethane bowling balls may limit skill growth, reduce versatility, and affect how bowlers learn to adjust to different lane conditions. player development concerns Finally, USBC notes challenges with governance and enforcement. Urethane balls often measure softer over time, making it difficult to distinguish between natural wear and possible tampering. This has led to increased integrity issues, confusion at events, and overall discontent within the bowling community. challenges with governance and enforcement In response to these issues, USBC says it will continue to review the matter closely. Along with the official announcement on social media, USBC released a public survey asking on what should USBC do about urethane bowling balls in certified competitions. The survey offers several response options: USBC released a public survey USBC released a public survey Allow urethane with tighter specifications (such as a minimum hardness of 78); USBC ban urethane from all USBC-certified competition at the national, state, and local levels;USBC ban urethane only from USBC National Tournaments;Continue allowing urethane with no changes;This doesn't affect me, I'm not concerned about the topic. Allow urethane with tighter specifications (such as a minimum hardness of 78); USBC ban urethane from all USBC-certified competition at the national, state, and local levels; USBC ban urethane only from USBC National Tournaments; Continue allowing urethane with no changes; This doesn't affect me, I'm not concerned about the topic. All feedback collected to date, along with any new input, will be presented to the Equipment Specifications Committee during their next meeting, scheduled for late August or early September 2025. After that meeting, we should have a clearer picture wether USBC ban urethane bowling ball or not. Although, some sources suggest that the decission might be pretty much settled already. Though not officially confirmed in the USBC statement, sources suggest that bowling ball manufacturers had already been notified that a redefinition and ban of urethane bowling balls is expected. The exact scope and timeline are still under discussion. In the past year, most major brands have already moved away from producing new urethane bowling balls. For example, Storm released its last urethane model, the IQ Tour 78-U, in late 2023, while Hammer launched the Black Pearl Urethane in March 2024. Since then, no other performance-level urethane bowling balls have been released among major brands. IQ Tour 78-U IQ Tour 78-U The ban on urethane bowling balls is already taking place in Europe. In May, we reported that the Norwegian Bowling Federation (NBF) introduced a new rule banning the use of certain urethane bowling balls in major national competitions. This includes the Norwegian National Championships and the National League. we reported that the Norwegian Bowling Federation (NBF) introduced a new rule banning the use of certain urethane bowling balls in major national competitions. we reported that the Norwegian Bowling Federation (NBF) introduced a new rule banning the use of certain urethane bowling balls in major national competitions. Some bowlers were quick to react to the potential ban on urethane bowling balls. For example, four-time PBA Tour title winner Tom Daugherty jokingly suggested banning all spare bowling balls, since they make shooting spares too easy.

The 49th MWA-Thailand International Open Bowling Championship came to an end on July 24 at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl in Bangkok. The event brought together top bowlers from across Asia and beyond, with 178 men and 64 women bowlers competing this year. Men’s Division: Malaysia’s Izz Naqiuddin Takes the Title Malaysia’s Izz Naqiuddin Putera Islahuddin won the Men’s Open Masters title after a strong showing in both the earlier rounds and the final stepladder. Izz, who topped the third round with 1,383 total, entered the stepladder finals as the top seed. In the title match, he faced No. 6 seed Singapore’s Mike Ong, who had worked his way up from the quarterfinals. The final used the 1+1 format, and Ong struck first by winning the opening game 202–183. That forced a sudden-death decider. Izz responded with a clean game, including a three-strike finish from the eighth frame, to win 223–183 and secure the title. This marks Izz’s second title in the past month, following his recent victory at the KL Open. He also becomes the latest Malaysian to win the Thailand Open, following in the footsteps of his idol Rafiq Ismail, who won in 2015 and 2023. Mike Ong had earlier defeated Jaris Goh of Singapore and Aldric Bathan of the Philippines. He then advanced from the semifinal by beating Malaysia’s Syazirol Shamsuddin and Hong Kong’s Tony Wong. For his win, Izz earned 350,000 Thai baht (approx. €4,300). Women’s Division: Charmaine Chang Wins for Singapore In the Women’s Open Masters, Singapore’s Charmaine Chang claimed the title after entering the stepladder finals as the top seed. Chang faced Malaysia’s Siti Safiyah Amirah in the final and won 242–224 to seal the championship. Siti Safiyah had advanced by defeating two teammates, Nur Syazwani Sahar and Nora Lyana Nastasia. Chang had led the third round with a total of 1,362. Nur Syazwani and Siti Safiyah followed in second and third positions, while Singapore’s Shayna Ng and Ning Tay, along with Malaysia’s Nora Lyana, completed the top six for the stepladder finals. Chang took home 130,000 Thai baht (approx. €1,600).

The Finnish Bowling Association has officially announced the national teams that will represent Finland at the upcoming IBF World Championships 2025, set to take place in Hong Kong from November 24 to December 5. IBF World Championships 2025 The decision was made by the association’s board, following the recommendation of the national team coaches. Women’s National Team The women’s team selected to represent Finland includes: Eliisa HiltunenAni JuntunenPeppi KonsteriTiiamari LaukkanenEssi PakarinenEmma Palermaa Eliisa Hiltunen Eliisa Hiltunen Ani Juntunen Ani Juntunen Peppi Konsteri Peppi Konsteri Tiiamari Laukkanen Tiiamari Laukkanen Essi Pakarinen Essi Pakarinen Emma Palermaa Emma Palermaa Substitute (not traveling): Substitute (not traveling): Jenni Heino Jenni Heino Jenni Heino Men’s National Team Finland’s men’s squad will feature six bowlers: Joonas JähiTomas KäyhköJarno LahtiNiko OksanenJuhani TonteriLuukas Väänänen Joonas Jähi Joonas Jähi Tomas Käyhkö Tomas Käyhkö Jarno Lahti Jarno Lahti Niko Oksanen Niko Oksanen Juhani Tonteri Juhani Tonteri Luukas Väänänen Luukas Väänänen Substitute (not traveling): Substitute (not traveling): Juho Rissanen Juho Rissanen Juho Rissanen The World Championships are one of the most prestigious events in international bowling, bringing together top teams from across the globe. 32 nations qualified for the IBF World Championships 2025.

Colombia’s Clara Guerrero and the United States’ AJ Johnson were the most recent athletes to win gold in bowling at the Pan American Games in 2023. It now appears they may be the last. Bowling has officially been left off the list of sports for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. The news came on Thursday following an announcement from Panam Sports, confirming the 36 disciplines approved for the upcoming edition of the Games. In the most recent edition of the Games in Santiago, Chile in 2023, bowling was still part of the official program, making up one of the 39 included sports. Bowling had been part of the Pan American Games since 1991. The exclusion comes despite Peru having a strong bowling infrastructure. The country hosted bowling at the 2019 Pan American Games with great success, using its well-equipped facility at the Villa Deportiva Nacional (VIDENA) sports complex. With proven venues already in place, it is unlikely that shortage of bowling venues in the area played a role in this decision. Instead, the move seems to reflect a broader trend away from inclusion of bowling in major multi-sport events. Just two years ago, tenpin bowling was also excluded from the program of the 2025 World Games. Combined with the recent Pan American news, the message is clear: hopes for bowling's Olympic inclusion are fading. excluded from the program of the 2025 World Games excluded from the program of the 2025 World Games The effects of this decision will likely ripple across bowling federations in the Americas. The Pan American Games is one of the few events where only the top athletes from each country are selected, often leading to significant government support and performance-based funding, as in many countries, medaling at the Pan Am Games means athlete stipends. Without this platform, national bowling teams across the American continent face potential cuts to funding, reduced athlete support, and a weakened development pipeline. This also raises concerns that bowling could be excluded from other multi-sport events in the region, such as the Central American Games, South American Games, or and Caribbean Games. The Lima 2027 Pan American Games will feature 36 sports, including new additions like cricket. The event is scheduled to take place from July 16 to August 1, 2027, and will host over 7,000 athletes from 41 countries. But for the bowling community, there will be no lanes, no pins, and no medals to chase.

The World Bowling League (WBL) is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2026 with six international franchises. The information was shared by League Sports Co (LTC) founder and CEO Adi K Mishra in an interview with Reuters. interview with interview with Reuters Reuters Reuters According to the LTC founder, backed by cricketer Virat Kohli and baseball player Mookie Betts, the WBL aims to transform bowling into a modern, made-for-TV competition. Mishra also criticized the way the sport has been managed in recent decades. "It's an incredible sport which just hasn't been structured correctly for the past 50-60 years and everyone just dismisses it as a recreational activity," Mishra told Reuters. Reuters According to Mishra, the first season will feature six teams, each made up of four bowlers—two men and two women. The first two franchises are already known: one owned by Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts, and the other backed by Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli. Los Angeles Dodgers star was the first to purchase a franchise, and Kohli joined the project as a strategic investor last month.In his conversation with Reuters, Mishra said that while the complete format has yet to be revealed, the main competition will involve professional bowlers. Celebrities will take part in separate entertainment-focused events, and teams will accumulate points throughout the season.Mishra also told Reuters that franchise negotiations are underway in countries including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and India. The WBL plans to stage its matches in visually striking venues such as Hudson Yards in New York, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, and various landmark locations in Dubai and India. was the first to purchase a franchise was the first to purchase a franchise Reuters Reuters BowlingLife reminds readers that on October 6, 2023—just one day before the IBF Congress and presidential election—the International Bowling Federation announced a landmark agreement with League Sports Co to launch the World Bowling League. We covered the initial announcement, including LTC’s background and the key terms of the agreement with the IBF, in an article published in October 2023. We covered the initial announcement, including LTC’s background and the key terms of the agreement with the IBF, in an article published in October 2023 We covered the initial announcement, including LTC’s background and the key terms of the agreement with the IBF, in an article published in October 2023

Following the news that bowling has been excluded from the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, Canadian national team member François Lavoie has stepped forward with a public statement urging action. has been excluded from the 2027 Pan American Games has been excluded from the 2027 Pan American Games In an open letter, Lavoie addresses both the bowling community and PanAm Sports, expressing deep concern over the sport’s removal from the official program for the first time since its Pan Am debut in 1991. He describes the exclusion as a major blow—not only to current and aspiring athletes—but also to the continued growth and international recognition of the sport. In an open letter In an open letter Lavoie encourages athletes, federations, and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to communicate with PanAm Sports and show their support for bowling’s return. He also outlines the severe impact this exclusion could have on national bowling programs across the Americas. Bowling’s participation in the Pan Am Games has granted it formal recognition from 24 National Olympic Committees in the region. This status often unlocks athlete support, funding, and national team development pathways. Losing that recognition could mean reduced financial support, fewer international opportunities, and a weakened pipeline for future talent. Here is François Lavoie’s full, unedited open letter: Dear friends, By now, many of you have heard the news that bowling has been left out from the initial list of 36 sports to be included in the 2027 Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. This news is a devastating blow for our sport, not only for those of us who aim to represent our countries and compete in these Games, but in a broader sense, for the future of international competition and the development of the sport of bowling. Bowling has been a part of every Pan Am Games since it was introduced in 1991 in Havana, Cuba. Bowling is also part of the Central American Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, and the South American Games. Because of our sport’s participation in these Games, bowling is officially recognized by 24 National Olympic Committees in the Pan Am Zone. This recognition means that, to varying degrees, those national bowling federations and associations receive support from their NOCs for training, preparation and participation in international championships and Games. Some countries’ NOCs and governments even award scholarships and/or salaries to their national team members. Because most NOCs base their support level on the Olympic cycle, the exclusion of bowling from the 2027 Pan Am Games could have a trickle down effect that would severely jeopardize future funding, and ultimately, the ability for the sport of bowling to continue to develop. In