Bowlingdigital

It's time to hand out Bowlingdigital's "International Player of the Year" Award presented by Kegel. For the second time Bowlingdigital has organized this unique worldwide ballot and 54 countries have voted for the best male and female amateur bowlers of the past year. Bowlingdigital has registered more than 8.6 million page views from over ninety countries in the year 2001. The winners will be awarded with a "Bowling Oscar" and a free three-day clinic at one of the famous Kegel Training Centers, either in Sebring, Florida, or in Manila, Philippines, including expense-paid trips, transportation and accommodation.

For the second time Bowlingdigital has organized this unique worldwide ballot and a record fifty-four countries from the three FIQ zones America, Asia and Europe have selected the best male and female amateur bowlers of the past year. Both players will receive a "Bowling Oscar" and a free three-day clinic at one of the famous Kegel Training Centers, either in Sebring, Florida, or in Manila, Philippines, including expense-paid trips, transportation and accommodation.

The award presented by Kegel was established by Bowlingdigital's editor Herbert Bickel to recognize the best achievements and performers in the sport of bowling. Players were considered for a time period from January 1 through December 31, 2001. The winners of Bowlingdigital's "International Player of the Year" Award presented by Kegel were determined by the national head coaches, presidium members of the national bowling federations, long-time internationals or internationally recognized bowling journalists. However, each country could only vote once.

The countries that participated in this year's ballot were Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United States, Venezuela, Wales.

Men's Category : International Player of the Year 2001 Tim Mack (United States)

If a player meets the description "international bowler" who else could it be than world traveler Tim Mack. The 31-year-old right-hander from New Jersey won titles in four continents and was overwhelmingly recognized " International Player of the Year" in the men's category. Tim collected points from 32 countries and garnered 23 out of 54 first-place votes for a total of 266 points. Tim Mack claimed three consecutive titles in the Swedish Super Six Tour including the "King of the Hill" Masters and the Pergamon Int'l Storm Tournament, the "richest" European bowling tournament. Other titles came in the Rosemont Cup in Perth, Australia, the Storm Cup Singles in Seoul, Korea, the "Cream of the Crop" Tournament in Tampa, Florida, and the Buddy Tierno's Over/Under Doubles in Trenton, New Jersey.

Belgium's Gery Verbruggen was the first runner-up in this year's ballot. The 36-year-old lefthander was recognized by 34 countries, the most of all male players. Gery, who ended the year 2001 as the top-ranked player in Europe for the second consecutive year, earned 171 points, including six first-place votes.

The second runner-up representing the Asian zone is Ahmed Shaheen from Qatar. The 34-year-old right-hander got votes from 23 countries for a total of 108 points, including 4 first-place votes. Ahmed, who is the reigning World Champion in Masters, captured titles in the Arab Championships and on the Asian Bowling Tour.

Team USA anchorman Tony Manna Jr. (photo) received five first-place votes to land in fourth place, a mere one point ahead of European Masters Champion Anders "Linus" Öhman, Sweden. Next are Scandinavians Mika Luoto, a four-time European Champion from Finland, and World Cup winner Kim Asbjörn Haugen from Norway.

Eighth place belongs to World Games champion Tobias Gäbler, Germany, with 3-time American Zone Champion Dino Castillo, USA, in ninth position. Rounding out the top 10 is Asian "Wonder Kid" Wu Siu Hong from Hong Kong.

Other players receiving votes for the award included Pablo Pena, Costa Rica, Bandar Al-Shafi, Qatar, Kevin Dornberger, United States, Ben Heng, Malaysia, Daniel Falconi, Mexico, Takahashi Toshihiko, Japan, Tseng Sheng-Hsien, Chinese Taipei and Oleg Smirnov, Russia.

1^st place and winner of Bowlingdigital's "International Player of the Year" award Tim Mack, United States, 266 points
2. Gery Verbruggen, Belgium, 171
3. Ahmed Shaheen, Qatar, 108
4. Tony Manna Jr., United States, 61
5. Anders Öhman, Sweden, 60
6. Mika Luoto, Finland, 56
7. Kim Asbjörn Haugen, Norway, 48
8. Tobias Gäbler, Germany, 37
9. Dino Castillo, United States, 32
10. Wu Siu Hong, Hong Kong, 24
11. Pablo Pena, Costa Rica, 21
12. Bandar Al-Shafi, Qatar, 17
(tie) Kevin Dornberger, United States, 17
14. Ben Heng, Malaysia, 5
15. Daniel Falconi, Mexico, Takahashi Toshihiko, Japan, Tseng Sheng-Hsien, Chinese Taipei and Oleg Smirnov, Russia, 2 points each.

