The Doubles events at the IBF World Championships 2025 delivered another dramatic day in Hong Kong, highlighted by Romania’s historic triumph in the men’s division and Finland’s continued dominance in the women’s field.
Romania’s Mihai-Alin Dragnia and Mate Balazs-Becsi captured a landmark gold medal in Men’s Doubles, while Finland’s Essi Pakarinen and Peppi Konsteri secured Women’s Doubles gold — marking Finland’s third gold medal of the championships and their fourth medal overall.
Women's Division
In the women’s field, Finland added another major achievement to its already impressive week.Essi Pakarinen and Peppi Konsteri claimed the gold medal after a confident 2–0 (181-177, 230-213) win over Singapore’s Cherie Tan and Daphne Tan in the final.
The Finnish pair advanced from the semifinals with a 2–0 (230-203, 206-201) win over Singapore’s Shayna Ng and New Hui Fen, while the Tan sisters reached the final by defeating USA’s Jillian Martin and Julia Bond 2–1 (188-158, 188-220, 160-256).
The victory marks Essi Pakarinen’s second gold medal of the championships,
following her triumph in Women’s Singles.
Women’s Doubles – Medalists
Gold – Essi Pakarinen & Peppi Konsteri (Finland)Silver – Cherie Tan & Daphne Tan (Singapore)
Bronze – Jillian Martin & Julia Bond (USA), Shayna Ng & New Hui Fen (Singapore)
Men's Division
In the men’s event, Romania wrote a new chapter in its bowling history.
Mihai-Alin Dragnia and Mate Balazs-Becsi captured the nation’s first-ever World Championships gold in a flawless finals performance, defeating Germany’s Paul Purps and Dennis Gruenheid 2–0 (238-233, 215-179). The Romanian pair showed composure and consistency throughout the day, first overcoming Malaysia’s Muhammad Syazirol Shamsudin and Rafiq Ismail in a tense 2–1 (235-247, 235-221, 231-166) semifinal.
Germany reached the gold-medal match after a strong semifinal win over the Czech Republic’s Ondrej Trojek and Lukas Jelinek, earning a straight-games 2–0 (206-170, 3-219) victory. The Czechs and Malaysia's duo both secured bronze.
Men’s Doubles – Medalists
Gold – Mihai-Alin Dragnia & Mate Balazs-Becsi (Romania)Silver – Paul Purps & Dennis Gruenheid (Germany)
Bronze – Ondrej Trojek & Lukas Jelinek (Czech Republic), Muhammad Syazirol Shamsudin & Rafiq Ismail (Malaysia)
The IBF World Championships 2025 continue tomorrow with the start of the Trios qualification. Full results, live scores, and schedules are available at tournaments.bowlinglife.eu.
Official Schedule – IBF World Championships 2025
Monday, December 1
Men’s Trios QualifyingMen’s Trios Round 2
Tuesday, December 2
Women’s Trios QualifyingWomen’s Trios Round 2
Wednesday, December 3
Men and Women Team of Five QualifyingMen and Women Team of Five Round 2
Thursday, December 4 – Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Wanchai
Men and Women Trios Semifinals and FinalsFriday, December 5 – Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Wanchai
Men and Women Team of Five Semifinals and FinalsVictory Banquet at Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel
