HENDERSON, Nev. - Team USA's Bill O'Neill successfully defended his men's singles title Monday at the 2013 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Championships.

O'Neill defeated Germany's Bodo Konieczny, 228-192, to win the gold medal at Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center. Sweden's Martin Larsen and Korea's Shin Seung-Hyeon shared the bronze medals after losing in the semifinals.

In the gold-medal match, O'Neill got off to a quick start and built an early lead, relieving the pressure of having to perform down the stretch. By the time he reached the final frame, O'Neill, who won the singles gold at the last World Men's Championships in 2010, just needed eight pins on his final shot and tossed a strike.

"I didn't think I would make the medal round halfway through the day," said O'Neill, who bowled a 300 in the final game of qualifying to make the medal round. "It was quite a different experience this time around, but I'll certainly take it."

Even though he lost in the final match, Konieczny was all smiles after earning the silver medal. He helped lead Germany to bronze medals in doubles and team at the last World Men's Championships in 2010 in Munich, Germany.

"We earned a couple bronze medals in 2010 at the World Championships, but I wanted to make this year even better," said Konieczny, who also shot a 300 in qualifying. "This is my first time visiting America, so to bowl a 300 game and win a silver medal is a dream come true for me."

In the semifinals, O'Neill defeated Shin, 181-155, in a low-scoring match, while Konieczny knocked off Larsen, 209-183, in easy fashion.

The action shifts to the women's singles event 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.

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

CHAMPIONSHIP
(Winner earns gold, loser gets silver)

Bill O'Neill, United States def. Bodo Konieczny, Germany, 228-192

SEMIFINALS
(Winners advance, losers tie for bronze)

O'Neill def. Shin Seung-Hyeon, Korea, 181-155
Konieczny def. Martin Larsen, Sweden, 209-183