Women's Category : International Player of the Year 2001 Kirsten Penny (England)

Four-time European and World Games champion Kirsten Penny from England gained the honors for Bowlingdigital's "International Player of the Year" award in the women's category. The 25-year-old right-hander received the most votes of all nominees (36) and led the women with 12 first and 15 second-place votes for a total of 213 points. Kirsten earned four gold and one bronze medal in the 2001 European Championships in Denmark. She won the titles in Doubles, Trios, All Events and finally in the Masters. Her bronze medal came in the Team event. She also claimed the gold medal in Mixed Doubles with partner Steve Thornton in the 2001 World Games in Akita.

Shalin Zulkifli from Malaysia finished as first runner-up in the women's "International Player of the Year" race. The 24-year-old right-hander received 7 first-place votes and 152 points from 30 countries, though her own country Malaysia didn't vote. Shalin leads the Asian rankings since two years and is a 4-time South East Asian Games champion. She became the first woman to win the World Tenpin Masters in England.

The second runner-up representing the American zone is Diandra Hyman from the United States. The 21-year-old right-hander got the second-most first place votes (10) from 19 countries to collect 133 points A Team USA member since four years, Diandra captured three gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the American Zone Championships.

Trailing Hyman by a mere four points to finish in fourth place was European rankings leader Bettina Lund (photo) from Denmark. World Games champion Sofia Granda, Guatemala, earned enough points to land in fifth place. Next is Penny's teammate and European Cup Individual champion Lisa John.

Seventh place belongs to U.S. National Amateur Champion Shannon Pluhowsky. Swede Linda Haglund, who made history when she became the first woman to roll a 300-game in the European Championships, ended in eighth position. Rounding out the top ten are World Cup winner Nachimi Itakura, Japan, and Jesmine Ho, Singapore, who won the inaugural World Ranking Masters.

Other players receiving votes for the award included Marie Ramirez, Costa Rica, Clara Juliana Guerrero, Colombia, Piritta Kantola, Finland, Nam Bo-Ra, Korea, Wang Yu-Ling, Chinese Taipei, Yap Seok-Kim, Singapore, Michele Ayala, Puerto Rico, and Tatiana Smirnov, Russia.

1^st place and winner of Bowlingdigital's "International Player of the Year" award Kirsten Penny, England, 213 points
2. Shalin Zulkifli, Malaysia, 152
3. Diandra Hyman, United States, 133
4. Bettina Lund, Denmark, 128
5. Sofia Granda, Guatemala, 82
6. Lisa John, England, 52
7. Shannon Pluhowsky, United States, 26
8. Linda Haglund, Sweden, 24
9. Nachimi Itakura, Japan, 20
10. Jesmine Ho, Singapore, 19
11. Marie Ramirez, Costa Rica, 17
12. Clara Juliana Guerrero, Colombia, 15
13. Piritta Kantola, Finland, 13
14. Nam Bo-Ra, Korea, 7
15. Wang Yu-Ling, Chinese Taipei, 6
16. Yap Seok-Kim, Singapore, 5
17. Michele Ayala, Puerto Rico, 2
(tie) Tatiana Smirnov, Russia, 2

Last year Bowlingdigital.com has organized its inaugural worldwide ballot for the "International Player of the Year". Norwegian Tore Torgersen and Clara Juliana Guerrero of Colombia were elected by the votes from 48 FIQ member federations.

The rules for the 2001 ballot were slightly different to last year as every country had three votes for the men's and three votes for the women's category. The 1st place vote was worth 10 points, the 2nd place vote 5 points and the 3rd place vote 2 points. In the event of a tie, the winner is the one with the most first-place votes. If it still is a tie, the most second-place votes determine the winner.

Once again Bowlingdigital's editor Herbert Bickel has selected 15 men and 15 women, five each from the three FIQ Zones, who have won major tournaments or international titles in the year 2001. However, the countries could vote for any amateur bowler according to FIQ and WTBA Statues.

Ahmed Shaheen earned four medals in the 1st Arab Championship 2001 in Manama, Bahrain. Two gold medals (in Trios, Teams), one silver in Doubles and one bronze in Masters. After winning the title two years ago, the 33-year-old right-hander ended up second in the 2001 AMF Bowling World Cup in Pattaya, Thailand. Shaheen finished in 3rd place in the inaugural World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The Qatari won the Asian Bowling Tour Singapore leg to earn a berth into the Grand Slam Finals, where he finished third. Shaheen also finished in third position in the Asian rankings.

