Korea wins women's trios in dramatic match at Worlds

HENDERSON, Nev. - Korea edged Canada to win the women's trios Monday at the 2013 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Championships in a heart-stopping gold-medal match.

The Koreans came from behind at the last second to take the gold medal with a 587-585 victory over Canada at Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center. Japan and England shared the bronze medal after losing in the semifinals.

Korea women trios gold 465Canadian anchor bowler Caroline Lagrange had a chance to secure victory for her country but left a pocket 7-10 split for an open in the final frame, allowing Korea to take a narrow victory.

Lee Na-Young led the Korean effort with a 209 game and was followed by Son Yun-Hee (193) and Ryu Seo-Yeon (185). Isabelle Rioux had the top score for Canada with 223, while Lagrange shot 198 and Samantha How had 164.

"I thought that I made a great shot and had made the right adjustment, but I just got a little unlucky," Lagrange said. "It's still a great feeling to bring home a silver medal for Canada. We haven't done a whole lot lately, so this is really special."

Son, the anchor bowler for Korea, stepped up in the final frame and tossed a clutch strike on her first shot for a double to put her team in position for the win.

"It was a close game and a pleasure to win," Son said. "Japan and Canada have very strong teams, but we were more lucky."

In the semifinals, Korea outlasted Japan in a close match, 608-571. Son led the way with a 247 game, while Lee shot 181 and Ryu had 180. For Japan, Natsuki Teshima shot a 215 game and was followed by Misaki Mukotani (188) and Haruka Matsuda (168).

Canada easily won its semifinal with England, 623-506, in a match that was never close after the first few frames. Lagrange had 218, Rioux shot 214 and How had 191. Hayley Rumkee high the high score for England with 178, while Autum Chamberlain shot 177 and Lisa John had 151.

With 18 of 24 games completed in the all-events race, nine of the top 10 spots in the standings are occupied by bowlers from the Asian Zone. Wang Ya-Ting of Chinese Taipei leads with 3,957 (219.83 average), while her teammate Huang Chiung-Yao is second with 3,954. Korea's Son is third with 3,953.

The action shifts to the first round of team qualifying for men and women Tuesday at the World Championships. All rounds of the World Championships are being broadcast live on BOWL.com's BowlTV.

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

 

Womens Trios Medalists 465


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

WOMEN'S TRIOS

CHAMPIONSHIP
(Winner earns gold, loser gets silver)


Korea def. Canada, 587-585

SEMIFINALS
(Winners advance, losers tie for bronze)


Canada def. England, 623-506
Korea def. Japan, 608-571