Jord van Weeren left Ankara with two gold medals and a reason to look forwardto his own bed. Yet after a week in which he and Nicole Sanders won everytitle available at the European Championship of Champions, going home stillfelt a little sad. “Leaving a fun event always feels sad,” he told BowlingLife's Erikas Jansonas."It was a tough week, conditions were not easy and it has been a true grindthroughout the entire week. In that part I am happy to sleep in my own bedagain. But the feeling I have now is mostly proud." Indeed, the Netherlands had plenty be proud of. Van Weeren and Sanders won mixeddoubles gold together before taking the men's and women's individual titles onSaturday. Three Dutch titles might suggest a comfortable week in Turkey. But both of them had to work their way through 24 qualifying games, the top-12 stage, the semifinals and the finals before claiming gold. Van Weeren reached the semifinals in fourth place, just 32 pins ahead ofIreland's Christopher Sloan. Against qualifying leader Raymond Teece, he lostthe opening game before winning the next two to reach the final. Then he had to do it again. Norway's Mathias Danielsen Otting took the firstgame of the title match, 236–205. Van Weeren answered with 194–166 and 217–177to become champion. Sanders beat Greece's Alexandra Giannadaki in the women's final to completetheDutch sweep of the ECC titles. Dutch sweep of the ECC titles “Offcourse it was a tough week, conditions were not easy and it has been atrue grind throughout the entire week,” Van Weeren said. "I am proud of what we accomplished as a team. Nicole, along with our coach Elco Gorter and our supporters, made a huge contribution to our results this week." Strong Team Earlier in the championship, van Weeren and Nicole Sanders won the mixed doubles title for the Netherlands. Their success was not just about scoring. It also showed how naturally the partnership worked.“I think that Nicole and I have a lot of faith in each other. We know what we are both capable of on the lanes. This trust, especially when we were bowling together during the Mixed Doubles event, gave each other some room to breathe during tougher moments on the lanes. We were really capable of stepping up when the other was struggling and we did that back and fourth. With our experience and shot making it all just worked out," Van Weeren said. "But it wasn’t just Nicole and me, Elco Gorter also played a crucial role in achieving this result. His extensive knowledge and vision of the game have been of immense value to our team," he added. Asked what the party looked like after winning all gold, Van Weeren said the celebration matched the scale of the achievement - maybe even a little too well. “The Dutch Party? Haha, we had a great time during a great bankuette, lets saythe next morning I would not have been able to perform on the same level onthe lanes as the mornings before,” he laughed. Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "NewsArticle","headline": "Three Titles, Two Comebacks and One Dutch Party: Jord van Weeren on ECC Gold","description": "Jord van Weeren reflects on the Netherlands’ three ECC 2026 titles, his partnership with Nicole Sanders, coach Elco Gorter and the celebrations in Ankara.","inLanguage": "en","articleSection": "Interviews","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"about": [{"@type": "Person","name": "Jord van Weeren"},{"@type": "Person","name": "Nicole Sanders"}]}

A young tennis talent was climbing her way towards Greece’s elite, earning aplace among the country’s top 12 under-16 players. Her future in tennis seemedas bright as the summer sun in Athens. Few would have imagined, least of all Alexandra Giannadaki herself, that shewould soon be making her name in a completely different sport: bowling. Earlier this year, Alexandra won the Greek national title, and on Saturday,October 3, the 19-year-old took silver in the women’s competition at theEuropean Championship of Champions in Ankara. “Bowling unexpectedly came into my life and completely swept me away,”Alexandra Giannadaki told BowlingLife’s Erikas Jansonas. “I was never supposedto become a bowler — I was ‘born’ a tennis player.” The Week That Changed Her Game During her first year, Alexandra bowled one-handed and began discovering howmuch happened behind a single shot: the oil on the lane, the movement of theball, the equipment and the decisions that connected them. There was somethingfamiliar in all that detail. It reminded her of tennis. “The more I learned, the more I wanted to understand.” One summer, Giannadaki decided to see what bowling with two hands felt like.She gave herself a week to try it. It turned out to be what she describes asthe best decision she has ever made. Her progress afterwards came faster than she had imagined. Now, looking backon a journey that has brought her a national title and a place in a Europeanfinal, she still finds it difficult to take in. “Looking back, it is still quite unreal to think that I started bowling almostunexpectedly and that it eventually led me to representing Greece andcompeting for a European title.” Reaching the ECC already meant something to her. Standing on the podium madethe experience even more rewarding. “Right now, it feels almost unreal. When I think about the countless hours Ihave spent practising, the dedication I have given to the sport, and thesacrifices I have had to make along the way, it is incredibly rewarding to seeall of that effort come back to me in such a meaningful way.” Finding Answers on the Lanes In Ankara, the details that had first drawn her into bowling became central toher success. “By Saturday, I felt much more confident and composed, and I was able tocommit to every shot with a clear mind and trust in the decisions I wasmaking.” She also credited the connection she has with her coach. “I also cannot overlook the importance of communication and understandingbetween a player and their coach. In our case, my coach, Aris Vlachakis, and Iwere very much on the same page throughout the championship, and that trustand communication definitely contributed to the result,” she said. Walks Away As A Winner Alexandra led the women’s standings into the semifinals with 6,546 pins over32 games, 219 pins clear of Ireland’s Hannah Masterson. Giannadaki then beatSweden’s Hanna Engberg in two games, 201–179 and 222–208, to reach the finalagainst Nicole Sanders of the Netherlands. The title was within reach. Sanders, however, won 204–176 and 223–192 to takegold for the Netherlands. Giannadaki did not feel that her confidence had deserted her in the final. Sheexplained that the difference came down to execution and finding the rightball reaction at the right moments. The adjustments she and her coach made didnot quite produce what they needed. “I was very close to putting everything together, but I did not quite manageto take that final step when it mattered most.” While there was disappointment in coming so close, it did not undo the rest ofthe week. She believes she leaves Ankara a better player than the one whoarrived. “Even though I lost the final, I am still walking away feeling like I won.” Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. 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Pontus Andersson paced nervously behind the lanes at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centerin Jakarta as Hong Kong’s young bowlers chased medals at the 25th Asian Junior Bowling Championships. Only a few months ago, Andersson had been the one with a ball in his hands anda medal resting directly on his own shots.Now, on the other side of the world,he could only watch and guide the bowlers representing his new home. The 30-year-old Swedeannounced in February that he was stepping away from competitive bowlingafter 13 years at international level. announced in February that he was stepping away from competitive bowling Now, with his bowling shoes left hanging somewhere back in Sweden, Andersson has started a new chapter on the other side of the world - in Hong Kong - where he works as an assistant coach with the senior national team and leads youth development. In the latest BowlingLife interview, Erikas Jansonas spoke with Pontus Andersson about the late change of destination, settling into a new culture, and learning to chase medals from behind the lanes. Qatar Became Hong Kong When Andersson first revealed his decision to stop competing, the plan was to move to Doha and work with the Qatar youth team. And while that deal didn't work out, the Hong Kong opportunity came together quickly. The agreement was completedduring the final week of May, leaving little time between the decision and themove. “It all was finished about the last week of May.So I kinda moved straight away when everything was done,” he said. Building Better Bowlers Andersson’s new role has two parts. He supports head coach Francois Louw withHong Kong’s senior athletes, but his main responsibility is the development ofa group of elite youth bowlers. “The main thing with youth development is to make the youths better bowlers.How we do it is our challenge,” he said. “We do have great resources.” Those resources are provided through the Hong Kong Sports Institute and theHong Kong, China Tenpin Bowling Congress. Andersson is still learning the systemand the athletes inside it, but the first major championship of his new careerhas already brought results. Dylan Lam Nok Him won silver in the boys’ singles. One day later, Tavia Wong Tsz Ching and Law Wai Ching added anothersilver for Hong Kong in the girls’ doubles. A New Home and Much Lighter Luggage More than two months after the move, Andersson says his belongings are unpackedand his daily routines are taking shape. Even so, the reality of living so farfrom Sweden still catches him by surprise. “It’s definitely a different feeling, and I constantly have to remind myselfthat I don’t live in Sweden anymore,” he said. “But I really enjoy my time hereso far, and it’s such an honor coaching the Hong Kong bowling team.” The amount of space and the way people interact were among the changes he firstnoticed. Andersson described adjusting to the culture as a learning experience,but said his new team and colleagues have made a strong first impression. The weather may be the clearest difference of all. That has not been a problemfor the Swede, who says he enjoys the heat. Neither has leaving behind one ofthe less glamorous parts of life as an international bowler. “Very happy I don’t have to carry all the heavy bags anymore!” Andersson joked. Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now

For many people, August is a time to slow down, take a holiday and to just forget about work - and, perhaps, bowling. But for Martin Larsen and the team behindthe Storm Lucky Larsen Masters, the PBA Tour’s only 2026 stop outside theU.S., it means the exact opposite. Storm Lucky Larsen Masters The PBA Tour will return to Olympia Bowling in Helsingborg, Sweden, fromAugust 21-31, bringing many of the best players from around the globe togetherfor the biggest bowling event on this side of the Atlantic. This year’s Storm Lucky Larsen Masters will feature the largest prize fund intournament history. Almost $150,000 will be awarded, with nearly $20,000reserved for the champion. The field is just as impressive - EJ Tackett, Kyle Troup, PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta and defending champion Sean Rash - to namejust a few. PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta defending champion Sean Rash With a big pile of cash and some of the brightest names headingto Swedish Riviera, it is no wonder that most qualifying squads are already fullor have only a few places remaining. Some waiting lists have grown to morethan 60 players. That level of interest also brings plenty of responsibility. Larsen and histeam must manage schedules, players, sponsors, side events and countlesssmaller details needed to turn a bowling tournament into a show worth the PBA Tour stop name. That's why while many people spend August enjoying time with their loved ones, it is thebusiest part of the year for the SLLM crew. The workload requires plenty oftime and sacrifice behind the scenes, but the excitement still outweighs thepressure - especially with this year’s event expected to build momentum aheadof the tournament’s tenth anniversary in 2027. BowlingLife’s Erikas Jansonas spoke with Martin Larsen about his lighter PBA Tourseason, the rise of bowling’s young stars, the upcoming PBA USA vs. PBA World match and the bold decision to move the SLLM finals to Monday evening.He also offered an early clue about what this year’s oil pattern mightlook like. Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026 Don't miss your chance to compete in one of Europe's most prestigious events. Spots are almost fully booked, so go ahead and secure yours today! Register Now Less Bowling, but Still Plenty of Bowling... Larsen had already planned to spend less time competing on the PBA Tour this year than ever before in his career. He bowled at the season-opening PBA Players Championship, but even that event did not end the way he had hoped. After just 12 games, the pain in his right elbow made it clear that he needed to step away from bowling - unfortunately, for the rest of the season. Part of him still misses the daily routine of practice and competing againstthe best players in the world. However, even away from the lanes, bowlingremains a major part of his life. A new position has kept boling at the center of his workinglife, but allowed him to enjoy more time with his family. “I absolutely miss being on the lanes,” Larsen said. “Even if I had beenhealthy, I hadn’t planned to bowl as much as I had in previous years. With my new position at Bowltech, I’m getting my daily dose of bowling. Italso takes me on some trips, so the amount of time I spend at home hasn’tchanged that much, but I really enjoy being home with the family.” new position at Bowltech Now, with the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters approaching, his full focus is on preparing the stage where many of the world’sbest will soon compete. And this year, that stage will be bigger than ever. “This time of the year is always really exciting for us SLLM organizers,”Larsen said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun.” A Record Prize Fund and Another World-Class Field Following a successful 2025 edition, the SLLM organizers were able to raisethe prize fund to its highest level in tournament history. However, there willbe plenty more on offer in Helsingborg than the main competition and money alone. The traditional golf event will return, while young players will have theirown U21 squad and seminar. The Wednesday night Storm Party will also remainpart of the schedule. Another special event will see PBA USA face PBA World in a match played underthe Swedish league format. Spectators can watch the action live at OlympiaBowling, while the match will also be streamed on the SLLM YouTube channelwith the support of JoPo, the tournament’s new streaming sponsor. Both teams will be packed with stars, including several players who are still in the running for the PBA Player of the Year award.Representing PBA USA will be Ryan Barnes, Andrew Anderson, Kyle Troup, SeanRash, EJ Tackett, A.J. Johnson, Brandon Bonta and Eric Jones.PBA World will feature Nora Johansson, Jesper Svensson, Santtu Tahvanainen, Zach Wilkins, Thomas Larsen, Richard Teece, Tomas Käyhkö and François Lavoie. Both teams will be packed with stars, including several players who are still in the running for the PBA Player of the Year award. PBA Player of the Year Representing PBA USA will be Ryan Barnes, Andrew Anderson, Kyle Troup, SeanRash, EJ Tackett, A.J. Johnson, Brandon Bonta and Eric Jones. PBA World will feature Nora Johansson, Jesper Svensson, Santtu Tahvanainen, Zach Wilkins, Thomas Larsen, Richard Teece, Tomas Käyhkö and François Lavoie. “This year’s edition will be as strong, if not even stronger, than before,”Larsen said. Young Guns Are No Longer Waiting for Their Turn One of the defining stories of this PBA Tour season has been the success ofits younger players. Brandon Bonta set the tone early before winning the PBA Players Championship,while Spencer Robarge, Austin Grammar and Alex Horton have also shown that thenew generation is already capable of beating the tour’s most experiencednames. Spencer Robarge Austin Grammar Alex Horton The SLLM field could be a perfect seedbed for that trend. Alongside Bonta,Ryan Barnes, Eric Jones and other U.S. rising stars, Helsingborgwill welcome many of Europe’s leading youth bowlers who are as equally talented. For Larsen, the rise of the new generation worldwide is partly connected to how themodern game is being played. “I think there are multiple reasons [why this season has been a breakthroughyear for so many young players], but power is absolutely one of them,” Larsensaid. “The younger players have developed a more aggressive style that seemsto work well in today’s playing environment. “They’ve almost been able to take knowledge about lanes, patterns and ballsout of play. I also think the way Brandon Bonta started this season led theway, with multiple young guns feeling that they have a chance to beat the moreexperienced players.” Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now SLLM Turns Its Attention to Type 1 Diabetes The charitable work surrounding the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters has become animportant part of the event. Last year, the tournament helped raise awareness and funds in the fightagainst cancer. In 2026, the SLLM will work with Barndiabetesfonden to supportthe fight against childhood type 1 diabetes. Barndiabetesfonden The decision was shaped by several people close to the tournament, includingmembers of Larsen’s own family. “This year, we’re running a charity together with Barndiabetesfonden, raisingmoney to fight childhood diabetes,” Larsen said. “There are multiple reasons for this. One is our collaboration with Scandic Oceanhamnen. Thomas, the hotel director, has a daughter with type 1 diabetes.My nephew has type 1, and many other bowlers have it as well. We felt it wastime to bring it to the surface and try to make a small difference this year.” Storm Lucky Larsen Masters 2026 Secure your spot today! Register Now Why the SLLM Final Is Moving to Monday Night One of the biggest changes in 2026 will, however, come at the very end of the tournament. In previous editions, the champion was decided on Sunday. This year, Sunday’scompetition will reduce the field to four players, but the semifinals andtitle match will not take place until Monday evening. According to Larsen, the Sunday schedule had become too crowded. Separatingthe final four from the earlier rounds will give the organizers more time to prepare the Olympia Bowling and produce the kind of show the tournament deserves. It also means the players will have time to rest and recharge for the biggest battles, while the organizers will have more room to promote the finalists and the show. “We’ve been debating the pros and cons of moving squads or final steps around.This year, we felt it was time to try pushing the top four to Monday evening. That will give us time to promote the players and the show, Martin said. "Hopefully, theproduction will get better as well. The players will now have time to restinstead of being on the lanes all day before the show. They can come in freshand pumped up. I’m sure that counts for the crowd as well. I’m looking forward to the bestSLLM final ever.” Oil Pattern Spoiler One important detail remains under wraps. Players will still have to wait forthe complete SLLM oil pattern, but Larsen was willing to offer an early clue. The pattern will measure 38 feet (+/- 1 feet). The exact pattern will be announced on August 20.