Anders Öhman captured the gold medal in the Masters event in the 11th European Championships in Aalborg, Denmark. The 33-year-old right-hander added a silver medal in Singles and bronze in Trios. Öhman claimed gold medals in Doubles and Teams in the Nordic Championships in Sarpsborg, Norway. The Swedish champion and Bowler of the Year won the Malta Open and the AIK Tournament in Stockholm, finished second in the Swedish Super Six Tour Masters, in 9th place in the European Cup Individual in Moscow, Russia, and in 13th place in the 37th AMF Bowling World Cup in Pattaya, Thailand. The Swede ended the year in third place in the European rankings.

Bandar Al-Shafi claimed five out of six gold medals in the 1st Arab Championship 2001 in Manama, Bahrain. Al-Shafi won the titles in Singles, Doubles, Trios, Teams and All Events and finished ninth in Masters. The Qatari finished in 2nd place in the inaugural World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE and ended in 9th position in last year's Asian rankings.

Ben Heng walked away with five medals from the 21st SEA Games in Prai, Malaysia. Heng captured gold in Singles and Doubles and earned silver medals in Trios, Teams and All Events. He claimed the title in the 27th Hong Kong International Open and finished in 10th place in the 37th AMF Bowling World Cup in Pattaya, Thailand. Heng ended the year in fifth place in the Asian rankings.

In his first year as a TEAM USA member, Dino Castillo claimed five medals in the 13th American Zone Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina, three of them gold including the Masters (others were in Trios and Teams) plus a silver medal in Doubles and bronze in All Events. Castillo finished 8th in the U.S. Amateur Championships in Reno, NV, to make TEAM USA for the second consecutive year.

For the second consecutive year, Gery Verbruggen finished the year as European ranking leader. The 35-year-old lefthander won the Grand Prix of Zurich, Switzerland, finished second in the European Championship Masters event, and made the stepladder in European ranking events three more times to finish second in the Danish Masters, fourth in the Malta Open and fifth in the Swiss International. Verbruggen had the highest average of all players (227,65 over 31 games) in the inaugural World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE but had to settle for 6th place.

Kevin Dornberger, who was the USA Bowling President the past two years, claimed the Team All Events title with Team USA Support in the 2001 ABC Championship Tournament. The 53-year-old also finished 8th in Doubles. In the Tournament of the Americas in Miami, Florida, Dornberger won every event in the senior division. He earned six gold medals in Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Teams, All Events and Country All Events. At the beginning of the year, Dornberger claimed a FIQ gold medal in Doubles in the men's 50-56 age group in the inaugural FIQ Senior Open in Reno, Nevada. He finished 26th in the U.S. Amateur Championships in Reno, NV.

Kim Asbjörn Haugen didn't lose a single match in the best of three single-elimination format en route to win the 37th AMF Bowling World Cup in Pattaya, Thailand. The 22-year-old left-hander won the Norwegian championships to earn a berth into the European Cup Individual in Moscow, Russia, where he finished in second place.

Mika Luoto averaged 231,79 over 24 games in the 11th European Championships in Aalborg, Denmark, en route to claim the gold medals in Singles, Doubles, Trios and All Events. His fifth medal came in the Team event where the Finns ended up third. The 32-year-old lefthander earned the silver medal in Teams and the bronze medal in Doubles in the Nordic Championships in Sarpsborg, Norway. Luoto finished in 13th place in the inaugural World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He ended the year 2001 in 9th position in the European rankings.

Pablo Pena was the most winningest player in the 7th Central American Games in Guatemala City, Guatemala, He earned medals in all six events: Gold in Trios and All Events; Silver in Singles, Mixed Doubles and Team; Bronze in Doubles.

Tim Mack (United States)

Tim Mack claimed three consecutive titles in the Swedish Super Six Tour. The 31-year-old right-hander won the "King of the Hill" in Norrköping, which was the Masters of the 2000-2001 SST, the Pergamon Int'l Storm Tournament, which is the "richest" European bowling tournament and where he earned $30,000 plus gold watch ($10,000), and the Eskilstuna Int'l Tournament. Mack also claimed titles in Asia as he won the Rosemont Cup in Perth, Australia and the Storm Cup Singles in Seoul, Korea. In the United States, Mack earned two titles in the "Cream of the Crop" Tournament in Tampa, Florida, and the Buddy Tierno's Over/Under Doubles in Trenton, New Jersey. Mack finished fourth in the Swedish Les Lion Cup to finish the year in 23^rd place in the European rankings.

