Hammer Bowling has released an open letter to the bowling community followingthe United States Bowling Congress (USBC) decision to impose new restrictions on urethane bowling balls. open letter decision to impose new restrictions on urethane bowling balls On September 4th, USBC announced that slow oil-absorbing high-performancebowling balls (urethane) with absorption times over 90 minutes must meet aminimum 78D hardness requirement starting December 31, 2025, to remainapproved for sale in the United States. Beginning January 1, 2026, several national tournaments will see outright banson these balls, while others will allow them only under specific conditions.However, these balls will still be legal in leagues and local tournaments,unless an event organizer decides otherwise. Hammer expressed strong concern with the decision, stating that the new rulescould create confusion across the sport and limit a piece of equipment thathas long been trusted by bowlers. The company emphasized that urethane has been an important part of bowling fordecades and that restrictions risk upsetting loyal players. Below is the full open letter from Hammer Bowling to bowlers around the world,published in its original form: An Open Letter from Hammer Bowling to Bowlers Around the World: The sport of bowling has always been built on innovation, tradition, and thepursuit of excellence. For more than forty years, urethane bowling balls havebeen a trusted tool and essential part of that story, providing bowlers with areliable tool to tackle challenging lane conditions and allowing bowlers tocompete at their highest level. Now, that legacy is being threatened. The USBC has announced sweeping restrictions on urethane balls for nationaltournaments, including outright bans in some cases. These changes represent aseismic shift in our sport, removing equipment that generations of bowlers,from grassroots leagues to the highest levels of professional play, haverelied upon, and we believe these new rules will create confusion and risksetting a troublesome precedent for leagues and tournaments to follow. At Hammer Bowling, we are deeply frustrated by USBC’s continued attention onbowling ball restrictions including this latest decision to target bowlingball materials. The focus on banning equipment options rather than growingparticipation is a misguided step that risks upsetting loyal bowlers andcausing irreparable harm to the sport we all love. Urethane has earned its place on the lanes - not just as another coverstock,but as a vital tool for controlling ball motion, navigating difficult oilpatterns, and allowing bowlers to compete at their highest level. In today’sgame, with higher rev rates and increasingly challenging lane patterns,urethane remains more important than ever. Eliminating it erases a criticalpart of our sport’s versatility and evolution, and to our knowledge, there hasnever been a ball so effective and so popular that rules were created torestrict its use, despite maintaining USBC-approval, passing numerous spotchecks, and continuing to meet all USBC specifications. Most importantly, we want to reassure bowlers that theHammer Purple Pearl Urethane remains USBC approvedfor use in leagues, local and state events, Junior Gold qualifying, andcollegiate qualifying tournaments. This legendary ball continues to deliverthe performance that bowlers have trusted for years, and it isn’t goinganywhere. Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane remains USBC approved Hammer Bowling stands with bowlers who are angry and disappointed by theseunnecessary restrictions, and we remain committed to fighting for theequipment that makes our sport competitive, enjoyable, and great. Sincerely, The Hammer Bowling Team

The United States has finalized its roster for the 2025 IBF World Championships, which will be held at Top Bowl inside Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon, Hong Kong, from November 24 to December 5. The women representing Team USA will be Julia Bond, Bryanna Coté, Breanna Clemmer, Jillian Martin, Shannon Pluhowsky, and Lauren Russo. On the men’s side, the lineup includes Andrew Anderson, Ryan Barnes, Packy Hanrahan, A.J. Johnson, Kristopher Prather, and Chris Via. The team will compete under the guidance of head coach Bryan O’Keefe, alongside assistant coach and USBC Hall of Famer Kelly Kulick. The 2025 IBF World Championships will bring together top athletes from across the globe. Currently, 23 countries are expected to field men’s teams, while 22 nations will send women’s squads. Competition will begin with the opening ceremony on November 24. Over the following 12 days, athletes will compete in singles, doubles, trios, and team of five events. Several federations have already confirmed their rosters ahead of the championships. Sweden officially named its squad earlier this week, and Finland announced its men’s and women’s teams earlier this summer. Sweden officially named its squad earlier this week Finland announced its men’s and women’s teams

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) has finalized its decision onurethane bowling balls.Beginning January 1, 2026, urethane balls will face strict new limits at national tournaments. In someevents, they will be banned entirely; in others, only models manufactured at aminimum 78D hardness will be allowed.According to USBC officials, these changes should take positive stepstoward addressing the issues related to athlete development, lane patternintegrity and competition equity. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) has finalized its decision onurethane bowling balls. January 1, 2026 78D hardness According to USBC officials, these changes should take positive stepstoward addressing the issues related to athlete development, lane patternintegrity and competition equity. USBC Lane Pattern Development Lead Nick Hoagland also shared his thoughts onthe growing challenges of creating equitable lane conditions in today’scompetitive bowling environment. According to Hoagland, urethanebowling balls add to the difficulty by quickly breaking down intended lane characteristics.His comments were featured in avideo released by USBC. lane characteristics video released by USBC Hoagland outlined several factors shaping the current situation. Lane surfacesare aging quickly, while bowling ball technology continues to advance at arapid pace. The maximum allowable oil volumes are already being applied tolanes, and higher revolution rates are increasingly common across the field. revolution rates "As an industry, we're nearing the limits of viable oil pattern tricks to achieve balance," Hoagland said. Over the past decade, USBC and other organizations have experimented withdifferent approaches to keep lane conditions challenging while preserving theintended pattern design. These include oil pattern adjustments such as oil speed bumps down the lane topreserve integrity, larger left-side offsets to improve left-right equity,wet-dry designs to discourage urethane use, and radical structures meant topromote fairness across styles. Tournament format changes have also been tested, including shorter blocks,eliminating burn squads, hardness rules, and in some cases restrictingurethane for strike shots. Despite these efforts, balancing competition between left- and right-handedplayers, as well as between one-handed and two-handed styles, continues topresent challenges. When asked how the game might change without urethanes, Hoagland pointed toseveral potential benefits. Shorter patterns could be used more often without losing design integrity, andpattern flexibility would improve at both elite and local levels. Players whobase their game on urethane would need to adapt, while left- and right-handedbowlers would be able to play lanes in a more similar manner. The ruling marks one of the most significant changes to bowling ballregulations in recent years. The full USBC Report on bowling ball hardnessgovernance can be found here. The ruling marks one of the most significant changes to bowling ballregulations in recent years. The full USBC Report on bowling ball hardnessgovernance can be found here .

Following the announcement of the new USBC urethane restriction at nationallyconducted events, 32-time PBA Tour champion Jason Belmonte has spoken outabout the rule changes. announcement of the new USBC urethane restriction USBC recently confirmed that beginning December 31, 2025, urethane bowlingballs must be manufactured at a minimum 78D hardness to remain approved forsale in the United States. Meanwhile, starting January 1, 2026, restrictionswill apply to national tournaments, including complete urethane bans at theU.S. Open, USBC Masters, PWBA Tour events, and others. In his recent post on social media, Belmonte described the rule as unclear anddifficult to follow. He pointed out that while urethane will be banned atnational events, they remain allowed in leagues and other certifiedcompetitions, emphasizing that the changes will affect only a small part ofbowlers post on social media "My head is spinning at just how poor this is, let alone confusing," Belmontesaid. "The majority of bowling will see zero change. The ‘soft’ urethane ballswill still continue to roam free amongst the bowling community." After USBC decision on urethane restriction, urethanes are allowed in certaintournaments, like certified leagues and tournaments, but banned in others, andin some cases allowed only during qualifying before being restricted in laterrounds. Belmonte expressed that the rule changes are very confusing. He also notedthat the USBC had the chance to provide clarity and move the sport forward,but the Australian two-hander believes the decision fell short. "78D hardness balls are allowed, but are also banned, but are also allowed andthen banned within the same tournament. Then the only people who are trying tomake a living are the ones who see the biggest change. If it’s ‘bad’ for thepros, why not bad for everyone else? This governing body had a chance to giveclarity, correct their previous mistakes and lead forward. They have not donethat here!" According to the USBC, The new urethane restriction aims to address issuessuch as lane condition integrity, competitive fairness, and playerdevelopment.USBC is not the only governing body to take action against urethane bowlingballs. In May, we reported that the Norwegian Bowling Federation (NBF) introduced a newrule banning the use of certain urethane bowling balls in major nationalcompetitions. This includes the Norwegian National Championships and the NationalLeague. USBC is not the only governing body to take action against urethane bowlingballs. In May, we reported that the Norwegian Bowling Federation (NBF) introduced a newrule banning the use of certain urethane bowling balls in major nationalcompetitions. This includes the Norwegian National Championships and the NationalLeague.

After weeks of speculation and a formal review process, the United StatesBowling Congress (USBC) has finalized its decision on urethane and other slowoil-absorbing bowling balls. Back on July 23,USBC confirmed it was formally reviewing urethane equipmentfollowing growing concerns about fairness, lane conditions, and enforcement.That announcement included apublic surveyandinput from manufacturers, fueling speculation about a possible ban. July 23 USBC confirmed it was formally reviewing urethane equipment public survey input from manufacturers Now, USBC has delivered its verdict. BeginningJanuary 1, 2026, slowoil-absorbing high-performance balls will face strict new limits at nationaltournaments. In some events, they will be banned entirely; in others, onlymodels manufactured at a minimum78D hardness will beallowed. January 1, 2026 78D hardness Bowling ball makers had already anticipated change. In recent years, mostmajor brands stopped releasing new urethane models, with Storm’sIQ Tour 78U (2023) andHammer’sBlack Pearl Urethane (2024)among the last on the market. IQ Tour 78U Black Pearl Urethane What’s Changing Hardness Standard:BeginningDecember 31, 2025, any slowoil-absorbing high-performance ball (the type that absorbs oil slower than90 minutes and has a high-performance core) must be made at78D hardness or higher tobe approved for sale in the U.S.Older Models: All slowoil-absorbing balls madebefore August 1, 2022 areno longer allowed in national tournaments, even if they meet hardness requirements.League & Local Play:These balls will still be legal in leagues and local tournaments, unless anevent organizer decides otherwise. Hardness Standard:BeginningDecember 31, 2025, any slowoil-absorbing high-performance ball (the type that absorbs oil slower than90 minutes and has a high-performance core) must be made at78D hardness or higher tobe approved for sale in the U.S. Hardness Standard: December 31, 2025 78D hardness or higher Older Models: All slowoil-absorbing balls madebefore August 1, 2022 areno longer allowed in national tournaments, even if they meet hardness requirements. Older Models: before August 1, 2022 no longer allowed in national tournaments League & Local Play:These balls will still be legal in leagues and local tournaments, unless anevent organizer decides otherwise. League & Local Play: Tournament Rules (Starting 2026) Banned Completely: U.S. OpenUSBC MastersAll PWBA Tour events (including U.S. Women’s Open, Queens,Regionals)U22 Masters and QueensUSBC Intercollegiate NationalsUSA Bowling Nationals U.S. Open USBC Masters All PWBA Tour events (including U.S. Women’s Open, Queens,Regionals) U22 Masters and Queens USBC Intercollegiate Nationals USA Bowling Nationals Allowed Only if 78D Hardness: USBC Open ChampionshipsUSBC Women’s ChampionshipsBowlers Journal ChampionshipsUSBC Senior Masters, Senior Queens, Super Senior ClassicYouth Open Championships USBC Open Championships USBC Women’s Championships Bowlers Journal Championships USBC Senior Masters, Senior Queens, Super Senior Classic Youth Open Championships Restricted Use - Junior Gold: 78D urethane balls allowed inqualifying onlyNot allowed in match play or finals 78D urethane balls allowed inqualifying only qualifying only Not allowed in match play or finals No Change:Events like Team USA Trials, collegiate sectionals, Junior Gold qualifiers,and several amateur competitions remain unaffected. No Change: Why the Change? USBC explained four main reasons behind the decision: Lane Conditions -Slow oil-absorbing balls break down lane patterns faster, making them playdifferently than intended.Fairness - Mixingurethane and reactive balls in the same event creates scoring imbalancesbetween styles.Player Development - Relying too heavily on urethane limits skill growth, especiallyfor youth bowlers.Integrity - Theseballs can soften over time, which has caused protests and accusations oftampering. Lane Conditions -Slow oil-absorbing balls break down lane patterns faster, making them playdifferently than intended. Lane Conditions Fairness - Mixingurethane and reactive balls in the same event creates scoring imbalancesbetween styles. Fairness Player Development - Relying too heavily on urethane limits skill growth, especiallyfor youth bowlers. Player Development Integrity - Theseballs can soften over time, which has caused protests and accusations oftampering. Integrity “These changes take positive steps toward addressing the issues related toathlete development, lane pattern integrity and competition equity,” said USBCExecutive DirectorChad Murphy. Chad Murphy Hardness Spot Checks Begin Immediately USBC also confirmed it will beginhardness spot-check testingat national tournaments right away. While primarily for research andmonitoring, the checks also give officials a tool to identify potentialtampering and reinforce competitive integrity. hardness spot-check testing Ineligible Ball Lists USBC has published two official lists of balls that are now ineligible fornational events. The first applies to events whereno slow oil-absorbing balls are allowed (like the U.S. Open andMasters). The second applies to events where they are allowedonly if 78D hardness (like the USBC Open andWomen’s Championships). no slow oil-absorbing balls are allowed only if 78D hardness Some of the most notable models affected include: Storm Pitch BlackStorm IQ Tour 78UHammer Purple Pearl Urethane900 Global Altered RealityMotiv Tank Rampage Pearl Storm Pitch Black Storm IQ Tour 78U Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane 900 Global Altered Reality Motiv Tank Rampage Pearl These are among the most recognizable urethane and urethane-style balls incompetitive play, and their removal from certain events will be immediatelyfelt by both professionals and high-level amateurs. The complete, regularly updated ineligible ball lists are available onBOWL.com. BOWL.com What This Means for Bowlers If you bowl leagues or local tournaments, your urethane ball is still legal unless the organizer adopts theserules.If you compete in national events, you’ll need to carefully check whether your ball is allowed under thenew rules.A number of popular urethane and urethane-like models will no longer bepermitted at certain events, even if they were previously approved. If you bowl leagues or local tournaments, your urethane ball is still legal unless the organizer adopts theserules. If you bowl leagues or local tournaments , your urethane ball is still legal unless the organizer adopts theserules. If you compete in national events, you’ll need to carefully check whether your ball is allowed under thenew rules. If you compete in national events , you’ll need to carefully check whether your ball is allowed under thenew rules. A number of popular urethane and urethane-like models will no longer bepermitted at certain events, even if they were previously approved. A Split Path Between U.S. and Europe While USBC is tightening restrictions on urethane, Europe is moving in theopposite direction. OnAugust 18, the EuropeanBowling Federation (EBF) announced that the78D hardness rule will be dropped starting with the 2026European Bowling Tour (EBT) season and the 2025–26 EBT Youth season. August 18 78D hardness rule will be dropped That decision meansany ball on the USBC/IBF Approved Ball Listcan be used at EBT stops. Importantly, balls such as theHammer Purple Pearl Urethaneand Storm Pitch Black remainon the Approved List, even though they are restricted at certain USBC nationaltournaments beginning in 2026. any ball on the USBC/IBF Approved Ball List Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane Storm Pitch Black In practice, this creates a clear split: In the U.S.: Balls likePurple Hammer and Pitch Black are approved for general use but banned innational events such as the U.S. Open and Masters.In Europe: As long as theball is on the Approved List, it will be allowed at all EBT events, unlessthe tournament is officially sanctioned as part of the PBA Tour. In the U.S.: Balls likePurple Hammer and Pitch Black are approved for general use but banned innational events such as the U.S. Open and Masters. In the U.S.: In Europe: As long as theball is on the Approved List, it will be allowed at all EBT events, unlessthe tournament is officially sanctioned as part of the PBA Tour. In Europe: The contrast highlights a growing divide in global governance. For bowlerscompeting internationally, it means the same ball could be disallowed at aUSBC national tournament yet fully legal on the European tour. The Bottom Line The ruling marks one of the most significant changes to bowling ballregulations in recent years. While reactions will be mixed, USBC believes thenew standards will preserve lane conditions, level the playing field, andencourage more versatile skill development. Read a fullUSBC Report on Bowling Ball Hardness Governance. USBC Report on Bowling Ball Hardness Governance For complete details, FAQs, and the full ineligible ball lists, visitBOWL.com. BOWL.com.

The 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships concluded in Petaling Jayawith Singapore and Korea sharing the Masters titles. Singapore’sMike Ong Jing Loong captured the Boys’ Masters crown, giving his country asixth gold medal, while Korea’s Paek Ye Dam secured her nation’s first gold inthe Girls’ Masters. In the boys’ stepladder final, Ong defeated Japan’s top-seed Fumine Suda in atwo-game total pinfall match. Ong edged the opening game 248–246and followed with a steady 216–203 to secure a 464–449 victory. Earlier, Onghad advanced by narrowly defeating Korea’s Shin Ji Ho in the semi-finals.The title marked Singapore’s second gold in the boys’ division,following Aiman Raedyn Lim Jen’s Singles win earlier in the week. In the girls’ division, top-seed Paek Ye Dam defeated her Korean teammate LeeDa Eun 454–373 in an all-Korean final. Lee had advanced byovercoming Singapore’s Shirlene Wong in the semi-finals. Paek, who hadfinished fifth in the first block, climbed to the top of the standings in thesecond block to secure her position as the number one seed. The Masters results closed a successful week for Singapore, which dominatedthe girls’ division with a medal tally of four golds, one silver, and onebronze. Korea followed with one gold, four silvers, and one bronze, whileMalaysia collected two bronze medals. In the boys’ division, Kuwait topped the standings with two gold medals andone silver. Singapore earned two golds and one bronze, while Korea finishedwith one gold and two silvers. Overall, Singapore emerged as the leading nation with six golds, one silver,and one bronze – their best performance at the Asian Youth Championships.Kuwait finished second in the overall medal table, with Korea in third.Thechampionships, held from August 20 to 27, 2025, brought together 56 boys, 32girls, and 38 officials from 14 countries.

The 22nd Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Petaling Jaya sawhistoric results as Kuwait and Singapore both celebrated double victories.Kuwait captured the Boys’ Team and All Event gold medals,while Singapore secured the Girls’ Team and All Event titles. In the boys’ Team of Four, Malaysia led after the first block but slipped witha poor start in the second. Kuwait’s Abdul Rzzaq Mohamad, Adel Ali, NasserAlkandari, and Hassan Qasem surged with a 940 game to move into contention.Korea and Singapore also remained close with high scores. The contest came down to the final game. Singapore posted 939 to reach 5158and Malaysia finished with 860 for 5172. Korea closed with 907 to total 5187,but Kuwait ended with 957 to secure the gold medal at 5194. Thevictory was Kuwait’s first Team gold since 2007 in Beijing. In the girls’ Team event, Singapore’s Hazel Tan, Shirlene Wong, Lim Shi En,and Nur Irdina Hazly led from start to finish. They ended with 5017 for theirfourth gold medal of the championships. Korea’s Paek Ye Dam, Jo Yoon Seo, NohHye Min, and Lee Da Eun followed closely but settled for silver with 4988.Malaysia took the bronze with 4796. The All Events titles also produced historic moments. Kuwait’s Hassan Qasemearned the Boys’ All Events gold with 4123. Korea’s Bae Jung Hun claimedsilver with 4071, while Malaysia’s Muhammad Aiman Syahin took bronze with4063. Singapore’s Lim Shi En won the Girls’ All Events with 3828, adding a fifthgold for her country. Team-mate Shirlene Wong earned silver with 3822, andKorea’s Noh Hye Min secured bronze with 3791.The top 16 boys andtop 16 girls from the All Event standings advanced to the Matchplay Mastersfinals, which begin tomorrow in Petaling Jaya.

The 2025 Ultimate Tenpin Cup in Australia crowned its singles champions withConnor Raines of the NQ Crocs and Bek Martin of NES Synergy winning thetitles. Both players collected 5000 Australian Dollars and atrophy. In the men’s stepladder final, No. 1 seed Connor Raines defeated U.S. star EJTackett 211-201. Tackett had advanced by beating JacksonBuckingham 198-156 and then overcoming Sam Cooley 215-205. Cooley finished theevent in third place. In the women’s division, No. 4 seed Bek Martin made her way through thestepladder with wins over Maranda Pattison 194-181 and Bryanna Coté 220-193.In the final, Martin faced England’s top seed Verity Crawley andwon 211-202 to claim the championship. Coté placed third while Crawleyfinished runner-up. Full Results The tournament is not over yet. The Ultimate Teams Clash begins tomorrow with18 teams set to compete for the title.

The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and Longmarch Bowling haveannounced a 10-year agreement to relaunch the PBA China Regional Program. The relaunch begins in October 2025 with three scheduled tournaments at theLongmarch Bowling Center in Shanghai. The first event, the PBA China Tribute to Pioneers Championship, will takeplace from September 18–21, 2025. It will be followed by the PBA ChinaScorpion Championship on January 2–3, 2026, and the 2026 PBA China Cup onOctober 2–4, 2026. This new partnership builds on the PBA’s history in China. The relationship began in 2014 when Longmarch Bowling helped recruit playersin China to join the PBA through the “Pioneers Program.” More than 100 Chinesebowlers have become members since then, with several competing in the PBAWorld Series of Bowling. In 2019, the PBA China Tiger Cup became the first PBA event in the country,featuring the season’s top seven PBA-ranked players alongside hundreds ofcompetitors from China and Asia. The program was paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PBA and Longmarch Bowling aim to use this relaunch to expand competitiveopportunities for Chinese bowlers, attract new talent, and strengthen thesport’s presence in the region. The 10-year agreement is part of the PBA’s wider plan for global growth, withChina seen as an important market for the sport’s future.PBA Regional events outside the United States have proven successful, with PBA Sweden and PBA Japan already established on the international calendar.

