Korea, Finland take World titles in team event

HENDERSON, Nev. - Finland and Korea took the five-player team titles in the men's and women's divisions, respectively, on Friday as the 2013 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Championships came to a close.

Finland won the men's title in a high-scoring shootout with the United States, 1,183-1,126, at Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center. Korea knocked off Team USA, 1,159-992, to take the women's title.

Finland team gold 465The men's title match was relatively close most of the match but Finland was able to hang on and pull away down the stretch. Pasi Uotila led the Finns with a 279 game and was followed by Petteri Salonen (258), Tony Ranta (236), Perttu Jussila (206) and Osku Palermaa (204).

Tommy Jones put together the big score for Team USA with a 257. Bill O'Neil had a 248 game, Chris Barnes shot 235, John Janawicz added 194 and John Szczerbinski shot 192.

"This is very special for us," Uotila said. "Exactly 30 years ago was the last time Finland won the team event, and my dad was on that team. That makes this a dream come true."

Korea Team Gold 465In the women's gold-medal match, Korea put on an impressive display and was led by Kim Moon-Jeong's 267 game. Lee Na-Young shot 246, Son Yun-Hee had 238, Jung Da-Wun fired 224 and Ryu Seo-Yeon had 184.

Kelly Kulick led the Team USA women with a 224 game and was joined by Missy Parkin (195), Shannon O'Keefe (194), Stefanie Nation (191) and Liz Johnson (188).

"I have good team members, and we work together," Son said. "We work hard and spend a lot of time training. This result helps the future of Korean bowling."

Team USA head coach Rod Ross said his squad was disappointed in the pair of silver medals but is already looking ahead to the next World Championships.

"It has been a very successful tournament for us," Ross said. "We won more than our fair share of medals. Of course, as a program we are disappointed in taking the silver medals, but both teams we bowled played very well and earned it. We'll be back."

The men's and women's Masters medal rounds also took place Friday with Korea sweeping the gold medals. Husband and wife Son Yun-Hee and Cho Young-Seon of Korea took the titles.

Son defeated teammate Kim, 211-193, in the women's championship, while Cho knocked off Barnes, 254-195, to win the men's title.

For more information on the WTBA World Championships, visit BOWL.com/World2013.

2013 WTBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center, Henderson, Nev.
Friday's results

MEN'S TEAM

CHAMPIONSHIP
(Winner earns gold, loser gets silver)


Finland def. United States, 1,183-1,126

SEMIFINALS
(Winners advance, losers tie for bronze)


Finland def. Korea, 1,101-976
United States def. Denmark, 1,050-973


WOMEN'S TEAM

CHAMPIONSHIP
(Winner earns gold, loser gets silver)


Korea def. United States, 1,159-992

SEMIFINALS
(Winners advance, losers tie for bronze)


United States def. Venezuela, 1,014-921
Korea def. Malaysia, 1,065-966


WOMEN'S MASTERS

CHAMPIONSHIP
(Winner earns gold, loser gets silver)


Son Yun-Hee, Korea def. Kim Moon-Jeong, Korea, 211-193

SEMIFINALS
(Winners advance, losers tie for bronze)


Son def. Liz Johnson, United States, 232-213
Kim def. Ryu Seo-Yeon, Korea, 208-180


MEN'S MASTERS

MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
(Winner earns gold, loser gets silver)


Cho Young-Seon, Korea, def. Chris Barnes, United States, 254-195

SEMIFINALS
(Winners advance, losers tie for bronze)


Cho def. Shin Seung-Hyeon, Korea, 237-223
Barnes def. Kim Jun-Yung, Korea, 226-214