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Medalists from the Doubles events at the 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Malaysia.

Singapore and Malaysia Wins Doubles at 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships

Today, the 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships continued in Petaling Jaya with the Doubles events.Singapore secured their third gold medal in the girls’ division, after winning two golds in Singles yeasterday, while host nation Malaysia celebrated their first gold in the boys’ division. In the girls’ Doubles event, Singapore’s Lim Shi En and Nur Irdina Binte Hazly took control after the second game and never looked back. They posted 2637 to win comfortably and deliver another gold for Singapore. Korea’s Paek Ye Dam and Jo Yoon Seo finished second with 2473, while Japan’s Kiri Watanabe and Mao Kondoh claimed the bronze medal with 2456. Malaysia ended fourth with 2431. winning two golds in Singles yeasterday
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Singapore’s Aiman Lim and Hazel Tan celebrating Singles gold at the 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships.

Singapore Wins Singles Gold at 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships

Singapore swept the Singles events at the 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin BowlingChampionships in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Aiman Raedyn Lim Jen wonthe Boys’ Singles title while Hazel Tan Wei Ning took the Girls’ Singlescrown. In the boys’ division, Korea’s Kim Woo Jin started strongly with games of 259,279, and 299 to build a big lead. But a low fourth game of 162 opened the doorfor his rivals.Korea’s Bae Su Hyeon stayed close and Qatar’sTalal Al Marri also moved up with strong finishes. In the last game,Singapore’s Lim rolled 249 to seal the gold with 1436. Bae finished secondwith 1422, and Al Marri secured bronze with 1400. The tournament will run from August 20 to 27, 2025, with 56 boys, 32 girls,and 38 team officials taking part from fourteen countries.
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Bowlers at Sunway Megalanes during the 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Malaysia.

22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships Begin in Malaysia

The 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships was officially declared openearlier today during the opening ceremony at Sunway Megalanes in PetalingJaya, Malaysia. The tournament will run from August 20 to 27,2025, with 56 boys, 32 girls, and 38 team officials taking part from fourteencountries. Eight countries have entered full teams of four boys and four girls. These areJapan, Korea, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan.Six other countries – Bahrain, Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,Thailand, and Vietnam - will compete with boys’ teams only. The championships will open with the Singles event on August 22. The Doublescompetition follows on August 23, while the Team events will be staged overtwo blocks on August 24 and 25. After eighteen qualifying games,the top 16 boys and top 16 girls in the All-Event standings will qualify forthe Masters finals, scheduled for August 26 and 27. The Masters finals will conclude with a Stepladder Shootout. The top threeboys and the top three girls from the Masters will compete for thechampionship titles. Malaysia has a strong tradition of hosting this event. The country firststaged the Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in 1996 at GentingHighlands, and again in 2019 in Kuching, Sarawak. The 2025 edition will be thethird time Malaysia welcomes the region’s top youth bowlers. Video Streaming Scores
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Panam Sports Organization logo above the Olympic rings, displayed outdoors against a cloudy sky.

Bowling Reinstated for 2027 Pan American Games

Bowling will officially be part of the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. The news follows a wave of concern from athletes, federations, and national committees after the sport was initially excluded from the Pan American Games earlier this year. excluded from the Pan American Games earlier this year The decision to reinstate bowling was confirmed during the Panam Sports General Assembly held in Asuncion, Paraguay. Bowling will join racquetball as the two final additions to the competition program, bringing the total number of sports at Lima 2027 to 38. This is a reversal of the original decision announced in June, when Panam Sports named only 36 sports for the upcoming Games, leaving out bowling for the first time since its official debut at Havana 1991. In response to the exclusion, Canadian national team member François Lavoie released an open letter on June 22, urging the bowling community to act. He emphasized the impact of the removal, particularly the loss of recognition from National Olympic Committees (NOCs), which could affect funding, athlete development, and international participation across the Americas. released an open letter Lavoie’s statement highlighted how bowling’s presence in events like the Pan American Games secures government support in many countries. Without that platform, he warned, bowling risked losing vital resources that fuel national teams and youth pipelines. The campaign gained traction. According to the Panam Sports President Neven Ilic, many NOCs reached out to Panam Sports, which ultimately reconsidered its stance. The organization acknowledged the value that bowling brings to the continent and approved its inclusion in the Lima 2027 sports program. Lima previously hosted bowling during the 2019 Games, using a modern facility at the Villa Deportiva Nacional (VIDENA). That venue is expected to return in 2027, requiring no major updates.
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USBC logo over ball racks filled with purple urethane bowling balls at a bowling tournament.

USBC Urethane Survey Results: Majority Support Change

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.
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Urethane bowling ball with a text saying "urethane is getting banned?".

[VIDEO] USBC Banning Urethane? What’s Really Going On | BowlingLife Podcast

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!
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Jason Belmonte bowling during a PBA Tour event, reacting to USBC urethane ban talks

Belmonte on USBC Urethane Ban: "Look At The Real Issue"

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!"
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USBC logo over ball racks filled with purple urethane bowling balls at a bowling tournament.

USBC In Advanced Talks to Ban Urethane Bowling Balls

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.
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Winners of the 49th MWA-Thailand International Open receive trophies in Bangkok

Malaysia's and Singapore's Bowlers Win Titles at MWA-Thailand Open

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).
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Finland's Women's national bowling team member Emma Palermaa during EYC2025

Finland Confirms National Teams for IBF World Championships 2025 in Hong Kong

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.
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Bowling action at previous Pan American Games before exclusion from 2027 program

[BREAKING] Pan American Games Drops Bowling for 2027 in Peru

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.
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World Bowling League

World Bowling League to Launch in Early 2026 With Six Franchises

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
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