Tobias Gäbler won the gold medal in the men's Singles event at the World Games in Akita, Japan, and teamed with Tanya Petty to claim silver in Mixed Doubles. His 1411, 6-game series (235 avg.) helped Germany's 5-player-Team to grab the silver medal at the European Championships in Aalborg, Denmark. The 24-year-old German Bowler of the Year also finished 8th in Masters and 12th in All Events.

The 31-year-old anchorman of TEAM USA claimed four gold medals in the 13th American Zone Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in Doubles, Trios, Teams and All Events and finished third in Singles. Manna ended up 5th in Singles and 11th in Mixed Doubles at the World Games in Akita. His third-place finish in the U.S. Amateur Championships earned him a spot in TEAM USA for the fifth consecutive year. He earned two gold (in Mixed Team and Team All Events) and one bronze medal (in Singles) in the adult division of the Tournament of the Americas in Miami, Florida. Manna was second in the 2001 American Zone rankings.

Tseng Sheng-Hsien averaged 215,50 en route to claim the All Events title in the 3rd East Asian Games 2001 in Osaka, Japan. He earned another gold medal in Teams and bronze in Trios. Tseng represented his country in the World Games in Akita, Japan, finishing 17th in Singles and 14th in Mixed. He was seventh in the Asian rankings with a second-place finish in the 27th Thailand Int'l Open in Bangkok. Tseng was fifth in the Asian Bowling Tour rankings thanks to his third place in Malaysia and two fourth-place finishes in Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei. He ended up in 15th place in the ABT Grand Slam Finals. Tseng was seventh in the 2001 Asian rankings.

At the age of 16, Wu Siu Hong captured two gold medals in the 3rd East Asian Games 2001 in Osaka, Japan, including the coveted Masters title. The other came in Doubles. He represented Hong Kong in the World Games in Akita, Japan, finishing 12th in Singles and 17th in Mixed. Wu, who bowls the traditional style, earned the nick name "Wonder Kid" as he became the youngest Asian Bowling Tour champion by winning the inaugural ABT event in China also at the age of 16. He then became only the second bowler to win two Asian Bowling Tour titles in one year when he captured the Hong Kong leg. In addition he finished second in the ABT Malaysia leg. Wu, currently 17 years old, is the 2001 ranking leader in both the Asian Federation rankings and the Asian Bowling Tour rankings. He finished as runner-up in the ABT Grand Slam Finals.

Bettina Lund is the 2001 European ranking leader. She claimed the title in the Dutch Brunswick Open and finished second in the Malta Open. The 31-year-old left-hander settled for the 11th place in the inaugural World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Lund broke five Danish records and shot a televised 300-game en route to claim the 2001 National Championships. Later she finished second in the European Cup Individual among all other European champions. Lund won a silver medal in Trios in the European Championships and a bronze medal in the Team event in the Nordic Championships

Diandra Hyman captured five medals in the American Zone Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 21-year-old won the gold medal in Masters, All Events and Team, silver in Singles and bronze in Trios. Her 5th place in the U.S. Amateur Championships earned her a berth in TEAM USA for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, she finished in 6th place in the Junior National Championships to make JUNIOR TEAM USA for the second consecutive year. She was member of the team from University of Nebraska that won the 2001 Intercollegiate Bowling Championships. Hyman qualified for this year's World Ranking Masters in 8th place in the American Zone Rankings.

Jesmine Ho became the first World Ranking Masters champion in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The 35-year-old spinner finished in 9th position in the 2001 Asian Rankings including a 4th place in the Philippine Open. Two days later Ho won the Asian Bowling Tour Philippine leg. She placed 12th in the ABT ranking list and qualified for the Grand Slam Finals, where she finished as runner-up.

Kirsten Penny (England)

Kirsten Penny earned four gold and one bronze medal in the 2001 European Championships in Denmark. She won the titles in Doubles, Trios, All Events and finally in the Masters. Her bronze medal came in the Team event. The 25-year-old right-hander claimed the gold medal in Mixed Doubles with Steve Thornton in the 2001 World Games in Akita and finished 6th in Singles. Penny led the women's field of the 37th AMF World Cup in Thailand after 40 games with a 218 average, but lost in the first single-elimination round to settle for fifth place. She finished in 4th place in the World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE. In the 2001 European ranking season, Penny won the Malta Open to finish third in the rankings.

Linda Haglund made bowling history in the 2001 European Championships in Denmark. The 27-year-old right-hander became the first woman to roll a 300-game in the Championships history. In addition Haglund earned the gold medal with the Swedish 5-player-Team, silver in Doubles and bronze in Trios. She ended the year in 4th place in the European Rankings.