If you had a rough night at your local league last weekend and finished with a150, don’t feel too bad. This past Sunday, a score like that would have madeyou a PBA Tour champion. In a match that opened jaws even for seasoned bowling spectators, Marshall Kent outlasted top seed Boog Krol to win the 2026 PBA Indiana Classic. Marshall Kent outlasted top seed Boog Krol to win the 2026 PBA Indiana Classic. The final score of the title match instantly set three new PBA Tour records -lowest title match in PBA Tour history, lowest combined match score onnational TV, and lowest winning score on national TV. Maybe it is not the record you'd ever want to break, but hey - a record is arecord. Historic PBA Records Broken 2026 PBA Indiana Classic Lowest Winning Score New Record 152 Marshall Kent (2026) Previous Record 157 Dennis Jacques (1983) Lowest Combined Score New Record 288 Kent vs. Krol (2026) Previous Record 296 Jacques vs. Staton (1983) What makes this even crazier is that the whole week was a scoring fest. The Mike Aulby 39-foot oil pattern was producing big scores - according to Lanetalk stats, the field averaged 234 throughout the entire week of qualifying. Even during the stepladder finals, before the title match, players were averaging 219, including Timmy Tan’s 172 against Tackett. big scores Lanetalk But when the lights came on for the trophy match, something changed. Marshall Kent walked off the lanes with his eighth career title, but he wasn'texactly celebrating with a backflip. He looked exhausted. Just half an hour earlier, he was carving up the lanes with a 250 game using a Hammer Zero Mercy Solid in thesemifinal against EJ Tackett. Then, suddenly, it was pins who showed zero mercy for Kent. Hammer Zero Mercy Solid "What really threw me for a loop was the second frame when I 2-8-10’d. Then Ichanged balls and washed out, because to me, it felt like those two shotsshould have come off the pattern down lane a lot harder than they did. Ididn’t think they warranted the results they got, and I think because of that,I got subconsciously scared to throw it to the right again," Marshall Kentsaid to the media after the match. "I overcompensated, hit the living crap out of it at the bottom, and made sureit didn’t get there. Then I ended up missing the headpin left twice in a row.I’m not going to lie - in that moment, I felt really kind of down anddefeated." Field AVG. of different stages at PBA INDIANA CLASSIC Qualifiers 234 Stepladder 219 Title Match 144 Luckily for Kent, his opponent, No. 1 seed Boog Krol, was throwing shots justas bad. Maybe even worse. At least the scoreboard above the lanes said so. No. 1 seed Boog Krol, "I think Boog threw the ball way better than he scored, for sure. It justseemed like every little tiny miss was the absolute worst result you couldthink of. It wasn’t like we were getting away with anything," Kent said. With both bowlers failing to pick up spares, not to mention building anystrikes, Kent realized that doing the "right" thing wasn't working. He decidedto throw a Hail Mary, changing his entire strategy on the fly. Luckily, itpaid off. "When that window opened for me, I said, 'I just have to change balls, changelines, just change everything and hope it works out,' because obviously what Iwas doing wasn't working. I just got fortunate enough that I made the rightguess at the right time. Boog made a great shot in the 10th when he needed to,and - kind of the theme of the game - 4-7-9. I don't think he deserved thatresult on that shot. It was about as good as you could execute in the moment,and he got absolutely penalized for it. It was just a strange match ingeneral, but I’m very fortunate to be coming out on top." One of the biggest elephants in the room was Krol’s decision to stick withurethane. In a five-man field, he was the only one to keep Hammer Black Urethane in his hand duringthe finals, and the community was quick to second-guess the move. It’s hard to argue with the logic, though. Krol rode that same urethanestrategy through Friday’s elimination rounds, averaging a massive 255 tosnatch the top seed. snatch the top seed While most players wouldn't dream of touching urethane,Marshall Kent was quick to defend Krol for sticking to his guns. "I wasn’t really sure because, personally, I wouldn’t. But he also took thelead in the last block of qualifying doing that, so I could see it. He has alittle trick he can do better than most people; even when urethane doesn'twork for a lot of guys, he has his own way to make it work late in the block.Honestly, if I was him, I probably would have made the same call. That’s justthe hard part about bowling on TV - you have to make those calls in the momentand commit to them. Sometimes you just make the wrong guesses, and sometimesyou make the right ones. It’s just the nature of the beast."

Last Sunday, Patrick Dombrowski secured the biggest victory of his career in Indianapolis, defeating Anthony Simonsen by just mere two pins to win the 2026U.S. Open and capture his first PBA Tour title. Patrick Dombrowski secured the biggest victory of his career in Indianapolis, defeating Anthony Simonsen The dramatic championship match came down to the final shot, when Simonsenleft a pocket 7–10 split that sealed the win for the 47-year-old formeraccountant. For Dombrowski, the moment marked the culmination of years of persistence onthe PBA Tour. After years competing mostly on regionals and committing to thenational tour full-time only recently, the breakthrough finally arrived onbowling’s biggest stage. In the title match against Simonsen, Dombrowski did everything he could tokeep the pressure on his opponent. Simonsen needed three strikes in the tenthframe to force a roll-off, but after two strikes, the third never came.Speaking with BowlingLife after the win, Dombrowski reflected on the tensefinal moments of the championship match. “I was shocked. I was thinking about my next shot. I thought he was going tostrike out to tie me.” Instead of preparing for a roll-off against one of the sport’s biggest stars,Dombrowski suddenly realized the title was his. Not just the final match, but the entire week turned into an emotional ride.Dombrowski, a big fan of amusement parks and rollercoasters, admitted the U.S.Open felt just as intense. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the week and even on the show.I just tried to shake the no strike frames out of my mind and throw the nextshot better," Dombrowski said. "Wish there was a park close by so I cancelebrate the win but I’ll have to save my celebration for a bit and focus onthis weeks tournament in Illinois.” The stepladder finals were also marked by six pocket 7–10 splits in four games- including the final shot by Simonsen that ultimately decided the title. Whenasked why they were appearing so often, Dombrowski said he also experiencedhis share of tough breaks earlier in the tournament, but fortunately they didnot come in the most decisive moments. “I’m not really sure how there was so many 7-10’s on the show. I left my shareof them this past week. I think I left 10. Three in one game on pattern 3. I’mlucky that I didn’t leave any. It was just my day." The PBA Tour now moves to Decatur, Illinois, where the Groupon PBA IllinoisClassic is already taking place at David Small’s Victory Lanes from March 9–15. OnMonday, Johnny Quach led the PTQ as 19 players advanced into the main field.

