Team USA bowlers pick up two medals on final day of competition at 2025 IBF Para World Championships
January 24, 2025
Team USA bowlers David Nelson, Jr. of Gretna, Nebraska (left) and George Holscher of Chesapeake, Virginia, pose for a picture on the lanes at the 2025 IBF Para Bowling World Championships in Hong Kong. Holscher secured the TPB8 Men's All-Events silver medal on Friday while Nelson earned bronze.
FULL STANDINGS
HONG KONG – George Holscher of Chesapeake, Virginia, earned a silver medal in TPB8 Men’s All-Events while David Nelson, Jr. of Gretna, Nebraska, secured bronze during Friday’s final day of competition at the 2025 International Bowling Federation Para Bowling World Championships, which were contested at Top Bowl, Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Holscher reached the second spot on the podium thanks to a three-day, 16-game total of 3,052 (a 190.8 average), which included five games of 200 or better (230, 224, 219, 211 and 201).
Nelson used high games of 221 and 201 to propel himself to the bronze medal with a final tally of 2,805 (a 175.3 average).
The gold went to Korea’s Ki Seok Oh, who finished first in the 24-player TPB8 Men’s All-Events field with a three-day mark of 3,193 (a 199.6 average).
Team USA's Eddy Hutchens of Franktown, Colorado, placed fifth with 2,728.
Friday’s medals marked the third of the tournament for both Holscher and Nelson.
Both men reached the podium in TPB8 Men’s Singles on Wednesday with Holscher claiming silver and Nelson taking bronze. The duo then combined to earn gold during TPB8 Men’s Doubles competition on Thursday.
They were hoping to have Hutchens join them on the podium by claiming a trios medal on Friday; unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to me as the Team USA squad placed fifth in the event with a four-game total of 2,214.
The TPB8/9/10 Men’s Trios medals went to Hong Kong (2,460), Korea (2,421) and Chinese Taipei (2,290), which earned gold, silver and bronze, respectively.
Despite the disappointment of falling short in trios, both Holscher and Nelson were satisfied with their performances at the 2025 Para Bowling World Championships.
“It would have been great to medal in the trios event so that all of us could bring home some hardware, but medaling in three events at my first international competition is more than I was expecting,” Holscher said. “This experience is one that I will always remember and cherish. I hope that this is a jumping-off point that launches para bowling into fast-paced growth and acceptance worldwide, and I hope that I’ll have the chance to represent Team USA again sometime in the future.”
Nelson expressed similar feelings.
“This was an amazing trip with some very tough competition, which makes taking bronze in all-events all the more special,” Nelson said. “It was a terrific experience with some very special teammates and coaches.”
Nelson’s Team USA women’s teammates, Debra Freed of Framingham, Massachusetts; Gina Jenkins of Bedford, Texas; and Emma “Toodie” Perry of Bakersfield, California, tried their best to finish with a bang by winning a medal during the TPB8/9/10 Women’s Trios event on Friday.
Unfortunately, the group came up one spot short, finishing in third place with a four-game total of 1,486.
Korea earned the gold medal with 2,215, and Thailand took silver with 1,630. No bronze medal was awarded during the event since there were only three teams in the field.
The TPB8 Women’s All-Events gold medal went to Chia Chieh Lee of Chinese Taipei, who led the field with a three-day, 16-game total of 2,962 (a 185.1 average). Korea’s Jong Soon Kim (2,496) captured silver while Hong Kong’s Mei Lan Wong (2,269) took home bronze.
Jenkins authored the best all-events finish among American women, placing fifth with 1,931. Perry (1,906) and Freed (1,897) finished in sixth and seventh place, respectively.
Although Freed would have liked to have won a medal on Friday, she washappy to have had the opportunity to compete with Team USA in Hong Kong.
“I remain grateful for the learning opportunities, the new friendships and especially for our coaches and cheerleaders for their guidance and support for para bowling,” Freed said. “May we all continue to grow this program together.”
Hutchens also looked at the bigger picture when reflecting upon this year’s tournament.
“Had anyone told me that this was in my future, I would’ve laughed at them,” Hutchens said. “To have been fortunate enough to be chosen to represent my country not once but twice is proof that you can do what you put your mind to. It was an honor to have been chosen again, and the best part of it was sharing the experience with my teammates and coaches.”
The 2025 IBF Para Bowling World Championships officially came to a close at the conclusion of Friday’s competitions, medal ceremonies and banquet. The event began with the official practice sessions on Jan. 17.
For more information on Para Team USA, CLICK HERE.
FULL STANDINGS
HONG KONG – George Holscher of Chesapeake, Virginia, earned a silver medal in TPB8 Men’s All-Events while David Nelson, Jr. of Gretna, Nebraska, secured bronze during Friday’s final day of competition at the 2025 International Bowling Federation Para Bowling World Championships, which were contested at Top Bowl, Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Holscher reached the second spot on the podium thanks to a three-day, 16-game total of 3,052 (a 190.8 average), which included five games of 200 or better (230, 224, 219, 211 and 201).
Nelson used high games of 221 and 201 to propel himself to the bronze medal with a final tally of 2,805 (a 175.3 average).
The gold went to Korea’s Ki Seok Oh, who finished first in the 24-player TPB8 Men’s All-Events field with a three-day mark of 3,193 (a 199.6 average).
Team USA's Eddy Hutchens of Franktown, Colorado, placed fifth with 2,728.
Friday’s medals marked the third of the tournament for both Holscher and Nelson.
Both men reached the podium in TPB8 Men’s Singles on Wednesday with Holscher claiming silver and Nelson taking bronze. The duo then combined to earn gold during TPB8 Men’s Doubles competition on Thursday.
They were hoping to have Hutchens join them on the podium by claiming a trios medal on Friday; unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to me as the Team USA squad placed fifth in the event with a four-game total of 2,214.
The TPB8/9/10 Men’s Trios medals went to Hong Kong (2,460), Korea (2,421) and Chinese Taipei (2,290), which earned gold, silver and bronze, respectively.
Despite the disappointment of falling short in trios, both Holscher and Nelson were satisfied with their performances at the 2025 Para Bowling World Championships.
“It would have been great to medal in the trios event so that all of us could bring home some hardware, but medaling in three events at my first international competition is more than I was expecting,” Holscher said. “This experience is one that I will always remember and cherish. I hope that this is a jumping-off point that launches para bowling into fast-paced growth and acceptance worldwide, and I hope that I’ll have the chance to represent Team USA again sometime in the future.”
Nelson expressed similar feelings.
“This was an amazing trip with some very tough competition, which makes taking bronze in all-events all the more special,” Nelson said. “It was a terrific experience with some very special teammates and coaches.”
Nelson’s Team USA women’s teammates, Debra Freed of Framingham, Massachusetts; Gina Jenkins of Bedford, Texas; and Emma “Toodie” Perry of Bakersfield, California, tried their best to finish with a bang by winning a medal during the TPB8/9/10 Women’s Trios event on Friday.
Unfortunately, the group came up one spot short, finishing in third place with a four-game total of 1,486.
Korea earned the gold medal with 2,215, and Thailand took silver with 1,630. No bronze medal was awarded during the event since there were only three teams in the field.
The TPB8 Women’s All-Events gold medal went to Chia Chieh Lee of Chinese Taipei, who led the field with a three-day, 16-game total of 2,962 (a 185.1 average). Korea’s Jong Soon Kim (2,496) captured silver while Hong Kong’s Mei Lan Wong (2,269) took home bronze.
Jenkins authored the best all-events finish among American women, placing fifth with 1,931. Perry (1,906) and Freed (1,897) finished in sixth and seventh place, respectively.
Although Freed would have liked to have won a medal on Friday, she washappy to have had the opportunity to compete with Team USA in Hong Kong.
“I remain grateful for the learning opportunities, the new friendships and especially for our coaches and cheerleaders for their guidance and support for para bowling,” Freed said. “May we all continue to grow this program together.”
Hutchens also looked at the bigger picture when reflecting upon this year’s tournament.
“Had anyone told me that this was in my future, I would’ve laughed at them,” Hutchens said. “To have been fortunate enough to be chosen to represent my country not once but twice is proof that you can do what you put your mind to. It was an honor to have been chosen again, and the best part of it was sharing the experience with my teammates and coaches.”
The 2025 IBF Para Bowling World Championships officially came to a close at the conclusion of Friday’s competitions, medal ceremonies and banquet. The event began with the official practice sessions on Jan. 17.
For more information on Para Team USA, CLICK HERE.