Chris Via and Bryanna Coté claimed the title at the 25th anniversary edition of the Storm PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles, held at Copperfield Bowl in Houston. After finishing qualifying in 22nd place, the pair surged during match play and secured the top spot heading into the final game. With a total pinfall of 10,416 (+1,216) over 46 combined games, they held a comfortable lead of 260 pins over Kyle Troup and Liz Johnson, who finished in second with +1,042. Latest win marked Coté’s sixth PWBA title and Via’s second PBA title. For the win they were awarded with $25,000. Via also rolled the only two 300 games of the tournament and donated both $300 bonuses to the Striking Against Breast Cancer foundation. Last year's champions Anthony Simonsen and Danielle McEwan finished in 22nd. Last year's champions Last year's champions The final PBA title event of the season will be the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters in Helsingborg, Sweden, while the PWBA season wraps in August with Championship Week in Rochester, New York. Storm Lucky Larsen Masters in Helsingborg, Sweden Storm Lucky Larsen Masters in Helsingborg, Sweden Championship Week in Rochester, New York Championship Week in Rochester, New York Top 5 Final Standings: Top 5 Final Standings: Chris Via / Bryanna Coté – 10,416 (+1,216)Kyle Troup / Liz Johnson – 10,242 (+1,042)Darren Tang / Sin Li Jane – 10,039 (+839)Andrew Anderson / Erin McCarthy – 9,952 (+752)Tommy Jones / Shannon Pluhowsky – 9,918 (+718) Chris Via / Bryanna Coté – 10,416 (+1,216) Kyle Troup / Liz Johnson – 10,242 (+1,042) Darren Tang / Sin Li Jane – 10,039 (+839) Andrew Anderson / Erin McCarthy – 9,952 (+752) Tommy Jones / Shannon Pluhowsky – 9,918 (+718)

The 2025 PBA50 Petraglia Championship concluded on Tuesday in Jackson, Michigan, with Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi winning his first PBA50 title since 2018. In the title match, Koivuniemi, the No. 2 seed, started strong with a strike and spare, then built momentum with seven consecutive strikes from the fourth to the tenth frame - a pace his opponent just couldn't hande, securing the win 258-224. Previously, in the semifinal, Koivuniemi defeated No. 5 seed Liz Johnson, who had advanced through two earlier matches by defeating Brian LeClair in the opening match, 215-199 and then defeating Tom Daugherty 225-197. Johnson and Koivuniemi were even early in the game, but a split in the fourth frame gave Koivuniemi the lead. He remained clean through the match and finished strong to win 227-202. Koivuniemi earned $5,000 for the win. This win was crucial for Major Mika as he moves closer to qualifying for the PBA50 World Championship match play. All qualifying scores from this tournament, along with those from the Ballard, Monacelli, and Holman Championships, will determine the top 18 players advancing to the World Championship. Koivuniemi currently stands in 19th place and will need strong results in the upcoming Holman Championship to move up. All matches of the PBA50 are available to watch live on BowlTV. PBA50 Petraglia Championship Stepladder Finals – Match Results PBA50 Petraglia Championship Stepladder Finals – Match Results Match 1: Liz Johnson def. Brian LeClair, 215 – 199 Match 1: Match 2: Liz Johnson def. Tom Daugherty, 225 – 197 Match 2: Semifinal: Mika Koivuniemi def. Liz Johnson, 227 – 202 Semifinal: Final: Mika Koivuniemi def. Bo Goergen, 258 – 224 Final:

Andrew Anderson defeated EJ Tackett in two straight games during Sunday’s finale at Steel City Bowl & Brews in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to become the fifth bowler to claim the title since the lounch of the event. The final match began with Tackett taking an early lead with four straight strikes, but open frames in the later stages allowed Anderson to steal Game 1, 212–200. In Game 2, early errors from Tackett gave Anderson a comfortable advantage. Despite an open frame in the sixth, Anderson held on to win 212–189 and sweep the Race-to-Two final. This win marks Anderson’s second title of the season—both earned in finals matches against Tackett—and the sixth PBA Tour title of his career. Earlier in the year, Tackett topped Anderson in the U.S. Open, but Anderson bounced back to defeat him at the PBA Mike Aulby Nevada Classic. Tackett topped Anderson in the U.S. Open Tackett topped Anderson in the U.S. Open PBA Mike Aulby Nevada Classic PBA Mike Aulby Nevada Classic With this win, he also pockets the $35,000 top prize. The Tour Finals featured the top eight points leaders from the 2024 and 2025 seasons, split into two groups. Anderson and Tackett each earned the top seed in their respective groups during Saturday’s positioning rounds and fought their way through stepladder matches to reach the final. In Group 1, Tackett advanced after narrowly escaping a roll-off win against Graham Fach. In Group 2, Anderson survived a high-scoring bracket that saw Jason Belmonte shoot 269 and 278 in his first two matches. Anderson lost the first game of their head-to-head but forced a roll-off and doubled in the tenth to move on to the championship. The PBA Tour Finals closes out the 2025 season. The post-season begins with the Storm PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles in July, followed by a return to international play in August at the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters in Sweden. Group 1 Stepladder Results: Group 1 Stepladder Results: Match 1: Kyle Troup (No. 4) defeated Bill O’Neill (No. 3), 227–214Match 2: Graham Fach (No. 2) defeated Kyle Troup, 226–197Match 3: EJ Tackett (No. 1) defeated Graham Fach, 2–1 Match 1: Kyle Troup (No. 4) defeated Bill O’Neill (No. 3), 227–214 Match 1: Match 2: Graham Fach (No. 2) defeated Kyle Troup, 226–197 Match 2: Match 3: EJ Tackett (No. 1) defeated Graham Fach, 2–1 Match 3: Group 2 Stepladder Results: Group 2 Stepladder Results: Match 1: Jason Belmonte (No. 3) defeated Anthony Simonsen (No. 4), 269–259Match 2: Jason Belmonte defeated Marshall Kent (No. 2), 278–221Match 3: Andrew Anderson (No. 1) defeated Jason Belmonte, 2–1 Match 1: Jason Belmonte (No. 3) defeated Anthony Simonsen (No. 4), 269–259 Match 1: Match 2: Jason Belmonte defeated Marshall Kent (No. 2), 278–221 Match 2: Match 3: Andrew Anderson (No. 1) defeated Jason Belmonte, 2–1 Match 3:

The final PBA Tour title of the 2025 season is on the line this weekend in Pennsylvania, where the top eight point leaders from the 2024 and 2025 seasons are competing in the PBA Tour Finals. On Saturday, the players were split into two groups based on their points standings. Group 1 included EJ Tackett, Bill O’Neill, Kyle Troup, and Graham Fach. Group 2 featured Anthony Simonsen, Jason Belmonte, Andrew Anderson, and Marshall Kent. Each group bowled two games on dual oil patterns—46-foot Petraglia on the left lane and 40-foot Monacelli on the right. The two lowest scorers were placed as the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds for Sunday’s stepladder. The top two advanced to a one-game match to determine seeding for the final. In Group 1, Tackett led the pack with 266 in his first game and stayed consistent to finish with a total of 488. Fach followed closely with 460 to join him in the seeding match, where Tackett rolled 258 to Fach’s 211 to claim the top seed. O’Neill and Troup will open Sunday’s Group 1 stepladder at 5 p.m. ET. The winner will face Fach, and then meet Tackett in a Race-to-Two match. Group 2 saw a standout performance from Andrew Anderson, who started with a 279 and followed it with 206 for a 485 series. Marshall Kent secured second with 452, while Belmonte and Simonsen struggled to keep pace. Anderson edged out Kent in the seeding match, 193–191, and now waits for the winner of the Group 2 stepladder starting at 7 p.m. ET. Belmonte and Simonsen will face off in the opener, with the winner moving on to face Kent. The two stepladder winners will meet in the championship match at 9 p.m. ET. All matches will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network, which recently signed a new two-year agreement with the PBA beginning in 2026. new two-year agreement with the PBA beginning in 2026 new two-year agreement with the PBA beginning in 2026

Jesper Svensson is the 2025 PBA Playoffs Champion after defeating EJ Tackett in a high-energy, four-game final at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Michigan. The Swedish left-hander came out firing, taking the first two games with scores of 217–208 and 225–220. Tackett responded with a strong comeback in Game 3, making a ball change that helped him win 246–216 and stay in the match. Game 4 turned into a strike fest, with both players nearly perfect through eight frames. But late mistakes from Tackett opened the door, and Svensson needed just a mark in the final frame to seal the 246-win. He made the spare and secured his back-to-back title in just over a month—having already won the PBA Tournament of Champions in April. PBA Tournament of Champions in April PBA Tournament of Champions in April This victory marks Svensson’s 15th career PBA Tour title. After finishing as runner-up in last year’s PBA Playoffs, he returned stronger than ever to take the crown in 2025. After finishing as runner-up in last year’s PBA Playoffs After finishing as runner-up in last year’s PBA Playoffs With 14 PBA Tour titles, Jesper Svensson is now tied with Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi as the most decorated European player in PBA Tour history.

The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) has announced a new media partnership with CBS Sports in a two-year deal starting with the 2026 season. CBS Sports will broadcast a total of 31 hours of PBA content in 2026—more than triple the coverage provided in 2025. Matches will air on the CBS Television Network and stream live on Paramount+, with additional programming featured on CBS Sports Network. The partnership will highlight two major events: the PBA World Series of Bowling (WSOB) and the newly updated PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The World Series of Bowling is considered one of the most prestigious global events in the sport. Since its debut 16 years ago, it has featured bowlers from over 30 countries, with 14 international players claiming titles. In 2026, CBS Sports Network will cover both the preliminary rounds and finals of the four animal pattern championships, leading up to the PBA World Championship finals, which will air live on CBS and Paramount+. In addition, the PBA Commissioner’s Cup will return with a refreshed format. Previously known as the PBA Tour Finals, the event traditionally featured the top eight players based on competition points. Beginning in 2026, all PBA members will have the chance to qualify. A separate qualifying round will determine the final eight competitors who will advance to the televised finals, which will span nine hours of coverage on CBS Sports Network. This is not the only recent media move for the PBA. On April 30, the PBA announced it will be leaving FOX. Starting in 2026, fans of professional bowling will have a new home to watch their favorite players compete, as the PBA signed a multi-year agreement with The CW Network to broadcast ten live events each year. PBA announced it will be leaving FOX PBA announced it will be leaving FOX

The 2025 PBA Playoffs Championship marked the end of an era for professional bowling broadcasts on FOX. Jesper Svensson’s four-game victory over EJ Tackett was the final PBA Tour event to air on FOX. Jesper Svensson’s four-game victory over EJ Tackett Jesper Svensson’s four-game victory over EJ Tackett After years of delivering high-stakes bowling action to fans, PBA has closed its chapter with the FOX. For the rest of the 2025 season, the PBA Tour will move to CBS Sports Network. CBS will cover the upcoming PBA Tour Finals over the weekend of June 7–8. The schedule includes positioning rounds, stepladder finals for both groups, and the championship match. "It is always so exciting to make a show, but so much more when we knew we were on BIG Fox," Jason Belmonte wrote on his social media. But as one chapter closes, another begins. This transition is part of a larger shift in PBA broadcasting. Beginning in 2026, the Professional Bowlers Association will partner with The CW Network under a new multi-year deal. will partner with The CW Network under a new multi-year deal will partner with The CW Network under a new multi-year deal This agreement will bring ten live events each year to national television in dedicated Sunday afternoon slots. The CW’s goal is to offer fans a consistent way to follow the sport and attract new viewers to the game. The CW Network already airs other major sports like the NASCAR Xfinity Series and college football, and it plans to make bowling a core part of its growing live sports lineup. The move also reflects the PBA’s push to expand its audience and give bowlers a bigger spotlight.