preparation for the 2019 Pan Am Games, Lima built a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in their Villa Deportiva Nacional. It is the best bowling facility in all of Latin America and has hosted several successful championships since its opening. The exclusion news was particularly shocking to hear, since in this case, the infrastructure is already in place, and little to no investment is needed to improve the facility. Bowling in the Pan Am Games fields two men and two women per participating country and awards medals in singles and doubles. It is one of the most cost-friendly sports to the Pan Am Games. With some understanding that the decision is not final, I call on all athletes to communicate with their local federations. I urge you to emphasize the importance of this decision. With enough support from enough national federations and NOCs, maybe we can get Pan Am Sports to reconsider their decision and continue bowling’s long history in the Pan Am Games. Sincerely, François Lavoie Team Canada Member IBF Athlete Representative Dear friends, By now, many of you have heard the news that bowling has been left out from the initial list of 36 sports to be included in the 2027 Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. This news is a devastating blow for our sport, not only for those of us who aim to represent our countries and compete in these Games, but in a broader sense, for the future of international competition and the development of the sport of bowling. Bowling has been a part of every Pan Am Games since it was introduced in 1991 in Havana, Cuba. Bowling is also part of the Central American Games, the Central American and Caribbean Games, and the South American Games. Because of our sport’s participation in these Games, bowling is officially recognized by 24 National Olympic Committees in the Pan Am Zone. This recognition means that, to varying degrees, those national bowling federations and associations receive support from their NOCs for training, preparation and participation in international championships and Games. Some countries’ NOCs and governments even award scholarships and/or salaries to their national team members. Because most NOCs base their support level on the Olympic cycle, the exclusion of bowling from the 2027 Pan Am Games could have a trickle down effect that would severely jeopardize future funding, and ultimately, the ability for the sport of bowling to continue to develop. In preparation for the 2019 Pan Am Games, Lima built a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in their Villa Deportiva Nacional. It is the best bowling facility in all of Latin America and has hosted several successful championships since its opening. The exclusion news was particularly shocking to hear, since in this case, the infrastructure is already in place, and little to no investment is needed to improve the facility. Bowling in the Pan Am Games fields two men and two women per participating country and awards medals in singles and doubles. It is one of the most cost-friendly sports to the Pan Am Games. With some understanding that the decision is not final, I call on all athletes to communicate with their local federations. I urge you to emphasize the importance of this decision. With enough support from enough national federations and NOCs, maybe we can get Pan Am Sports to reconsider their decision and continue bowling’s long history in the Pan Am Games. Sincerely, François Lavoie Team Canada Member IBF Athlete Representative

The IBF Youth World Cup 2025 came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday at Olympia Bowling in Helsingborg, where Sweden’s Robin Ilhammar and Australia’s Samantha Clifton claimed the gold medals in the male and female divisions. For Robin Ilhammar, it was a storybook finish on home soil. The 21-year-old Swede entered the finals as the fourth seed after match play but quickly proved unstoppable in the knockout rounds. He opened the quarterfinals with a clean 2–0 sweep over Denmark’s Nicolas Carter, then met Finland’s Luukas Väänänen in the semifinals—a rematch of their Masters clash at the recent European Men’s Championships. Just like in that match, Ilhammar came out on top in two straight games. Masters clash at the recent European Men’s Championships Masters clash at the recent European Men’s Championships In the championship match, Ilhammar faced Ondrej Prekop of the Czech Republic, who had just edged out Singapore’s Brian Ngoi in a tough 2–1 semifinal. But the final was all Ilhammar. He exploded out of the gates with a 276–205 win in Game 1, then followed it up with a near-perfect 295–161 in Game 2. The Swedish star flirted with a perfect game—mirroring his 300 in last year’s final—but left a few pins standing in the end. Still, with a 285.5 average across the final match, he defended his 2024 Youth World Cup title in spectacular fashion and capped off his junior career with a golden finish. 2024 Youth World Cup 2024 Youth World Cup In the female division, it was Samantha Clifton of Australia who rose to the top. After navigating a tough semifinal against Denmark’s Karen K. Nielsen, Clifton locked in during the title match against Costa Rica’s Elena Weinstok. She stayed calm and consistent, taking both games in the final to win the series 2–0 and bring the trophy back Down Under. Nielsen, who had bowled well throughout the week, secured bronze with a straight-games win over Singapore’s Shi En Lim in the third-place match.

