Korean bowler Ryu Seo-yeon is set to make history as the first Korean player to compete on the PWBA Tour in the United States.
As reported by Korea's Bowling In Magazine, The 39-year-old bowler will depart for the United States on April 22 and plans to compete in a series of PWBA events over the next two months.
"This is a path I have admired and dreamed of since my active career. Although there was a bit of a hiatus due to my retirement from the professional league and marriage, I am heading to the PWBA stage with the determination to take on the challenge before it is too late," Ryu said to the media. "As the first Korean to make this challenge, I cannot deny the pressure, but I am already looking forward to competing against world-class athletes. I am, of course, very excited about returning to active competition and making my debut on the American stage."
Although this will be her first appearance on the PWBA Tour, Ryu brings extensive international experience as a former Korean national team member with a strong record.
During her career, she won five gold medals at the World Championships and six gold medals at the Asian Games, including four titles at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.
Over the past five years, she has competed in international open tournaments in Korea and reached TV finals twice in 2024 and 2025. She will now compete on the PWBA Tour as a player affiliated with Storm.
Ryu is expected to participate in nine tournaments during her time in the United States, but first she will need to go through the PTQ.
The new PWBA season will begin on April 29 with the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open at The Cherry Bowl in Rockford, Illinois.