Each year, many talented bowlers earn spots on collegiate teams in the UnitedStates. Yet many others with similar potential - or even bigger - never makethat move. That’s unfortunate, because often the issue isn’t skill, but a lackof know-how. Many young players, especially international ones, simply don’t realize thatcollege bowling is an option for them as well, or they don’t know how theprocess works or where to begin. Fortunately, there are examples of those who have made that path successfully. Not that long ago, I watched French U21 national champ Yaari Lapid bowling in BowlingGP tournaments in France. Today, he competes for Wichita State University, one of the mostprestigious collegiate bowling programs and a proven pathway for futureprofessional bowlers. BowlingGP tournaments in France In our latest interview, we talked about the challenging path to joining aU.S. college bowling program, how recruitment works, and what bowlers shouldknow before considering the move. From Europe to Wichita State 19-year-old Yaari Lapid, from Paris, France currently studies InternationalBusiness at Wichita State University, one of the most recognized collegiatebowling programs in the United States. For him, the decision to move acrossthe Atlantic was driven by a long-term dream of becoming a professionalbowler. Wichita State has long been known for developing elite players and nationalchampions like Kris Prather, Packy Hanrahan, Ryan Barnes, or recent PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta, so theopportunity to train alongside top athletes played a major role in Lapid’sdecision. recent PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta “I chose Wichita State because the coaches are absolutely amazing and full ofknowledge. And the players are Junior Team and Team USA members, so they haveexperience and practicing with them makes you learn a lot.” Recruitment Process for International Bowlers For the 19-year-old, the road to Wichita State was a long one, demanding notonly desire, but also determination and patience. Unlike many other NCAA sports, collegiate bowling on the men’s side does notalways follow a traditional recruitment system. Instead, international bowlersoften need to take the initiative themselves. “There is not really a recruitment process on the men’s side because we arenot NCAA, so I contacted the coaches of a few schools almost two years priorto my arrival and I also came on a visit to Wichita State University.” According to Lapid, the process itself is manageable, but choosing the rightschool can be the real challenge. “The process is not particularly difficult but the choice of where to go canbe tricky depending on what you are looking for, whether it’s bowling level,academic level, the amount of scholarship money you can get and even whetheror not you get a guaranteed spot on the team roster.” He also strongly recommends visiting schools before committing, to feel theatmosphere, see the city you will live in, and meet the personnel. “I also recommend visiting some schools here. It will give a better idea ofthe area you are in and allow you to get to know the coaches, players and theenvironment better.” Understanding the Collegiate Bowling Season The collegiate bowling season is divided into two main parts: the regularseason and the postseason championships. During the regular season, programs compete in tournaments throughout theacademic year. Which events a team attends often depends on the school’sschedule and competitive strategy. “There is a certain number of tournaments the school has to bowl in order tobe eligible for Nationals. Some schools decide to bowl more tournaments andsome only do the minimum required,” Lapid said. The postseason begins with regional qualification events known as Sectionals,where teams compete for spots at the national championships. “Post-season is basically Sectionals, regional qualification with four regionswhere the top teams advance. Same for singles.” At the end of the season, the best collegiate teams in the country advance tothe USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, the most prestigious event incollege bowling. The tournament features the top 16 men’s and top 16 women’steams in the nation competing for national titles. Teams reach thechampionships through sectional qualifiers held across four regions of theUnited States. Alongside the team event, USBC also hosts the Intercollegiate SinglesChampionships, which determine the individual national champions. Bowlersqualify through the same sectional events before advancing to the nationalfinals. The competition format itself is also unique compared to most internationaltournaments. “The format for almost all events is 5–6 traditional games of 5-man onSaturday. Then Sunday it’s 16 Baker games, four blocks of four games, on fourdifferent pairs. Then it’s the top 8 that advance to a match play eliminatorbracket, usually best 2 out of 3 or best 3 out of 5, to determine thechampions.” Advice for International Bowlers Considering the Move For young bowlers thinking about pursuing collegiate bowling, Lapid emphasizespreparation and early communication with coaches. “If any young European bowler wants to bowl collegiately in the US, theyshould start contacting coaches a year or two prior to their arrival so thatthey have enough time to discuss everything, mainly because coaches are busyduring the season.” Lapid also recommends researching programs carefully and making sure theenvironment fits both academically and athletically. “They should scout schools where either the bowling team is strong or theacademic program they want is well structured. They should start preparing atleast a year before they come so they can understand the practicing rhythm.” When asked what mistakes future collegiate bowlers should avoid, Lapid pointedout that collegiate athletics in the United States demands a high level ofcommitment. “A mistake to avoid is thinking Americans do not take it seriously. They arevery serious about collegiate sports. Although college can be a funexperience, college sports are very demanding.” At the same time, he encourages future players to consider the lifestyleaspect as well. “Second, not checking whether the place you are moving to has things to offer,like places to go out or spend time with friends. If there is nothing to do,you might get bored unless you truly don’t care about that.”

Just hours after announcing that he will step away from competitive bowling,Pontus Andersson spoke with Erikas Jansonas from BowlingLife about the decision, the timing, andwhy the next chapter felt right. The 30-year-old Swede has competed internationally for nearly 13 years,represented Sweden at both youth and men’s championships, and earned more than20 medals for the national team. But despite still performing at a high level,he felt this was the moment to move on. Time for the Next Chapter Asked what made this the right moment to end his competitive career, Anderssonexplained that the feeling had been building for some time. “Been bowling for such a long time and I feel I’ve been doing that part of mylife. Almost 13 years international competition and seeing a lot of parts ofthe world. It’s time for the next chapter!” The Thrill of Developing Others Even though Andersson is still performing well on the lanes, he shared thatcoaching has slowly become just as meaningful as competing. “I definitely feel I can compete, however the thrill of making other bowlersbetter and seeing how they develop is just as of a big thrill. It’s alwaysbeen in my mind to help out people through bowling and at this time it feltlike a great moment.” That mindset ultimately led him to accept a long-term coaching position withthe Qatar Youth Team, beginning in June. Full Focus Some players manage to coach and compete at the same time, even at theirprime. Many PBA and PWBA stars run clinics and offer coaching, but Anderssonfelt that splitting his attention would not allow him to give young bowlerswhat they expect - or what he wants to deliver. “With the move to Doha I’d like to put all my dedication towards the playersin Qatar. Focus will be 100% on them.” He added that the team’s potential is a major motivation. “I know how much potential they have at a young age. If I can help them becomeeven better and compete at the highest level, I would be so excited.” Goodbyes and Undone Business Andersson will be leaving not only the international stage, but also his teamin the Swedish Elitserien. Last season, he helped lead Team Clan to the trophy, and this year they sit in second place with two games in reserveagainst leaders BK Full House. Last season, he helped lead Team Clan to the trophy When asked about leaving the team without one of its key players, Anderssondidn’t hesitate. “They will be more than fine without me for sure!” With Team Clan, Andersson experienced some of the best moments of his professional career, lifting the league trophy twice - the first one nearly a decade ago, in 2016. One Last Ride Although Andersson will retire in June, he still has goals he wants to chasein his final months on the lanes. His first priority is to defend the titlewith Team Clan. The other is more individual. As the winner of the inaugural PBA Sweden regional event, he holds a covered-entry invitation to the World Series ofBowling in Minnesota at the end of April - an opportunity he intends to use. winner of the inaugural PBA Sweden regional event “Still a few things I wanna bowl and try to do my best in before I’m done!Like winning Swedish league one more time and bowl the WSOB!”

ThePBA USA vs. The World Captains Matchdelivered more than just a Sunday exhibition - it offered a rare early-seasonlook at two of the sport’s biggest living legends. Inside theInternational Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, on a pair of real wood lanesinstalled without markings or arrows, and human pinsetting machines,EJ Tackett struck 11 of 12 shots to defeat Australian Jason Belmonte266–227. PBA USA vs. The World Captains Match EJ Tackett struck 11 of 12 shots to defeat Australian Jason Belmonte266–227 Even though the match’s main purpose was to raise donations for theInternational Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, Team USA still gained astrategic advantage heading into the April 4 televised finals: lane choice andlineup control.Tackett selected Andrew Anderson and Ethan Fiore tojoin him, while Belmonte chose Jesper Svensson and Dominic Barrett for TeamWorld. The final roster spot for each team will be awarded based on competitionpoints after the PBA Indiana Classic in March. The rivalry between Tackett and Belmonte remains one of the definingnarratives of PBA - and Sunday’s match added another chapter. But for fans - and for Belmonte himself - now entering his 19th season with 15majors, a Super Slam, and a stated goal of reaching 20 major titles, thebigger story is what the year ahead represents. At 42, the Australian icon has openly acknowledged that the last two yearshave been among the most difficult of his career. Yet heading into 2026, something feels different. And Belmonte knows it. BowlingLife spoke with him in an interview following the CaptainsMatch to talk rivalry, tgood lads, and what he describes as a long-awaitedreturn to feeling like the old self again. It Was More About a Preview Asked whether the Captains Match carried extra weight, especially given therivalry narrative between him and Tackett, Belmonte brushed off the idea. “I don’t think this match was about making a statement. The environment wasunique and the atmosphere was cool, but I doubt very much either EJ or myselfused this match as a statement match. It was more about a preview and teamselections.” The Winning Trio Team World, led by Jason Belmonte, won the last two editions of PBA USA vs.The World - sweeping Team USA in 2023 and winning again in 2019. Belmonte didn't think that Sunday’s result carries any weightheading into the April 4 event, especially since he’ll once again rely on thesame winning trio. His selections for Team World mirror the winning 2023 lineup: Dom Barrett and JesperSvensson. And according to Belmonte, the reasons go far beyond their résumés. A Rebuilt Mindset In the last two seasons, Belmo was always somewhere in the contest for thetitles, cashing in neary every PBA Tour event. But despite finishing 3rd inpoints last season and 5th in 2024, Belmonte has only two titles across hislast three campaigns - a stark contrast to the five titles he collected in2022 alone. Belmonte acknowledged how difficult the last few yearshave been and shared, how much sweat he put in to change that. “I’ve worked really hard on having a strong 2026. I’ve worked out more than Iever have. 4–5 times a week for 5 months. I’ve redefined my physical gameslightly. Re-engineered parts of it. However the biggest change has beenmentally. It has been a very difficult couple years for me mentally and Isuffered through it. I feel much healthier and happier now which has releasedthe version of old of me. I’m excited to be me again on the lanes.” If Belmo truly feels like himself again, the PBA may be heading toward one ofits most 'BOOM' seasons in years - and perhaps the beginning of another pushtoward the 20 majors Belmonte been chasing for the last decade. It won't take long for the fans to see if Belmo's hard work payed off, as thenew PBA Tour season starts today in Arlington, Texas, with the first majortitle on the line - PBA Players Championship. The qualification will take place from Tuesday, February 17, until Friday,February 20, with the first broadcast on Sunday, February 22 at 4 p.m. EasternonThe CW. The CW

The PBA entered a new era last week with the announcement of Peter Murray as its new CEO. In addition, Murray will also serve as Head of Media for the PBAowners, Lucky Strike Entertainment.Taking on either of these roles would be a significant responsibility. Takingon both at the same time... well, a much bigger challenge. announcement of Peter Murray as its new CEO The positive takeaway is that this responsibility is being placed in the handsof someone who, at first impression, appears well equipped to handle it. Coming from a background that includes major sports and media organizationssuch as Professional Fighters League (PFL), Under Armour, and Insignia Sports,Murray's resume signals a strong candidate not only to manage both roles, butalso to lead the PBA - and potentially the whole sport - into a new phase.Shortly after the announcement, BowlingLife’s Erikas Jansonas spoke with Mr. Murray, asking about his early impressions, vision forthe PBA, potential new events, and changes in PBA Tour telecasts. A Great Team With Rich History Stepping into the leadership of the PBA would intimidate many, but Murrayappeared calm and confident. He expressed excitement about taking on bothroles and spoke positively about the people he is surrounded by. “Very excited to join Lucky Strike Entertainment, obviously PBA. It's a great teamwith such rich history and tradition related to the PBA and the sport, and tohave the opportunity to really develop this next phase of growth and grow thesport and grow PBA.” A Deeper Appreciation For the Sport Before taking on the role, Murray’s connection to bowling was similar to thatof millions around the world - a social activity and a way to spend timetogether. Stepping into the PBA structure, however, has given him a new level of respectfor the sport, its athletes, and the competitive landscape. Everyone has a favorite bowling memory, and it often reveals how a persontruly views the sport and approaches it. When asked about his most meaningfulbowling memory, Murray shared that it isn’t tied to high scores. Instead,those moments come from time spent bowling with his daughters. “Bowling with my two daughters was definitely a big part of their childhood, along with playing other sports. It was a great family activity," the new PBA CEO said."I live in Westchester County, New York, and there's a Bowlero in White Plains.Been there for many, many years. So it really has a tie that runs in myfamily.” Immediate Priorities Murray is joining the PBA at one of the busiest and most demanding times ofthe year - the launch of a new season.Format changes, new events, and a new broadcast partner all add to thechallenge, especially following the PBA’s announcement that it would movefrom FOX to The CW Network. This transition is Murray’s key focus now. The CW Network will air tenconsecutive Sunday telecasts. The goal is not simply to broadcast professionalbowling on a new platform, but to sell it to a new audience the broadcastercan offer. “We are very excited about the launch, having ten consecutive Sundays on CWfor the first time. A consistent day, Sunday afternoons, from 4 to 6 EST.It's a great time slot and I'm super excited about what CW is going to bringto the sport, the PBA, and the partnership as promotional plans start to rollout. Along with that, launching on CBS broadcast or expanding that relationship.We're spending our time not only on the product and getting ready for thelaunches, but also on how we focus on appealing not just to avid bowling fansand PBA fans, but casual fans. And introducing them to the sport, introducingthem to the PBA. That's what we're going to have some fun with.” Providing Access to the Athletes Coming from the PFL, Murray knows the value of athlete storytelling. In PFL, strong storytelling helped turn athletes into relatable figures -heroes, rivals, and sometimes even villains - making it easier for fans,especially younger audiences, to connect with them. That connection didn’t just grow interest in the athletes themselves, but alsodrove engagement around the sport through social media. These personal storiesof rivalry, struggle, and success create deep emotional bonds with audiences,elevating a sport beyond pure competition. The stories add something thatbowling, for a long time, has often been missing. “We're going to do more storytelling, not just tied to live events and liveproduct, but year-round. We're bringing more resources on the storytellingfront and production front to provide access to the athletes, which is key,and humanize them even further. So fans get access to them not just whenthey're in competitive mode on telecasts, but get to know them.” More Changes in Telecast? Over the past two weeks, much of the attention has focused on changes withinthe PBA broadcast team.Kimberly Pressler announced that she will no longer be part of PBA Tour telecasts after 15 years, while Jeff Richgels of 11thframe.com reported that The CW Network is targeting Kyle Sherman as a potential color analyst for upcoming PBA Tour broadcasts. If Sherman joins the booth, that could impactthe long-standing role of Randy Pedersen. Kimberly Pressler announced that she will no longer be part of PBA Tour telecasts Jeff Richgels of 11thframe.com reported that The CW Network is targeting Kyle Sherman as a potential color analyst for upcoming PBA Tour broadcasts When asked about the possibility of further changes in the broadcast booth,Murray indicated that additional updates are very likely. “The production team has spent a lot of time and will be rolling outannouncements tied to expanding the broadcast team. In addition to bringingnew voices into the sport and into the PBA, there will be other broadcastenhancements designed to further engage the audience. We're excited aboutthese enhancements and will be announcing them in partnership with CW in thenext two weeks,” Murray said. Global Expansion: One of the Top Priorities As an international bowling media representative, I could not help but askhow the global growth of the PBA stands for the newly appointed CEO. Accordingto Murray, the PBA is ready to evolve further into a truly global property. “We have a massive opportunity to grow internationally. As we look at regionsand countries within Europe, Asia, and other markets, there are great players,and we already have some competing in the PBA today. There is other talent that would like the opportunity to have a pathway intothe PBA, and there is demand among media companies and fan bases in thosemarkets. You'll see us begin to open up our distribution starting this year inkey markets. So fans have more access to the PBA, live competition, original content,highlights, and their favorite athletes from those countries.” Schedule Expansion and New Events This year, the PBA Tour will feature 21 different events, ranging from singlescompetitions to doubles, team formats, and international stops. According to Peter Murray, the PBA is also exploring opportunities to expandthe season calendar in the coming years, with fans likely to see additionalPBA Tour stops next season. “More broadly, we're looking forward to expanding the format and creating aworld tournament, and more to come on those details for spending time on further developing new formats to consider and roll out as early as 2027." When asked if the fans can expect more PBA Tour stops in 2027, Mr. Murray responded with a clear “Absolutely.” The PBA Tour season kicks off with the PBA Players Championship on January 16,with the televised finals set for February 22 on theCW Network. CW Network