Lisa John captured two gold medals (in Doubles and Trios) and two bronze medals (in All Events and Team) in the 2001 European Championships in Denmark. The 20-year-old then claimed the title in the European Cup Individual (Tournament of the National Champion) in Moscow, Russia. John finished in 20th place in the European Rankings.

Marie Ramirez was the most decorated woman in the Central American Games in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The 34-year-old right-hander has won three gold medals in Doubles, Trios and Team and one silver medal in All Events. Ramirez is also the reigning national champion.

Michelle Ayala is the 2001 American Zone ranking leader. The 27-year-old earned the gold medal in Mixed Doubles and bronze medals in All Events and Team in the Central American and Caribbean Games in the Dominican Republic. Ayala participated in the World Games finishing 22nd in Singles, 18th in Mixed Doubles with Nelson Toro. She placed 21st in the inaugural World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Nam Bo-Ra pocketed four gold and one bronze medal in the East Asian Games in Osaka, Japan. The 20-year-old won the titles in Singles, Doubles, Team and All Events and finished third in Masters. Nam missed the stepladder finals of the 2001 World Games by 13 pins to settle for fourth place in Singles and 12th in Mixed.

Piritta Kantola started the year 2001 with victory in the oldest annual tournament in Europe. The 23-year-old defeated all men en route to win the Ballmaster Open in Helsinki, Finland. Kantola claimed the bronze medal in the Singles event of the World Games in Japan and finished 4th in Mixed with Tom Hahl. With the Finnish five-player Team, Kantola grabbed the gold medal in the Nordic Championships and the silver medal in the European Championships. She qualified for this year's World Ranking Masters by finishing 8th in the European Rankings.

For the second consecutive year, Shalin Zulkifli finished the year as Asian ranking leader. The 24-year-old had 3rd place finishes in the Hong Kong Int'l Open and the Thailand Int'l Open. She ended up in 13th place in the World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Zulkifli won the title in the Asian Bowling Tour Thailand leg to finish in 13th place in the ABT ranking list. Zulkifli landed in fifth place in the ABT Grand Slam Finals. She earned four gold medals in the South East Asian Games in her native country in Singles, Trios, Team and All Events. She settled for 11th in Singles and 15th in Mixed Doubles in the World Games and reached the AMF World Cup finals in Thailand finish fifth. Zulkifli became the first woman to win the World Tenpin Masters in England. She received $30,000 for accomplishing the feat.

Shannon Pluhowsky is the 2001 adult and junior U.S. Amateur Champion. The 19-year-old lefthander earned a berth in TEAM USA and JUNIOR TEAM USA for the second and third consecutive year, resp. Pluhowsky finished in 8th place in Singles and 11th place in Mixed Doubles in the 2001 World Games. She won all six gold medals (Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Teams, All Events and country All Events) in the Junior division of the 2001 Tournament of the Americas. After winning the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships with University of Nebraska Pluhowsky was elected 2001 Collegiate Player of the Year and 2001 Collegiate Rookie of Year. Pluhowsky was second in the American Zone Rankings.

Sofia Granda made history for Guatemala when she earned the women's title in the 2001 World Games in Akita, Japan. The 23-year-old won the first-ever gold medal for Guatemala in the World Games history. In the Central American Games in her native country, Granda won five medals: gold in Singles and All Events, silver in Doubles and Team and bronze in Trios. In the Central American and Caribbean Games in the Dominican Republic she added another four medals: gold in Singles and All Events, silver in Team and bronze in Doubles. Granda ended the year in 7th place American Zone Rankings.

Wang Yu-Ling earned five medals in the East Asian games in Osaka, Japan. She won Silver in Doubles and Team, Bronze in Singles, Trios and All Events. The 26-year-old 5th in Singles and 14th in Mixed Doubles in the 2001 World Games. Wang grabbed the 3rd place in the inaugural World Ranking Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Her victory in the Thailand International Open, her 4th place finish in the Malaysian Int'l Open and the fifth place finishes in the China and Chinese Taipei International Open earned her enough points to finish in 2nd place in the 2001 Asian Rankings. Wang's qualified in 3rd place for the Asian Bowling Tour Grand Slam Finals, where she finished in 9th position.

Yap Seok-Kim became the first woman to win two Asian Bowling Tour events in one season. The 25-year-old claimed the titles in China and Singapore. Her second place in the ABT ranking list gave her a berth into the Grand Slam Finals, where she finished fourth. Yap is a bronze medallist in the South East Asian Games (in Doubles) and ended the year 2001 in 10th place in the Asian Rankings.

Bowlingdigital's 2001 International Player of the Year

Men's Category : International Player of the Year 2001 Tim Mack (United States)