The 2025 World Seniors Championships continued in Reno, Nevada, with the first medals awarded in Singles and Doubles. The competition, held at the National Bowling Stadium, gathered senior and grand senior bowlers from around the world to compete across four divisions – Senior Men, Senior Women, Grand Senior Men, and Grand Senior Women.
The Singles and Doubles qualification rounds took place on Friday and
Saturday, followed by Sunday’s medal rounds. The day also marked the start of
the team event, with the opening three-game block for both Senior Men and
Senior Women.
Senior Singles
In Senior Men’s Singles, John Janawicz of the United States captured the gold medal after defeating Adam Hayes of Australia 241–181 in the final. Janawicz advanced to the title match by defeating teammate Tom Hess 236–226 in the semifinals, while Hayes overcame Gery Verbruggen of Belgium 244–196. Hess and Verbruggen both received bronze medals.
The Senior Women’s Singles title went to Manuela Oing of Germany, who beat Alicia Marcano of Venezuela 201–190 in the final. In the semifinals, Oing rolled a strong 278–226 victory against Eiko Suzuki of Japan, while Marcano advanced with a narrow 182–178 win over Germany’s Michaela Göbel-Janka. Suzuki and Göbel-Janka earned bronze.
Senior Doubles
In Senior Men’s Doubles, Germany’s Bodo Konieczny and Michael Krämer won gold after defeating Italy’s Maurizio Celli and Marco Reviglio 380–369 in the final. Earlier, Konieczny and Krämer eliminated the American pair Parker Bohn III and Tom Hess 435–414, while Celli and Reviglio advanced by beating Chris Barnes and John Janawicz of the United States 439–382. The two U.S. teams shared bronze medals.
Senior Women’s Doubles produced an all-American gold medal match. Rina Sabo and Jodi Woessner claimed gold after defeating teammates Dana Ausec and Lynda Barnes 462–436 in a high-scoring final. In the semifinals, Sabo and Woessner defeated Reija Lundén and Jaana Taavitsainen of Finland 450–393, while Ausec and Barnes overcame Germany’s Martina Beckel and Michaela Göbel-Janka 445–372. Finland and Germany each secured bronze medals.
Grand Senior Singles
In the Grand Senior Singles divisions, Japan and Germany were the main contenders on the men’s side. The semifinals featured three Japanese bowlers and one German, ensuring at least one Japanese finalist. Germany’s Peter Knopp, who recently became a champion in BowlingGP France Senior tournament, advanced to the championship match after defeating Satoshi Matsubara 192–181, while Toru Kawashima of Japan beat Hisanori Umeda 233–168. In the final, Kawashima secured the gold medal for Japan with a 179–151 win over Knopp, leaving Germany with silver and Matsubara and Umeda earning bronze.
In the Grand Senior Women’s Singles, Australia and France dominated the semifinal stage. Julie Harrison defeated Robyn Flynn 199–188 in an all-Australian match, while Jacqueline Faure (Boissiere) of France overcame Pepita Jacques (Estruch) 175–169. In the final, Faure delivered a decisive 199–181 victory over Harrison to claim gold for France, with Flynn and Jacques taking bronze.
Grand Senior Doubles
In Grand Senior Women’s Doubles, Angie Brown and Diane Johnson captured gold
after defeating Robyn Flynn and Julie Harrison of Australia 382–361. Brown and
Johnson reached the final by defeating fellow English duo Sandra Simmonds and
Lynn Squibb 403–338, while Flynn and Harrison advanced with a 419–347 win over
Japan’s Honami Yanagawa and Yumiko Yoshida. The English and Japanese pairs
received bronze.
In Grand Senior Men’s Doubles,
Gary Baker and
Kim Johnson of England took
gold after a 418–363 victory against
Yvan Augustin and
Serge Frouvelle of France.
Baker and Johnson moved through the semifinals by beating
Ralf Gr We and
Peter Knopp of Germany 394–321,
while the French pair narrowly defeated
Mario Garcia and
Alfonso Rodriguez of Mexico
355–352. Germany and Mexico earned bronze medals.
England’s strong showing in the Grand Senior division came despite early challenges. The team lost two players early in the week, as Kim Oakley suffered a fractured foot and Lol Ellis experienced a stroke, preventing them from competing further.
What's Next?
With Singles and Doubles completed, attention now shifts to the team events.
The first three games of Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s team qualifying were contested on Sunday evening, with the United States leading the Senior Men’s standings and Canada narrowly in front among Senior Women after Day 1.
Current Medal Tally (after Singles and Doubles):
1. United States – 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze
2. Germany – 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
3. England – 2 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze
4. France – 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
5. Japan – 1 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze
6. Australia – 0 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
7. Italy – 0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
8. Venezuela – 0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
9. Finland – 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
10. Belgium – 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
11. Mexico – 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
Remaining Schedule of the 2025 World Seniors Championships (local time, Reno):
Monday, October 20
09:00–12:00 – Team Event (3 games) Senior Men & Grand Senior Men
13:30–16:30 – Team Event (3 games) Senior Women & Grand Senior Women
16:30–17:30 – Team Semifinals (all divisions)
17:30–18:30 – Team Finals (all divisions)
18:30–19:00 – Medal Presentation (Teams)
Tuesday, October 21
10:00–11:00 – Masters (Step 1) Senior Men
11:00–12:00 – Masters (Step 1) Senior Women
12:00–12:30 – Lane Maintenance
12:30–13:30 – Masters (Step 1) Grand Senior Men
13:30–14:30 – Masters (Step 1) Grand Senior Women
14:30–15:00 – Lane Maintenance
15:00–16:00 – Masters (Step 2) Senior Men & Senior Women
16:00–17:00 – Masters (Step 2) Grand Senior Men & Grand Senior Women
17:00 – Medal Presentation (All Events)
Wednesday, October 22
09:00–10:00 – Masters (Step 3 Quarterfinals) Senior Men & Senior Women
10:00–11:00 – Masters (Step 3 Quarterfinals) Grand Senior Men & Grand
Senior Women
11:00–11:30 – Lane Maintenance
11:30–12:30 – Masters (Step 4 Semifinals, all divisions)
12:30–13:30 – Masters Finals Senior Women
13:30–14:30 – Masters Finals Senior Men
14:30–15:30 – Masters Finals Grand Senior Men
15:30–16:30 – Masters Finals Grand Senior Women