Shannon Pluhowsky won the 2025 PWBA Tour Championship at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York. Pluhowsky, the No. 1 seed, defeated England’s Verity Crawley 235-167. She earned $50,000 for the win, while Crawley took home $25,000 for second place. The title match was low scoring in the early frames. Pluhowsky had 85 through five frames after leaving a 4-6-10 split, while Crawley had 70 with two strikes and two opens. After the commercial break, both players struck twice in a row, but Pluhowsky added two more strikes to take control. A strike in the ninth and another in the 10th secured the match for Pluhowsky. The victory marked Pluhowsky's third career major title, sixth overall and second in a row PWBA title. Just 3 days ago, Pluhowsky won PWBA Pepsi Open. won PWBA Pepsi Open Crawley reached the title match by defeating No. 5 seed Stephanie Zavala, 233-215 in the semifinals. Zavala had earlier defeated No. 4 seed Jordan Snodgrass, 185-150, and No. 3 seed Lauren Russo, 233-170. Snodgrass earned $10,000 for fifth place, Russo earned $12,000 for fourth, and Zavala collected $15,000 for third. 2025 PWBA Tour Championship was the last event of the 2025 PWBA season. Singapore's New Hui Fen was named 2025 PWBA Player of the Year. She led the tour with 94,550 points and three titles, including the U.S. Women’s Open, Rock 'n' Roll Open and BowlTV Open. Snodgrass finished second in the points race with 93,125. U.S. Women’s Open Rock 'n' Roll Open BowlTV Open

The stepladder finalists are set for the 2025 PWBA Tour Championship at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York. Five players remain in the season’s final major event, and the PWBA Player of the Year race is still undecided.Singapore’s New Hui Fen, who led the PWBA Tour season in points and earnings, did not advance to the stepladder finals, finishing ninth. She will receive 10,600 points, bringing her total to 94,550 Tour points accumulated throughout the season. Jordan Snodgrass, who earned the No. 4 seed, will fight against fifth seed Stephanie Zavala in the opening match of the stepladder. With a single win, Snodgrass can overtake New in season points with 94,625. Meanwhile, Zavala moved into the stepladder during the position round, defeating 2025 Rookie of the Year Malaysia’s Gillian Lim 226–202 to jump from seventh to fifth place. 2025 Rookie of the Year The winner of the opening match will face third seed Lauren Russo. Russo is making her second television appearance of the season after finishing third at the U.S. Women’s Open earlier this year. Second seed Verity Crawley of England will await the winner of that match as a No. 2 seed, only two wins away from the major title. In qualifiers, Crawley averaged over 244 during her block on the 38-foot oil pattern, becoming the first player since the format change in 2021 to start 8-0 in match-play. to start 8-0 in match-play Crawley is also appearing on TV for the second time this season, having reached the finals of the PWBA Anniversary Open in June. Top seed Shannon Pluhowsky, will bowl in the championship match. Pluhowsky is looking for her second straight title after winning the PWBA Pepsi Open and her third career major title. winning the PWBA Pepsi Open The finals will take place Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

The PWBA Tour Championship began at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York, with winners from this season and the top 24 in points competing in match play. Day one kicked off with the first eight games of the 24-game match play, and with a major title up for grabs, UK's Tenpin Hall of Famer wasted no time making history. UK's Tenpin Hall of Famer Verity Crawley became the first player since the format change in 2021 to start the event 8-0 in match-play.Crawley averaged over 244 during her block on the 38-foot oil pattern, scoring 1,957 before bonus pins for a total of 2,197. This is the fifth-highest eight-game match-play total since the PWBA Tour’s relaunch in 2015. Shannon Pluhowsky, the PWBA Pepsi Open champion, sits in second place with 2,066, while Lauren Russo holds third with 1,992. Singapore’s New Hui Fen, the season leader in points and earnings, and Josie Barnes, ranked second in earnings and third in average, share fourth place at 1,973. Positions six through ten after day one are Dasha Kovalova of Ukraine (1,957), Julia Bond (1,941), Jordan Snodgrass (1,926), Lindsay Boomershine (1,926), and Natasha Roslan of Malaysia (1,914). Match play continues Monday morning at 10 a.m. Eastern with another eight games, followed by the final eight games starting at 5 p.m. Eastern. After 24 games, the top five players will advance to the stepladder finals on Tuesday night, broadcast live on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. Eastern. Both rounds of match play are being livestreamed on BowlTV. BowlTV

Malaysia’s Gillian Lim has been named the 2025 PWBA Rookie of the Year. She became the first Malaysian player in history to receive the award. Lim led all rookies in points, earnings, and top-12 finishes during the 2025 season. Her consistent performances across events secured her the top rookie spot. The announcement comes as Lim competes in the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship. After the first eight games of match play, she is in 15th place with two wins, five losses, and one tie, for a total pinfall of 1,848. Meanwhile, England’s Verity Crawley made history by becoming the first player since the format change in 2021 to start the event 8-0 in matches. Crawley averaged over 244 during her block on the 38-foot oil pattern, scoring 1,957 before bonus pins for a total of 2,197 to lead the 24-player field. Match play continues Monday morning at 10 a.m. Eastern with another eight games,followed by the final eight games starting at 5 p.m. Eastern. After 24 games, the top five players will advance to the stepladder finals on Tuesday night, broadcast live on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. Eastern. Both rounds of match play are being livestreamed on BowlTV. BowlTV

Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio, won the PWBA Pepsi Open at ABC Gates Bowl, defeating Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls, New York, 226-175 in the championship match. The victory marked Pluhowsky’s fifth fifth PWBA Tour title. After 12 games of qualification, Pluhowsky qualified as the No. 4 seed with 2,748 total (+348) among 16 advancing players. In the Round of 16, Pluhowsky faced No. 13 seed, Sweden’s Anna Andersson and came from two games to one down to win the best-of-five series with scores of 228 and 235 in the last two games (225-201, 193-232, 214-234, 228-196, 235-225). In the Round of 8, she then swept Singapore’s Shayna Ng with close games of 216-187, 249-230, and 220-210. The semifinal saw Pluhowsky take on Lindsay Boomershine. The intrigue was kept just at the beginning of the game, as Pluhowsky closed with eight consecutive strikes to win 269-189. On the other side of the bracket, No. 10 seed Liz Johnson defeated Breanna Clemmer 3-1 in the Round of 16, then advanced from the top 8 with a narrow one-pin victory in game five against Stephanie Zavala. In the semifinal, Johnson defeated No. 14 seed Nora Johansson of Sweden 235-227 to advance to the title match. In the title match, Johnson led by one pin halfway through the game, but Pluhowsky took control in the second half with a string of strikes. Johnson was unable to match the pace and missed a spare late in the game. Pluhowsky secured the win 226-175, earning the $10,000 top prize. Liz Johnson received $5,000 as runner-up. As the victory marked Pluhowsky’s fifth Professional Women’s Bowling Association title, she is now eligible for the PWBA Hall of Fame. With the victory, Pluhowsky also secured her place in the PWBA Tour Championship field, which features all 2025 title winners and the top 24 in season points. The Tour Championship begins Sunday with practice and continues with match play rounds before the stepladder finals on Tuesday night.

Stefanie Johnson has won her fifth Professional Women’s Bowling Association title after taking the victory at the PWBA Rochester Open, held at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York. Johnson qualified as the No. 2 seed after match play and went on to defeat New Hui Fen of Singapore in the semifinal and top seed Bailey Delrose of Crest Hill, Illinois, in the championship match. This marks Johnson’s first title since the 2022 PWBA Rockford Open. In the semifinal, Johnson faced New Hui Fen, who had been undefeated in stepladder finals this season. Both players struggled early with open frames, but Johnson gained momentum in the second half of the match. She secured the win 203-196, ending New’s perfect 9–0 record in stepladder finals this season. The final match saw Johnson against Delrose, who was making her first career stepladder appearance. Both started strong, but Delrose left a 3-7 split in the sixth frame, allowing Johnson to take the lead. Johnson maintained control and finished with a 230-204 win. Johnson earned $10,000 and secured a spot in the season-ending Tour Championship. Meanwhile, Delrose took home $5,000 for second place. Earlier in the stepladder, Cherie Tan of Singapore faced Julia Bond. Bond advanced with a 233–214 win, then lost to New Hui Fen 224–213 in the second match. Stepladder Results – PWBA Rochester Open Stepladder Results – PWBA Rochester Open Match 1 – Julia Bond def. Cherie Tan, 233–214 Match 2 – New Hui Fen def. Julia Bond, 224–213 Semifinal – Stefanie Johnson def. New Hui Fen, 203–196 Final – Stefanie Johnson def. Bailey Delrose, 230–204 Match 1 Match 2 Semifinal Final

Josie Barnes of Hermitage, Tennessee, claimed the 2025 PWBA Anniversary Open title after winning two matches during Sunday night’s stepladder finals at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The finals took place as part of the Junior Gold Championships Opening Ceremony, drawing over 6,500 spectators into the arena. It marked one of the most attended and visually striking finals in recent PWBA history. Barnes, seeded second, first faced Verity Crawley of England in the semifinals. Crawley had advanced with a 212–193 win over Colombia’s Rocio Restrepo in Match 2. Barnes kept a clean game and used Crawley’s mid-game opens to take control, winning 214–194 to earn a spot in the title match. In the championship match, Barnes met Kayla Smith of Rockford, Illinois. Smith had secured the No. 1 seed after a strong final qualifying round but struggled with carry in the final. Barnes built momentum early with five consecutive strikes and held the lead to close out the match 236–191. The win marks her second title of the 2025 season and sixth overall on the PWBA Tour. second title of the 2025 season second title of the 2025 season The stepladder finals opened with Sweden’s Nora Johansson making her PWBA finals debut. Johansson, the first two-handed player to reach a PWBA stepladder final, led early against Restrepo but closed with back-to-back splits, losing 209–215. All matches were contested at the Resch Center on a specially built lane installation. The event was aired live on CBS Sports Network. PWBA Anniversary Open Stepladder Finals - Match Results Match 1: Rocio Restrepo def. Nora Johansson, 215 - 209Match 2: Verity Crawley def. Rocio Restrepo, 212 - 193Semifinal: Josie Barnes def. Verity Crawley, 214 - 194Final: Josie Barnes def. Kayla Smith, 236 - 191 Match 1: Rocio Restrepo def. Nora Johansson, 215 - 209 Match 1: Match 2: Verity Crawley def. Rocio Restrepo, 212 - 193 Match 2: Semifinal: Josie Barnes def. Verity Crawley, 214 - 194 Semifinal: Final: Josie Barnes def. Kayla Smith, 236 - 191 Final:

After four rounds of qualifying at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, the field at the 2025 PWBA Anniversary Open has been cut to the top five players who will advance to Sunday’s televised stepladder finals at the Resch Center. Kayla Smith of Rockford, Illinois, will make her first stepladder finals appearance as she claimed the No. 1 seed after an outstanding final round, averaging over 265 across six games. Her block of 1,593 was the second-highest six-game series on the PWBA Tour since its relaunch in 2015, just two pins shy of Breanna Clemmer’s 1,595 at the 2022 St. Petersburg-Clearwater Open. Josie Barnes of Hermitage, Tennessee, who led the standings through all previous rounds, will enter as the No. 2 seed. She’s seeking her second title of the year after winning the 2025 USBC Queens. who led the standings through all previous rounds who led the standings through all previous rounds Verity Crawley of England took the No. 3 position, returning to the PWBA stepladder finals for the first time since 2023. Nora Johansson impressed with a massive climb from 27th to 2nd in Round 3 and held her ground on Friday to lock in the No. 4 seed for the televised finals. This marks her first career appearance in a PWBA televised final. Rocio Restrepo of Colombia rounds out the top five. Full results Full results Live CBS Sports Network broadcast of the PWBA Anniversary Open begins Sunday, July 13, at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Sweden’s Nora Johansson has made history at the 2025 Norwegian Open in Oslo, securing the European Bowling Tour title with a 229–191 victory over fellow Swede Carl Eklund in the championship match.With this result, Johansson became the first female bowler to win a EBT stop since 2019, when Cynthia Duca of Malta won the Dimitris Karetsos Tournament in Greece.Johansson also became the first female bowler ever to win Norwegian Open. Johansson, a two-handed player, began her run in qualification where she finished in 15th place. On Sunday, she gained momentum and finished first in Final Step 3, and then later earned her the No. 2 seed for the stepladder finals. In the semifinal, she faced Norway’s Christer Åker and came out on top in a close contest, 194–184. She then went on to defeat Eklund in the final to claim the trophy. For her victory, Johansson was awarded 50,000 Norwegian Kroner, which is approximately 4,200 euro.

Sweden has officially named its national bowling team for the upcoming 2025 IBF World Championships. National team coatch Robert Andersson and assictant coach Louise Sonne has selected six men and six women to represent the country. The men’s roster features Pontus Andersson, James Blomgren, Robin Ilhammar, Markus Jansson, Joachim Karlsson, and Jesper Svensson. On the women’s side, the team consists of Anna Andersson, Anneli Blomqvist, Hanna Engberg, Josefin Hermansson, Nora Johansson, and Victoria Johansson. Sweden did not participate in the 2023 IBF World Championships due to uncertainty around the event, but the country enjoyed major success at the 2021 edition in Dubai, winning seven medals including two gold. The 2025 IBF World Championships will feature singles, doubles, trios, and team of five events, gathering the best bowlers from around the world in Hong Kong. Competition is set for November 24 to December 5.In June, the Finnish Bowling Association has also announced the men’s and women’s national teams for the IBF World Championships 2025. also announced the men’s and women’s national teams

PBA Hall of Famer Sean Rash ended the 2025 PBA Tour season by winning his 18thcareer title in Helsingborg, Sweden on Sunday night. This marked his first PBATour title in four years since his 2021 PBA Chesapeake Open win.Ihave to tell you, fellow reader, that moments before the first match playround, a strange feeling wouldn’t let me go that Rash might go all the way tothe title. The idea was based more on feel than on solidarguments, but seeing how Rash was comfortable on a very simple, yet,demandingoil patternwe've been used to see 10-15 years ago, only strengthened that feeling.Rashseemed to be enjoying the conditions on the lanes. Even though he did not winany squad, he was scoring well right from the beginning, eventually earning abye to Final Step 2 after his second try on the lanes with 1,367 total.WhenI shared the idea with my colleagues, they nodded that they had the samefeeling. Rash’s calmness clearly showed he had found somethingothers didn’t. Plus, with his experience, he avoided the bad decisions,unnecesarry bal change and mistakes. It didn’t take long for the scoreboard toreflect it. What once was just a feeling started to take shapewhen Rash successfully passed both match play rounds, defeating Finland’sKaaron Salomaa 606-567 and later England’s Raymond Teece to advance to thefinal four. oil pattern Semifinal: Rash vs Purches Even without strikes, Purches managed to build a lead to the ninth frame. Thefeeling about Rash’s title started to fade. The veteran struck in the ninthand tenth frames to keep his hopes alive, but all Nate needed was a mark.Thefirst shot went way high, leaving the 3-6-9-10. Nate looked devastated, butCristian Azcona, sitting in the crowd, was quick to calculate that Nate neededa mark and shouted to Nate to calm down and take the spare.Natefired. The ball went right through the 3 and 6 pins, knocked down the 7, butthe 10 pin stayed. The crowd sighed as Nate’s dreams of playing for his firstPBA Tour title shattered in the most brutal way possible. Semifinal: Anderson vs Rissanen “Pretty cool,” Juho Rissanen said, summing up his feelings after defeatingAndrew Anderson to advance to the finals against Rash. Injury Almost Cost a Title “This one’s for the old guys, I guess,” Rash said claiming the trophy.Rightafter the win, Rash sat in a chair to absorb the moment. From the crowd, KyleTroup handed him a phone - on the line was the one person Rash most wanted toshare the victory with: his wife.“My anxiety started to take overmy mind. I called my wife, and she said, ‘Mind over matter. You got this, dowhat you can,’” Rash recalled claiming the trophy.For his triumph,Rash collected 165,000 SEK (about $17,500 USD).The award ceremonyfeatured Storm Products Inc. CEO Barbara Chrisman and President Tyler Jensen.Given that Storm and Rash parted ways earlier this year after his complaintregarding a vaping incident, receiving the prize and trophy from companyleaders added another layer to the moment.On his way to claim thetrophy, Rash embraced each tournament official, but when it came time toreceive the trophy from Tyler Jensen, the moment was noticeably more formalthan the rest of the celebrations. There’s a lot of talk around Rash as a player and as a human. You might lovehim or hate him, but Rash has bowled here in Europe for more than two decades,including numerous competitions at the Super Six Tour here in the early 2000s,showing how much it means to him to bowl not only in the U.S., where he nowhas 18 PBA Tour titles, but also in Europe. That is why he is in the Hall ofFame.

We’re down to the Final Four at the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters.After a tense quarterfinal round on a demanding pattern, thesemifinals are set. Nate Purches will face Sean Rashand Finland's Juho Rissanen will stand against Andrew Anderson. Nate Purches will face Sean Rash Juho Rissanen will stand against Andrew Anderson Quarterfinal highlights told the story of fine margins and late swings.Purches closed out Alec Keplinger,595–571. Rissanenedged Ethan Fiore by just five pins,606–601. Meanwhile,Anderson advanced convincingly over Joachim Karlsson,688–550, and Rashsurvived a thriller against Raymond Teece,586–584.With two Americans, a Finn, and an American who competes inSweden’s Elitserien, the semifinal mix blends tour pedigree with localfamiliarity. One game now separates each bowler from the title match atOlympia Bowling.The semifinals should start at 7:30PM CET. FollowBowlingLife for updates straight from Helsingborg!Tune in live ontheStorm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel. 595–571 606–601 688–550 586–584 Storm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel

We’re down to eight at the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters. A Round of 16 packed with upsets and razor-thin finishes set a compelling quarterfinal slate at Olympia Bowling. No past champion reached the quarterfinals, guaranteeing a first-time winner this year. After last year’s all-Swedish semifinals, only Joachim Karlsson remains from the home nation. Even though only one Swede made it to the quarterfinals, with Karlsson meeting Andrew Anderson - who competes in Sweden’s Elitserien - the home crowd is assured at least one local favorite in the semifinals. The quarterfinal field is led by five Americans, joined by one player each from Sweden, Finland, and England. Quarterfinal matchups:Alec Keplinger vs Nate PurchesEthan Fiore vs Juho RissanenJoachim Karlsson vs Andrew AndersonSean Rash vs Raymond Teece Quarterfinal matchups: Round of 16 results:No. 16 seed Alec Keplinger defeated No. 1 Ryan Barnes, 655–639.No. 2 Ethan Fiore defeated No. 15 Nora Johansson, 700–547.No. 3 Joachim Karlsson defeated No. 14 François Lavoie, 612–608.No. 4 Sean Rash defeated No. 13 Kaaron Salomaa, 606–567.No. 12 Raymond Teece defeated No. 5 Markus Jansson, 592–583.No. 6 Andrew Anderson defeated No. 11 Justin Knowles, 616–551.No. 7 Juho Rissanen defeated No. 10 Peter Hellström, 563–561.No. 9 Nate Purches defeated No. 8 Thomas Larsen, 653–611. Round of 16 results: Quarterfinals and semifinals feature three-game total pinfall in this phase, followed by a single-game final for the title. Watch live on the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel.All the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters pictures can be found here. Storm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel.

Match play is set at the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters, the PBA Tour’s only titlestop outside the United States.Ryan Barnes paced the field inFinal Step 2 with a confident 1,351 and draws former Wichita State teammate, No. 16 seed  Alec Keplinger in the match play. Ethan Fiore, who spent muchof the qualification at the top, secured the No. 2 seed and will face Sweden’sNora Johansson - the only woman through to Final Step 2. Round of 16 pairings: No. 1 Ryan Barnes vs No. 16 Alec Keplinger; No. 2 Ethan Fiore vs No. 15Nora Johansson;No. 3 Joachim Karlsson vs No. 14 François Lavoie;No.4 Sean Rash vs No. 13 Kaaron Salomaa; No. 5 Markus Jansson vs No. 12Raymond Teece; No. 6 Andrew Anderson vs No. 11 Justin Knowles;No.7 Juho Rissanen vs No. 10 Peter Hellström; No. 8 Thomas Larsen vs No. 9Nate Purches.Match play features three-game total-pinfall matchesin the Round of 16 and quarterfinals, followed by single-game semifinals and asingle-game title match.All rounds stream live on theStorm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel. Storm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel

The final phase of the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters - the PBA Tour’s only eventoutside the United States - opened Sunday morning with 30 players bowling afive-game scratch block to determine 15 qualifiers for Final Step 2, wherethey join the top 25 seeds.Last year’s semifinalist James Blomgren set the pace at Olympia Bowling,posting 1,150 for five, sparked by a near-perfect 279 in Game 1. He followedwith 252, 211, 183, 225 to close the block on top.

After Saturday’s final four squads, qualifying at the Storm Lucky LarsenMasters is officially complete, with 55 players advancing to Sunday’s finals.With the last chance to improve position, the intensity jumped andre-entries surged, as bowlers fought for byes and final spots on a long,demanding pattern that has rewarded disciplined moves through transition andkept scores honest all week. Friday ended with astatement from Trevor Roberts. A late addition from the waiting list, he slipped into the final spot ofSquad 22 and delivered 1,444, surpassing previous leader Ethan Fiore’s 1,393by 51 pins and becoming the first to break 1,400. statement from Trevor Roberts eader Ethan Fiore’s 1,393 Saturday morning brought another push: Finland’s Niko Oksanen opened with anear-perfect 299 and finished on 1,404, climbing to second overall andbecoming just the second bowler to jump over the +200 mark for six games. In the day’s second squad, 2022 Storm Lucky Larsen Masters champion MathiasAnkerdal of Denmark posted 1,324, which proved enough to earn a bye straightto Final Step 2 on Sunday. Then, with only two squads remaining,the leaderboard flipped again. Kyle Troup - who arrived inHelsingborg straight from the aisle of his wedding - produced a sensational1,463 to set a new qualifying high. Fans instantly noticed a small face jewelhe wore during the block; Troup said it was a gift from Chase Nadeau’sdaughter, Skylar, and was sure it brought a little magic at just the righttime. Closing out the day,2023 Storm Lucky Larsen Masters champion AJ Johnsonwon the final squad with 1,309, securing 31st and a spot in the top 40. 2023 Storm Lucky Larsen Masters champion AJ Johnson Thedefending championand 2023 runner-up Jesper Svensson finished in the 75th place with 1,254 totaland did not make it to the finals.Full advancers list can be foundhere. defending champion Full advancers list can be foundhere. here. A total of 40 players qualify through the general standings, with another 15spots earned via the Early Bird, Seniors, U21, Women, High Game, and as one ofthree PBA Regional stop winners. The field now moves to Sunday’s finals: the top 25 advance directly to FinalStep 2, while the remaining 30 bowl a five-game scratch block in Final Step 1starting at 8:00 AM to decide the 15 who move on. In Final Step 2,40 players bowl six games scratch to determine the top 16. Those16 then bowl one three-game total-pinfall match in the round of 16 and thequarterfinals to decide the four semifinalists, and single-game matches in thesemifinals and final will determine the champion and award the PBA Tourtitle.The full finals will stream free on theStorm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel. This year’s event has drawn more than 360 bowlers from 25countries and features a prize fund exceeding $136,000. It remains the onlyopportunity outside the United States to win a PBA Tour title. Storm Lucky Larsen Masters YouTube channel

On Monday, the European Bowling Federation (EBF) confirmedit will drop the 78D hardness rule for the European Bowling Tour (EBT). The change starts with the 2026 EBT season and the 2025–26 EBTYouth season. All IBF/USBC-approved balls, including high performance urethaneand urethane-like bowling balls, will be allowed at every EBT stop.Meanwhile, PBA-sanctioned events on European soil will continue tofollow PBA rules. it will drop the 78D hardness rule for the European Bowling Tour (EBT) On EBT, the optional 78D rule lastedonly one season. Allowing each event to adopt the 78D rule did not deliver the expectedresult. The EBT calendar shrank by more than half, and organizers blamed therule for fewer entries. only one season In an interview with Erikas Jansonas ofBowlingLife, EBF President Valgeir Guðbjartsson said the optional rule had astronger negative effect than expected. “When we made the 78D rule optional for organizers last year, we hoped itwould not negatively affect EBT. Unfortunately, the number of tournamentsdropped significantly — from 14 in 2024 to just 6 in 2025. In several cases,organizers cited the optional nature of the rule as a reason for notparticipating. Additionally, we faced criticism for deviating from IBF'sstandard rules regarding bowling balls.” Asked what outcome the EBF expects now from removing the 78D rule, he pointedto rebuilding the calendar and stability.“EBF does hope thattournaments will be return to EBT and it can continue to grow.” After EBF's decision, any ball on theUSBC Approved Ball Listwill be eligible for use, including urethanes softer than 78D. USBC Approved Ball List Meanwhile, in the United States, discussions about urethane governance havebeen in the headlines over the past month.On July 23,USBC released an official statementexpressing increasing concerns about the ongoing use of urethane bowling ballsin certified competition.USBC then surveyed bowlersabout potential changes and now and majority wants change. Eventhough USBC will probably take totally different path on urethanes, EBFPresident said the systems remain aligned as long as ball approvals areunchanged. “USBC, as part of IBF, has not taken a differentdirection. They continue to manage the approved ball lists and checks. As longas this remains unchanged, IBF — and therefore EBF — will follow USBC's leadon this matter.” USBC released an official statement USBC then surveyed bowlers USBC’s Equipment Specifications Committee plans to meet in late August orearly September 2025 to provide a structured solution. Until then, it’sunclear whether ball changes will affect the Approved Ball List or only thenational tournament rulebook.When asked why the EBF did not waitfor the USBC Equipment Specifications Committee decision, Guðbjartsson citedEBT scheduling needs. “We could not wait longer, as we have toprepare the EBT for next year.”

Following a public statement from the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) confirming that it is in advanced talks to ban urethane bowling balls in certified competition, reactions have started to come out from within the bowling community. public statement public statement in advanced talks to ban urethane bowling balls in advanced talks to ban urethane bowling balls Brunswick, one of the leading bowling equipment manufacturers, confirmed it has been in contact with USBC since April regarding potential changes to ball specifications. These discussions are part of USBC’s wider review process, which includes input from technical experts, manufacturers, and stakeholders. In an interview with Erikas Jansonas from BowlingLife, Jordan Vanover, VP International at Brunswick Bowling Products, LLC, said the company has been in ongoing discussions with USBC in recent months, actively sharing feedback and addressing the concerns raised by the organization. “USBC contacted us in late April requesting feedback on potential changes to bowling ball specifications, and we have maintained open communications with the USBC over the past few months,” Mr. Vanover said “We have listened to the USBC concerns and had the opportunity to share our thoughts and ideas.” In those imput exchanges, Brunswick made it clear that it does not support a ban on urethane. The company believes urethane balls play an important role for many bowlers, especially in more demanding lane conditions. “We do not agree with the idea of banning urethane balls,” Vanover stated. “These balls are an important tool for many bowlers who use them to achieve more controllable ball motion on challenging lane patterns.” Brunswick’s product lineup includes several urethane balls under its umbrella, including the most popular one - Hammer’s Purple Pearl Urethane. A full ban would have financial consequences for the company. “The elimination of urethane balls would have a measurable impact on our sales,” Vanover noted. In recent months, there has been speculation that manufacturers have slowed or stopped urethane development due to the pottential USBC urethane ban. Brunswick, however, denied this connection. “The urethane ball released in March 2024 was not connected to the ongoing USBC discussions,” said Vanover. While USBC has not yet announced a final decision, the topic remains one of the most widely discussed in the bowling community today. BowlingLife has been in contact with USBC officials, but at this time, the organization has no further comment beyond what was published in its social media post on July 23. USBC has also launched a public survey asking for input on how urethane bowling balls should be handled in certified competitions. USBC has also launched a public survey USBC has also launched a public survey All feedback gathered so far, along with any new responses, will be reviewed by the Equipment Specifications Committee at its next meeting, set for late August or early September 2025.

Darren Tang, a PBA Tour title holder since his win at the 2021 Bowlerstore.com Classic, has officially written his name into the PBA record books with one exceptional achievement. After years of competing as a one-handed player, Tang made a bold move in late 2024 by switching to a two-handed delivery. Many fans assumed it was just for content - since Tang is the one of the biggest bowling content creators on YouTube - but it wasn’t. He bowled his first tournament using the two-handed style in November and fully committed to the change in February 2025. biggest bowling content creators on YouTube biggest bowling content creators on YouTube This weekend, his efforts fully paid off as he won the PBA Santa Maria Open in the West Region. With this victory, Tang becomes the first bowler ever to win PBA titles using both one-handed and two-handed techniques. Following the victory, Darren Tang spoke with Erikas Jansonas from BowlingLife about his newest achievement, the challenges he faced during the transition to two-handed, and how he sees his future on tour. As most things in life, best of them comes unexpectedly. That happened and this time. When asked what it meant for him to become the first player in PBA history to win titles using both styles, Darren said that he didn’t pursue the distinction on purpose, but acknowledged it was still a special moment. “Always cool to have the distinction to be the first to do something. It’s not something that I thought too much about,” Tang stated. “I just want to keep getting better to give myself the best chance possible to win again on the tour.” “Always cool to have the distinction to be the first to do something. It’s not something that I thought too much about,” Tang stated. “I just want to keep getting better to give myself the best chance possible to win again on the tour.” Even though many say that two-handed bowling is a kind of cheat code, it’s still difficult to learn - especially well enough to win a PBA title. When explaining the technical challenges that came with switching styles, Tang shared that one old habit in particular was especially tough to break. “The hardest habit to break for me is the internal rotation of my shoulder. I had this move as a one hander, and it would cause misses to the left and is more or less a power leak," Tang explained. "It’s exaggerated bowling two handed because of the position I have to rotate around now. If I don’t keep it in check, my elbow flies around the ball much worse than a good shot.” “The hardest habit to break for me is the internal rotation of my shoulder. I had this move as a one hander, and it would cause misses to the left and is more or less a power leak," Tang explained. "It’s exaggerated bowling two handed because of the position I have to rotate around now. If I don’t keep it in check, my elbow flies around the ball much worse than a good shot.” Starting over with a brand-new style is never easy—it takes time to develop, and there’s always some doubt. For pros like Tang, who need to perform just to make a living, the risk is even bigger. He admitted that the initial decision to switch wasn’t easy. But once he fully committed to going two-handed, he never looked back. “I haven’t doubted the switch. I did doubt switching initially. I think the hardest part in anything someone does is start. I understood that this would take some time. I told myself that I need to be okay with not cashing for the rest of the season to develop this skill. Once I committed, I never looked back. I was extremely fortunate to pick up on it much faster than I anticipated.” “I haven’t doubted the switch. I did doubt switching initially. I think the hardest part in anything someone does is start. I understood that this would take some time. I told myself that I need to be okay with not cashing for the rest of the season to develop this skill. Once I committed, I never looked back. I was extremely fortunate to pick up on it much faster than I anticipated.” Tang noticed that he strikes more often with the two-handed style, but some old habits of one-handed style still sneak into his current technique - reminding us that bowling is always changing and adapting. “I have committed to both styles. I believe the optimal way to throw strikes is with two hands. I also believe that the optimal way to shoot spares is with the thumb in. So that is what I will be committing to for the foreseeable future.” “I have committed to both styles. I believe the optimal way to throw strikes is with two hands. I also believe that the optimal way to shoot spares is with the thumb in. So that is what I will be committing to for the foreseeable future.”

At the 2025 European Men’s Bowling Championships in Aalborg, Denmark, Team Italy delivered one of its strongest performances in decades.Gli Azzurri claimed medals in Singles, Doubles, the Team event, and All-Events, and came close in Trios — missing the podium by just 9 pins. Singles Singles Doubles Doubles Trios Trios When many powerhouses struggled to find a game plan on a challenging oil pattern — one that some players called the toughest ever seen at the European Championships — Italy’s national team obviously thrived, scoring well above the EMC average. Much of that Italy's success was led by Antonino Fiorentino, who, in addition to bronze medals in Doubles and Team event, also claimed gold in All-Event and Singles, becoming the only Italian bowler to ever win European titles in Singles, Doubles, and Trios. Fiorentino previously won Doubles gold with Nicola Pangolini in 2023 and Trios gold in 2019 and 2022 alongside Pangolini and Alessandro Santu. won Doubles gold with Nicola Pangolini in 2023 won Doubles gold with Nicola Pangolini in 2023 BowlingLife caught up with Antonino Fiorentino after the event to hear how Italy navigated the challenging lane conditions, adapted their strategy mid-tournament, and came just one brave and timely decision away from earning medals in every event at the EMC 2025. Reading the Lanes, Not Just the Pattern Sheet Fiorentino said he noticed early on that playing traditional lines near the second or third arrow wouldn’t be an option this year at the European Men's Bowling Championships, and that some non-standard adjustments would be necessary. “I noticed from official practice that big asymmetrical balls didn’t hold up well on the fresh — maybe for one game. After that, the best look I had was moving in and playing really close to the pocket with a forward roll and a low-flaring ball. For me, that was the Envy Tour.” “I noticed from official practice that big asymmetrical balls didn’t hold up well on the fresh — maybe for one game. After that, the best look I had was moving in and playing really close to the pocket with a forward roll and a low-flaring ball. For me, that was the Envy Tour.” His usual go-to ball didn’t look as promising. For transition, he also avoided fast-response asymmetric shapes like the Brunswick Hypnotize, opting instead for his Track Theorem. “My benchmark ball — the Trouble Maker Solid — just looked worse overall. For the transition, I also decided to go with my Theorem instead of the Hypnotize, for the same reason. I noticed that big, quick-asym balls weren’t effective there either.” “My benchmark ball — the Trouble Maker Solid — just looked worse overall. For the transition, I also decided to go with my Theorem instead of the Hypnotize, for the same reason. I noticed that big, quick-asym balls weren’t effective there either.” While urethane bowling balls had repeatedly shown success at past European Championships, using them wasn’t part of Italy’s original strategy this time — but as Fiorentino noted, in Europe, you always have to be prepared to both use urethane and face opponents who do. “We all picked one urethane ball each, but we didn’t really test them during practice. It was more of a defensive move — you never know what can happen in Europe with the Purples.” “We all picked one urethane ball each, but we didn’t really test them during practice. It was more of a defensive move — you never know what can happen in Europe with the Purples.” Like a Finely Tuned Stradivarius Violin In the early stages of the tournament, everything was falling into place for Antonino Fiorentino. He opened his six-game block with a 211 and kept building momentum, finishing strong with a 269 in the final game — a performance that secured him third place in Singles qualification. It was clear that his equipment choices were spot on and performing exactly as expected. “In Singles and Doubles, my arsenal worked perfectly. I saw exactly what I had anticipated during practice. Shot-making was obviously crucial, but if you had the right types of balls and played the correct part of the lane in the right way, you could still score.” “In Singles and Doubles, my arsenal worked perfectly. I saw exactly what I had anticipated during practice. Shot-making was obviously crucial, but if you had the right types of balls and played the correct part of the lane in the right way, you could still score.” In the semifinal, Fiorentino rolled 246 and a dominant 277 in the final — beating two French bowlers with urethanes inside the lane. “In Singles I bowled against Valentin Saulnier and Gaëtan Mouveroux. They were both using the Purple Hammer playing inside. I used the Perfect Mindset against Valentin, and then switched to the Envy Tour against Gaëtan because that pair was slower. It was basically a shot-making contest — we didn’t really interfere with each other’s game. There were too few shots.”In Doubles, paired with Erik Davolio, Antonino Fiorentino finished third in qualification with a mutual 212.4 average. In the semifinal, they faced the same opponents — but this time, France’s urethane strategy proved more effective. Davolio scored 155, Fiorentino added 194, but it wasn’t enough to break through to the Doubles final. “In Singles I bowled against Valentin Saulnier and Gaëtan Mouveroux. They were both using the Purple Hammer playing inside. I used the Perfect Mindset against Valentin, and then switched to the Envy Tour against Gaëtan because that pair was slower. It was basically a shot-making contest — we didn’t really interfere with each other’s game. There were too few shots.” “They were able to migrate left faster than us and ended up breaking down our lines.” “They were able to migrate left faster than us and ended up breaking down our lines.” The Turning Point: France and Finland Change the Game After the Doubles block, things began to shift. France started playing urethane deep inside, around the fourth arrow — and it was clearly working. The French trio of Valentin Saulnier, Gaëtan Mouveroux, and Maxime Dubois averaged 218.7, leading the Trios qualification by more than 200 pins over their closest competitors. “We noticed that France was using Purples at the beginning of the block, and they were playing them inside — around the fourth arrow, keeping it tight to the pocket. That allowed them to score well as a team on the fresh. We decided to copy that strategy for the rest of the tournament, and it turned out to be a good choice. It was much easier than trying to use big asyms. I think we were the only team — maybe along with part of the Swedish team — who picked up on that.” “We noticed that France was using Purples at the beginning of the block, and they were playing them inside — around the fourth arrow, keeping it tight to the pocket. That allowed them to score well as a team on the fresh. We decided to copy that strategy for the rest of the tournament, and it turned out to be a good choice. It was much easier than trying to use big asyms. I think we were the only team — maybe along with part of the Swedish team — who picked up on that.” Another turning point in the competition came when Finland’s Niko Oksanen rolled a 1396 block using a Purple Hammer, playing on the outside part of the lane. His success sparked a wave of imitation — with more and more players, and in some cases entire teams, trying to replicate the strategy. While it paid off for some, like the Romanian national team, Fiorentino noted that for many others, it ended up doing more harm than good. like the Romanian national team like the Romanian national team “Sometimes there was more room than usual, but other times no room at all. The point is that many teams couldn’t get anything going inside, so they took the gamble and tried to copy that strategy. As a result, in Trios and Team, there was much more urethane going down the lanes. And if before I had just a small amount of miss-room to the right playing inside, urethane completely took that away — and scores dropped even further.” “Sometimes there was more room than usual, but other times no room at all. The point is that many teams couldn’t get anything going inside, so they took the gamble and tried to copy that strategy. As a result, in Trios and Team, there was much more urethane going down the lanes. And if before I had just a small amount of miss-room to the right playing inside, urethane completely took that away — and scores dropped even further.” A Crucial Adjustment By the time the Team event began, lane conditions had become much tighter due to the surge in urethane use. With miss-room shrinking, Fiorentino made a bold choice — instead of switching balls early, he decided to polish his Envy Tour. That little maneuver proved crucial and ultimately secured him the All-Events gold. “On the first day of the Team event, I noticed the lanes were tighter because of all this. So for the final block, I decided to polish my Envy Tour instead of switching too early to the Theorem. That ended up being the decisive move for my All-Events gold as I bowled 290 with it.” “On the first day of the Team event, I noticed the lanes were tighter because of all this. So for the final block, I decided to polish my Envy Tour instead of switching too early to the Theorem. That ended up being the decisive move for my All-Events gold as I bowled 290 with it.” The same strategy might have worked for the entire Italian team, but in the Team semifinals against Denmark, they opted to start with urethane — a decision that didn’t quite pay off. By the time they adjusted their approach, the momentum had already shifted, and it was too late to recover. “We wasted valuable practice time trying to make urethane work, and by the time we switched to reactive… they were already lined up and striking way more than we were.” “We wasted valuable practice time trying to make urethane work, and by the time we switched to reactive… they were already lined up and striking way more than we were.” A Little Too Late In the Masters, Fiorentino started as a No. 1 seed and skipped the first final step. In the final step 2, Fiorentino met No. 24 seed Iceland's Arnar David Jonsson, who previously defeated Sweden's Markus Jansson. As both players were throwing balls at the same part of the lane with similar ball’s Fiorentino was happy about this matchup. "It was a good matchup for me — we were playing the same part of the lane with similar balls (Envy Tour vs. Ion Pro), and I just outperformed him." "It was a good matchup for me — we were playing the same part of the lane with similar balls (Envy Tour vs. Ion Pro), and I just outperformed him." But then, Fiorentino's run came to an end against Denmark's Tim Stampe — a matchup that clashed stylistically. Italian knew righ from the beginning that this match will be a tough one. He lost the first nervous game 158-189. Pushed back against the wall and needing something fast, Fiorentino made a tactical shift to urethane in the next game but lacked reps in that part of the lane. “I got paired with Tim Stampe, which I wasn’t too happy about. He was using higher-flaring balls (900 Global Harsh Reality and Roto Grip Rockstar), which allowed him to play left of me and completely blow up my line. I think I made the right move at the start of Game 2, realizing that the only way to beat him was to use urethane outside. But I had literally never thrown a ball in that zone for the whole two weeks, so I didn’t have enough info or confidence to make it work.” “I got paired with Tim Stampe, which I wasn’t too happy about. He was using higher-flaring balls (900 Global Harsh Reality and Roto Grip Rockstar), which allowed him to play left of me and completely blow up my line. I think I made the right move at the start of Game 2, realizing that the only way to beat him was to use urethane outside. But I had literally never thrown a ball in that zone for the whole two weeks, so I didn’t have enough info or confidence to make it work.” Ironically, Stampe went on to lose the semifinal 2-0 (248–201, 234–169) to Maxime Dubois — who succeeded using urethane on the outside, the very strategy Fiorentino had turned to just a bit too late. Had he made the switch earlier, it might have led to yet another medal. Still, the Italian came remarkably close to achieving something rare at the European Championships: medaling in every single event.

This week, Sweden’s Rasmus Edvall made history by claiming his first Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour title at the PBA Scorpion Championship. He defeated Ryan Barnes, then Tobias Börding, EJ Tackett, and No. 1 seed Malaysia's Rafiq Ismail in the title match. PBA Scorpion Championship PBA Scorpion Championship His victory as a No. 5 seed marked one of the most remarkable comeback stories in recent PBA Tour history. For Rasmus, winning the title was always a childhood dream, but when the time came to face the pressure of the stepladder final, he approached the match with a focused mindset. “Of course I wanted to win, it’s one of my childhood dreams. But my mindset in the stepladder final, I took it match by match, frame by frame. If I had my focus on the win, I knew something bad could happen,” Rasmus shared with Erikas Jansonas from BowlingLife in an interview after the win. His strategy in the finals was one of simplicity. Rather than chasing the perfect shot, he knew that precision was key. “My plan for the matches was to be as simple as I could. I knew if I hunted the perfect line to get as many strikes as I could, I could also get many splits. If I left more than 2 pins after a shot, that could be trouble,” he explained. This approach helped him navigate the pressure, ensuring consistency throughout the matches. The finals weren’t without their difficulties, however. With many bowlers seeking their first-ever PBA Tour title, nerves were high. Under pressure, many mistakes were made—so many that some spectators even labeled the Scorpion Championship as one of the ugliest finals in history. “There were many debutants in the final, so most of us were a little bit nervous. The lanes were tricky, but the nervous players made it look trickier than what it was. A lot of grip pressure makes you often push the ball too far down the lane and miss inside the ideal line,” Rasmus recalled. Despite the challenges, his adaptability and poise kept him on track—he started the stepladder finals with not taking the 6-10 spare but stayed clean for the remaining 39 frames he bowled that night. After securing the victory, the reality of the moment still hadn’t fully sunk in. Rasmus couldn't believe what he had just accomplished, so his teammates from IS Göta, who had cheered him on from the front row, were quick to remind him of the significance of the achievement.“They tried to tell me what I had done and what it meant. I couldn’t believe it myself. It was a huge accomplishment that I still haven’t realized,” Rasmus admitted. As for the celebration, Rasmus kept it low-key, opting for a quiet dinner with his teammates. “We had a dinner with most of the boys, but nothing really exciting. Might be a little celebration when I get home,” he said, hinting at a bigger celebration when he returns to Sweden. Knowing the parties Helsingborg (the city in Sweden where IS Göta is based) is capable of, the author of this article predicts a night to remember. Looking ahead, Rasmus is already setting his sights on new challenges. The first one: a road trip across America to Allen Park, Michigan, where the next PBA Tour stop will take place. “This week we are heading to Detroit by car for the USBC Masters. After that, we will finally fly home. I will also play in the PBA Players Championship and the PBA Tournament of Champions. With this win, new doors have opened up for me with the PBA Tournament of Champions. It feels really cool to be able to participate in that prestigious tournament!” Both PBA Scorpion and Viper Championship titles were won by international players, with Darren Ong winning just a day after. The WSOB XVI continues today with the PBA Chameleon Championship, with stepladder finals airing live on FS1. International viewers can follow the action on BowlTV. Darren Ong winning just a day after Darren Ong winning just a day after BowlTV BowlTV

In January, the Brunswick Ballmaster Open 2025 in Finland brought together some of the best bowling talent from around the world. Among the familiar faces in the crowd was Dave Wodka, a name well known to bowling fans, especially across the Pond. Wodka etched his name into the sport’s history as a PBA Tour titleholder after winning the 1999 Greater Detroit Open. Today, Wodka occasionally bowls on the PBA50 Tour, but his focus has recently shifted to bringing decades of on-lane experience into the business side of the game as international sales manager for Brunswick Bowling. Brunswick Ballmaster Open 2025 Brunswick Ballmaster Open 2025 The Evolution of Bowling: More Knowledge, More Power As Wodka watched the crown jewel of all Brunswick-sponsored tournaments—the Ballmaster Open—unfold at Tali Bowl, with many young European talents firing big numbers, he reflected on how the sport has evolved since his own playing days. “I think the biggest thing is knowledge,” he explained in an exclusive interview with Erikas Jansonas from BowlingLife. “Whether it be knowledge about lane conditions, lane machines, oils, all the way to coaching, fitness, and bowling balls. There’s so much more knowledge available now for the kids that are coming up. Obviously, two-handed bowling has kind of revolutionized the game. It’s not going anywhere, so people who don’t like it just won’t like it. It is what it is.” Seeing young bowlers accomplish incredible feats—like firing a 300 with a two-handed backup ball, something unheard of in 1999—Wodka acknowledged that younger players have taken the game to another level. firing a 300 with a two-handed backup ball firing a 300 with a two-handed backup ball “It’s just a different environment, competing against all these younger kids. My ball doesn’t go through the pins quite as well as theirs anymore. These kids are bigger, stronger. They have more knowledge, they’ve studied bowling balls. And I think it’s just a combination of all of that.” Bowling Now is too Easy? With 21 perfect games recorded during the tournament, the conversation naturally turned to whether today’s players had cracked the code. The eternal question—Is it sheer talent, or are the oil patterns more forgiving than before? “It’s a combination of the two,” Wodka said. “I wouldn’t say that the oil pattern is ‘easy,’ but it’s favorable for good scores if you’re throwing it well. There were plenty of people who didn’t have good scores. But they’ve [the organizers] created a very favorable lane pattern where those who are bowling well can string a lot of strikes. Their maintenance on the machines and lanes is top-notch, and that makes a difference, too, when it comes to pin carry, topography of the lanes, and all kinds of other different things.” A 30-Year Bond: Brunswick and Ballmaster Brunswick’s collaboration with Ballmaster stretches back over three decades, something Wodka was proud to highlight. “I just started as the international sales manager, so I don’t know all of the history. But I do know Brunswick has been a sponsor of the Ballmaster Open for more than 30 years. Done in conjunction with our distributor here, Sami [Heinilä] at Oy Bowling Ab, they just do a phenomenal job across Finland. The Brunswick brand is very strong in Finland, and it makes sense for us to collaborate with this facility and this event and show our support for the people here.” Many, including the author of this article, might wonder: what can be so special about a bowling alley? But only someone who has never been to Tali Bowl would ask that question. The moment you climb the stairs and take in the sheer scale of a real bowling stadium—featuring 36 top-class Brunswick Pro Anvilane lanes in a spacious, arena-like building—it leaves you speechless. At least for a moment or two. As Wodka walked into the legendary venue, one detail immediately caught his eye. “Obviously, the facility is beautiful, but what stood out to me first was the flags of all the past winners and how they recognize them. I think that’s phenomenal. Even to the point where they announce any past winner in the building before every squad, whether they’re bowling or not. I think that’s really cool—they honor those who have supported this event for years. I would equate getting a flag here to the European version of getting a flag on the PBA Tour. This is the largest event in Europe.” The Bohn Legacy One of the most talked-about storylines at this year’s Ballmaster was the presence of Parker Bohn III and his son, Brandon. Parker, a Ballmaster champion in 2016, competed alongside his son, continuing a multi-generational bowling legacy. Wodka, who had the same flight as Parker from Frankfurt, chuckled at the memory of their trip. “He slept the whole flight,” Wodka joked. “I haven’t had a whole lot of time to talk to him about his win here, but I know he tries to come to this event every year. I know this event is very important to him. He took his son with him this year.” While Parker’s experience helped him stay competitive—finishing 11th at the Brunswick Ballmaster Open 2025—Brandon’s run ended in qualification. But Wodka is optimistic about Brandon’s future, stating that this is just the beginning of his journey. “Brandon will have his day,” Wodka assured. “Brandon’s very good. I think this is the first overseas event that he’s bowled. He had a lot of good squads; he just didn’t quite get to the cut. But he did have a 300 game, and that was very cool.” So did Parker’s knowledge outweigh Brandon’s raw power? “His knowledge—and you’re talking about Parker, who is arguably a top-five player in PBA history. There is another level when you get to players like Parker. We’re talking about Norm Duke, Pete Weber, Earl Anthony. That’s an elite group. There’s a whole bunch of us below that who had success on the tour, but we’re not at that level.” Big Industry Changes From a Brand's Perspective Beyond the competition, the bowling industry itself has been undergoing significant changes, with Brunswick often at the center of major business moves—whether it’s rule changes regarding urethane bowling balls or attempting to acquire big distributors. rule changes regarding urethane bowling balls rule changes regarding urethane bowling balls attempting to acquire big distributors attempting to acquire big distributors “As with any big business acquisition, there are hurt feelings. And unfortunately, there’s a lot of hurt feelings when something like that happens—on one side or the other. From a Brunswick standpoint, we look at it purely as a business decision. If we didn’t think it was good for the sport, we wouldn’t do it.” Wodka acknowledged the split reactions such moves often generate. “People will agree with it, people won’t agree with it. Again, you’re always going to have two sides. There’s no decision we ever make—small or big—that makes everybody happy. That’s just life in general. You can’t make everyone happy all the time.” What remains unchanged, he emphasized, is Brunswick’s dedication to bowling’s growth. “Brunswick is committed to the sport of bowling, and Brunswick is committed to making the sport of bowling better and helping it thrive. The moves we make are only geared towards that. They’re never personal.”

After a thrilling win at the 2025 PBA Delaware Classic, Graham Fach is back in the winner’s circle—this time, with a renewed sense of confidence. The Canadian bowler, who had gone nearly nine years since his first PBA title, made history once again by defeating Jakob Butturff in the finals, 277-200. It’s a moment of victory made even sweeter by his early-season success, including qualifying for Team Canada. thrilling win at the 2025 PBA Delaware Classic thrilling win at the 2025 PBA Delaware Classic In an exclusive interview with BowlingLife, Fach shared his emotions and the mindset that helped him through the finals, where he posted impressive scores of 256, 249, and 277 in three consecutive matches. The start of the year has been one for the books for Fach. He not only qualified for Team Canada, but he also claimed the first PBA Tour title of the season in front of a packed crowd. Reflecting on the busy start, Fach expressed how proud he is to represent his home country on the world stage. “Qualifying for Team Canada is always something that I take pride in. We have a talented group of guys who are all excited to compete together for gold medals,” said Fach. “It’s been a busy start to the year. I’ve been fortunate enough to come out ahead in these first few events. I feel as though I’m on top of my game and I can’t ask for a better start to the year.” Fach's victory at the Delaware Classic was marked by impressive consistency and composure. In the finals, he shot scores of 256, 249, and an incredible 277 to claim the title. His mental approach to the game and his ability to adjust on the fly were critical to his success on the TV lanes. “I needed to stay concentrated on what the lanes were telling me to do and not getting caught up in transition,” he explained. “It’s harder under the bright lights of tv to remain as mentally strong compared to qualifying and matchplay only because of the additional distractions that come with bowling in a crowd setting.” Fach’s pre-shot routine became his anchor throughout the tournament, allowing him to stay focused and in control despite the high pressure. “I focused on my pre shot routines and accepting that I am only able to control what I can control and give each shot my best effort,” he continued. “Fortunately the pins fell my way and I was able to come away with the win.” But there was no time for big celebrations as the PBA Tour season continues with the first major tournament of the 2025 season – the U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling! in Indianapolis. Fach is currently 13th in a 108-player field, with a total score of 3,413 after 16 games of qualifying. The 2025 U.S. Open is a joint effort between the United States Bowling Congress and the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America. It is recognized as a major event on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour and remains one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. Live broadcast can be found throughout qualifying and match play on BowlTV. Full results can be found on bowl.com BowlTV BowlTV bowl.com bowl.com

The atmosphere at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong was electric, with custom-built lanes setting the stage for one of the most thrilling IBF World Cups in recent memory. Rafiq Ismail raised his hands in triumph after his final shot, as the entire Team Malaysia rushed to the approach to embrace him. Rafiq, alongside his teammates Tun Hakim, Timmy Tan, and Ahmad Muaz, defeated Puerto Rico 3-2 to claim the IBF World Cup 2025 title. Malaysia's bowling team truly shone, securing four medals—two gold and two silver—and Rafiq Ismail played a key role, becoming the Team champion and Singles vice-champion. Rafiq Ismail, still basking in the glory of the moment, shared his thoughts with BowlingLife.eu after the Teams event. BowlingLife.eu BowlingLife.eu “We broke records as the most successful country at the Asian Championship last September, and now we continue to deliver at the world level as well,” Rafiq Ismail said. "We are super happy with our achievements so far and hope the rhythm goes smoothly for the World Championships too." The celebration after the win was special, because for some of them it was the first accomplishment on a world stage. “Since this was the first medal, and its gold, for Timmy Tan in world event, he offered us a round of 18 holes of golf and we’re all happy to accept it,” he shared, laughing. The finals were held in a truly unique setting, with lanes specially built in the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. It was an unforgettable experience for the players. “The hospitality here was great,” Rafiq said. “t was a good experience. We enjoyed it. The spectators were more than what I expected.” As the dust settles on the tournament, Rafiq’s focus is already shifting to what comes next, but first of all - his family. “I am bowling in the PBA WSOB in March. For now, I will focus on practicing and spending more time with my family, especially my dad, who is critically ill. I will definitely be back for the World Championships in November," Rafiq said.