The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC)announced a major equipment rule change yesterday, confirming that slow oil-absorbing high-performance urethane bowling ballsare now disallowed in all MTBC-sanctioned tournaments. announced a major equipment rule change yesterday "My initial reaction was surprise, but also understanding," Malaysian National Team member and PBA Tour title winner Tun Hakim told BowlingLife as he reflected on what the decision means for the sport going forward. PBA Tour title winner Tun Hakim Tun Hakim According to MTBC, the goal is to protect competitive integrity, keep laneconditions fair, and address equipment-governance issues that have becomeharder to monitor. While the ban introduces a major shift, Hakim acknowledges that MTBC is tryingto balance between fairness and long-term athlete development. “Urethane has becomea big part of modern lane play, and any restriction will naturally createdebate. At the same time, I believe MTBC’s intention is to protect laneintegrity and ensure fair competition, so I respect the effort to manage thesport responsibly,” said Hakim. A Shift Toward Versatility For many bowlers worldwide, urethane has been an essential part of theirarsenal. A new generation of players has grown up with urethane as afoundational tool on all sorts of patterns. Naturally, removing it will force adjustments - something Hakim sees as bothchallenging and beneficial. “I think it will encourage bowlers to rely more on versatility and technicalskills rather than a single equipment option. Adjustments will be challengingat first, especially for players who frequently use urethane, but in the longrun it could lead to more diverse ball choices and strategic play during MTBCevents.” A Disadvantage Internationally? Since urethane is still allowed at big international tournaments like the IBFWorld Championships, some people wonder if Malaysia might fall behind by notusing it locally. At the world level, urethane has been everywhere on the ballracks in recent years. Hakim doesn’t dismiss the concern. “It could be a concern if players do not have enough opportunities to competewith urethane locally. However, I don’t see it as a major disadvantage ifMalaysian bowlers continue to train internationally and prepare specificallyfor IBF events. Adaptability has always been an important part of high-levelbowling, and that remains true here.” MTBC said the decision followed a detailed review with technical experts,coaches, and elite athletes, along with an evaluation of global trends, locallane conditions, and USBC research. In September 2025, the USBC announced that beginning January 1, 2026, slowoil-absorbing high-performance balls will face strict new limits in nationaltournaments, with some events banning them entirely and others allowing onlymodels made at 78D hardness or higher.

The 56th Brunswick Ballmaster Open finished on Sunday in front of a packed Tali Bowling Hall crowd - the legendary 36-lane bowling center in Helsinki, whereFinland’s own Santtu Tahvanainen lifted the trophy after a composed 204–170victory over Rami Mukkula in the championship match. Santtu Tahvanainen lifted the trophy The victory secured him the €10,000 first prize and placed his name on thewall at Tali Bowling Hall, alongside respected world-class bowlers such asMika Koivuniemi and Parker Bohn III – champions of the tournament he grew upwatching. After the final, BowlingLife caught up with the new champion to talk aboutnerves, childhood memories inside Tali Bowling Hall, and what this win meansheading into the upcoming PBA Tour season. “Stressful… and then way less stressful.” The TV finals did not start the way Tahvanainen had hoped. In the semifinal,the defending champion Jarno Lahti started with a four-bagger, whileTahvanainen was struggling to find the rhythm. But as the framesprogressed, Tahvanainen found his footing. defending champion Jarno Lahti The turning point came mid-match. The moment he reset mentally, the gameshifted. “Stressful and then way less stressful," Santtu said with a smile when askedabout his performance in the TV finals. "I was actually stressing it and whenJarno left the split in the fifth frame, it was like kind of a relief. I struggled on my first two shots, I even changed to the four steps. But when hesplit, I thought I have a chance. And I collected my head, and it was way,way better bowling after that.” In the title match, the29-year-old met fellow Finn, 22-year-old rising star Rami Mukkula, who had been leading the tournament since the Top 32 and reached the final by edgingLinus Boström 216–211 in the semifinal. who had been leading the tournament since the Top 32 Moreover, Mukkula already knew what it takes to win at Tali Bowling Hall,having taken the International Hammer Challenge title there in 2024. International Hammer Challenge title there in 2024 Hands Were Not Shaking Even though Tahvanainen began the title match striking only once in hisfirst five frames, he was dealing with the pressure better, picking upspares with confidence, until finally found the rhythm again with three straight strikes in frames six through eight to seal the victory 204-170. Even though Tahvanainen began the title match striking only once in hisfirst five frames, he was dealing with the pressure better, picking upspares with confidence, until finally found the rhythm again Santtu agreed that his PBA experience gave him an advantage under pressure as it kepthis hands steady. "I definitely felt it that I haven't bowl so much of tournaments because Iinjured my hand during the Hammer Challenge, so I haven't been able to bowlalmost at all. I wasn't completely confident on my bowling, but my hands werenot trembling or anything like that anymore, like they used to on the TV. Soit definitely helped to have that experience on me.” Why the Ballmaster Hits Differently For many bowlers winning Ballmaster is a career highlight. For SanttuTahvanainen, it is something else entirely - a childhood dream come fullcircle. “I grew up here, I bowled my first Ballmaster when I was like 13 or 14, and Isaw all kind of big names like a Dino Castillo and Sean Rash and Tommy Jones,and I met Parker when I was young, and we always chatted for years andyears." For Finnish bowlers, the Ballmaster Open carries a special weight. Winning at Tali Bowling Center means more than a title – it means becoming part of the history many grow up dreaming about. "It has it's own meaning over here, like because it's an environment. Andeveryone always talked about it when I was a kid, how cool it is to win." On Sunday, he had a chance to taste that win. For a kid who once watched the greats roll strikes on these lanes, lifting the Ballmaster trophy of his own means everything. Momentum for the PBA Tour season The new PBA season begins soon, and this victory couldn’t have come at abetter time. After battling injury last year, Santtu finally feels the rhythmreturning. “The fact that I'm able to put some practice in before I go there is huge,because last year I came off the injury, so I didn't like get to practice atall.” The PBA Tour season kicks off with the PBA Players Championship on January 16,with the televised finals set for February 22 on the CW Network. CW Network