The final day of qualifying at the IBF Youth World Cup 2025 wrapped up on Thursday in Helsingborg, with 18 games now complete and the top 16 bowlers in each division advancing to Stage 2. IBF Youth World Cup 2025 Slovakia’s Šimon Hrušovský maintained his lead in the male division, finishing qualifying with a total of 4251. Not far behind, Mathias Otting of Norway posted 4149 to secure second, followed by a big leap from Romania’s Mate Balazs-Becsi, who jumped from 11th into third with 4041. Australia’s Blake Walsh (4026) and Denmark’s Nicolas Carter (4020) completed the top five. Slovakia’s Šimon Hrušovský Mathias Otting of Norway Romania’s Mate Balazs-Becsi Blake Walsh Nicolas Carter Ireland’s Taylor Williams clinched the final spot in 16th with 3854 — just 13 pins ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Abdulmajeed Al-Aslani. Ireland’s Taylor Williams Over in the female division, Elena Weinstok of Costa Rica continued her outstanding run and held onto the lead with a total of 3881. She’ll enter match play as the top seed. Karen Nielsen of Denmark stayed close with 3787, while Germany’s Fiona Lindemann moved into third with 3743 after a solid Day 3 performance. Norway’s Jenny Mathiesen and Australia’s Samantha Clifton finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Ivanna Villalobos of Mexico locked down the last qualifying spot with 3388 — just 10 pins ahead of Guatemala’s Sofia Romero. The day also saw the first two perfect games of the tournament. Estonia’s Siim Henrik Saar fired a 300 in the male field, and Elena Weinstok matched him with a flawless 300 of her own in the female competition. With two 300s in one day and plenty of close races around the cut line, Day 3 brought serious heat to Olympia Bowling. On Friday, the top 16 in each division will begin Stage 2 with the first eight of 15 round robin matches. Wins earn 30 bonus pins, while a draw nets 15. The final seven matches will take place Saturday, followed by the top 8 bracket and finals. Stay with BowlingLife for full coverage as the IBF Youth World Cup 2025 heats up in Helsingborg. IBF Youth World Cup 2025 IBF Youth World Cup 2025 IBF Youth World Cup 2025 IBF Youth World Cup 2025 Schedule Friday, June 20 – Stage 2 09:00–11:30: Women Top 16 – Games 1–812:30–15:00: Men Top 16 – Games 1–8 09:00–11:30: Women Top 16 – Games 1–8 09:00–11:30: 12:30–15:00: Men Top 16 – Games 1–8 12:30–15:00: Saturday, June 21 – Finals Day 09:00–10:30: Women Top 16 – Games 9–1511:30–13:00: Men Top 16 – Games 9–1513:45–14:30: Stage 3 – Top 8 (Men & Women)15:00–18:00:18:00: Medal Ceremony & Victory Banquet 09:00–10:30: Women Top 16 – Games 9–15 09:00–10:30: 11:30–13:00: Men Top 16 – Games 9–15 11:30–13:00: 13:45–14:30: Stage 3 – Top 8 (Men & Women) 13:45–14:30: 15:00–18:00: 15:00–18:00: 18:00: Medal Ceremony & Victory Banquet 18:00:

The Youth World Cup continued in Helsingborg on Wednesday, as both the men and women bowlers returned to the lanes for their second six-game qualifying block. With 12 games now in the books, the standings are taking shape — and so are the front-runners for Friday’s second stage. In the mens' division, Šimon Hrušovský of Slovakia made a big move to the top after delivering a massive Day 2 block. His 2819 total puts him comfortably in first. Norway’s Mathias Otting remained steady and sits second with 2716, while Denmark’s early leader Nicolas Carter slipped slightly to third with 2709 — still right in the hunt. Australia’s Blake Walsh surged into fourth with a 2682, and Sweden’s own Robin Ilhammar continued his good form with 2674, giving the home fans more to cheer about. In the womens’ field, Elena Weinstok of Costa Rica stayed in control. Her 2509 total through 12 games keeps her just ahead of Denmark’s Karen Nielsen, who is close behind at 2506. Norway’s Jenny Mathiesen held steady in third with 2496, while Germany’s Fiona Lindemann moved into fourth with 2476. Colombia’s Sara Duque, the day one runner-up, rounds out the top five with 2458. The race to the top 16 remains tight on both sides, with only one qualifying block left to bowl. The final six games of Stage 1 will be played on Thursday — the boys take the lanes at 09:00 local time, followed by the girls at 13:30. At the end of the day, the top 16 in each division will advance to Friday’s Stage 2, where round robin match play begins. Stay with BowlingLife for full coverage as the IBF Youth World Cup 2025 heats up in Helsingborg. IBF Youth World Cup 2025 IBF Youth World Cup 2025 IBF Youth World Cup 2025 IBF Youth World Cup 2025 Schedule Thursday, June 19 09:00–12:00: Men (Games 13–18)13:30–16:30: Women (Games 13–18) 09:00–12:00: Men (Games 13–18) 09:00–12:00: 13:30–16:30: Women (Games 13–18) 13:30–16:30: Friday, June 20 – Stage 2 09:00–11:30: Women Top 16 – Games 1–812:30–15:00: Men Top 16 – Games 1–8 09:00–11:30: Women Top 16 – Games 1–8 09:00–11:30: 12:30–15:00: Men Top 16 – Games 1–8 12:30–15:00: Saturday, June 21 – Finals Day 09:00–10:30: Women Top 16 – Games 9–1511:30–13:00: Men Top 16 – Games 9–1513:45–14:30: Stage 3 – Top 8 (Men & Women)15:00–18:00:18:00: Medal Ceremony & Victory Banquet 09:00–10:30: Women Top 16 – Games 9–15 09:00–10:30: 11:30–13:00: Men Top 16 – Games 9–15 11:30–13:00: 13:45–14:30: Stage 3 – Top 8 (Men & Women) 13:45–14:30: 15:00–18:00: 15:00–18:00: 18:00: Medal Ceremony & Victory Banquet 18:00: