BubbaRay
11-06-2007, 06:36 PM
Two-handed Belmonte maintains lead at World Cup.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - In the future, Australian two-handed bowler Jason Belmonte may be looked at as a pioneer of a style of bowling that was the next revolution in the sport. Or perhaps revolutions is more appropriate.
By throwing the ball with two hands, Belmonte is able to achieve maximum hook with an extreme amount of revolutions on the ball, creating an entry angle into the pocket that is simply unbeatable at times. It's a style that has led him to victories on four continents this year alone.
On Monday, he maintained his lead after the second round at the 2007 QubicaAMF World Cup with a 12-game total of 2,826, a 235 average. Team USA's Bill Hoffman of Columbus, Ohio, is second with 2,800, while American Lynda Barnes sits in seventh among the women.
"It's taken me a long time to see it but the more I travel, the more I see people throwing the ball two-handed," said Belmonte, who has won tournaments in the United States, Asia, Europe and Australia this year. "The more bowlers like me, (Finland's) Osku Palermaa or (Team USA's) Cassidy Schaub are on television and people see it, the more popular it becomes. I think a lot people like seeing something new and different, and for the younger generation, I'm talking ages 3 to 12, it's an easier way for them to hook the ball."
Belmonte started his two-handed style as a child because it was an easier way for him to handle a bowling ball and he has developed it into success that has become the envy of the world. But it's not as easy as it looks, Belmonte said.
"In all honesty, I think the higher the rev rate you have, the more trouble you can get into," Belmonte said. "If I miss too much I get punished much more than other players who throw the ball straighter. But if I bowl well I can strike more than any other player in the world."
Belmonte has had little trouble striking thus far in the 43rd QubicaAMF World Cup at Continent Bowling Center this week. He opened the tournament with a six-game block of 1,452 on Sunday and shot 1,374 on Monday.
Hoffman, meanwhile, moved ahead of Belmonte for the overall lead after 11 games but gave the lead back with a 188 in the finale Monday. Finland's Petteri Salonen overcame an opening-round 1,158 and fired back with a tournament-high 1,538 and sits in third with 2,696.
In the women's division, Barnes improved upon her first round performance, moving up four spots to seventh with 2,537. Korean Sun Hee Lee maintained her lead with 2,636 while Sue Abela of Malta is second with 2,592.
Competition continues Tuesday with the third of four days of qualifying. Players bowl six games each day, and the field will be cut to the top 24 men and 24 women after 24 games of qualifying.
The remaining players will bowl eight additional games Thursday before the field is cut to the top 8 in each division for the quarterfinals on Friday. After eight final games, the top three men and top three women will compete in the semifinals and finals on Saturday.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - In the future, Australian two-handed bowler Jason Belmonte may be looked at as a pioneer of a style of bowling that was the next revolution in the sport. Or perhaps revolutions is more appropriate.
By throwing the ball with two hands, Belmonte is able to achieve maximum hook with an extreme amount of revolutions on the ball, creating an entry angle into the pocket that is simply unbeatable at times. It's a style that has led him to victories on four continents this year alone.
On Monday, he maintained his lead after the second round at the 2007 QubicaAMF World Cup with a 12-game total of 2,826, a 235 average. Team USA's Bill Hoffman of Columbus, Ohio, is second with 2,800, while American Lynda Barnes sits in seventh among the women.
"It's taken me a long time to see it but the more I travel, the more I see people throwing the ball two-handed," said Belmonte, who has won tournaments in the United States, Asia, Europe and Australia this year. "The more bowlers like me, (Finland's) Osku Palermaa or (Team USA's) Cassidy Schaub are on television and people see it, the more popular it becomes. I think a lot people like seeing something new and different, and for the younger generation, I'm talking ages 3 to 12, it's an easier way for them to hook the ball."
Belmonte started his two-handed style as a child because it was an easier way for him to handle a bowling ball and he has developed it into success that has become the envy of the world. But it's not as easy as it looks, Belmonte said.
"In all honesty, I think the higher the rev rate you have, the more trouble you can get into," Belmonte said. "If I miss too much I get punished much more than other players who throw the ball straighter. But if I bowl well I can strike more than any other player in the world."
Belmonte has had little trouble striking thus far in the 43rd QubicaAMF World Cup at Continent Bowling Center this week. He opened the tournament with a six-game block of 1,452 on Sunday and shot 1,374 on Monday.
Hoffman, meanwhile, moved ahead of Belmonte for the overall lead after 11 games but gave the lead back with a 188 in the finale Monday. Finland's Petteri Salonen overcame an opening-round 1,158 and fired back with a tournament-high 1,538 and sits in third with 2,696.
In the women's division, Barnes improved upon her first round performance, moving up four spots to seventh with 2,537. Korean Sun Hee Lee maintained her lead with 2,636 while Sue Abela of Malta is second with 2,592.
Competition continues Tuesday with the third of four days of qualifying. Players bowl six games each day, and the field will be cut to the top 24 men and 24 women after 24 games of qualifying.
The remaining players will bowl eight additional games Thursday before the field is cut to the top 8 in each division for the quarterfinals on Friday. After eight final games, the top three men and top three women will compete in the semifinals and finals on Saturday.