Nachimi Itakura of Japan and Kim Haugen of Norway won the women and men’s titles Saturday afternoon at the 2001 AMF Bowling World Cup in Pattaya, Thailand. Itakura disposed of the Philippines Liza del Rosario in two games, 247-224 and 257-224, to become the first Japanese man or woman ever to capture the Bowling World Cup. Itakura, a 26-year-old resident of Wakayama City who would like to become a professional bowler, said two motivating factors that contributed to her victory. “My mother was in the crowd today, cheering me on, and I wanted to play well and give her a victory,” Itakura said. “Also, my Japan Bowling Congress coach told me to come home a winner, so now I can fulfill his request and bring home Japan’s first World Cup.”

Haugen, who went into the arena phase as the No. 8 seed, was nearly perfect as he scoured the 1999 AMF Bowling World Cup champion Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar, 238-216 and 290-186. Haugen, 22, follows in the steps of two other Norwegian World Cup champions, two-time winner Arne Stroem and the 1994 champion, Tore Torgersen, in capturing Norway’s fourth Bowling World Cup championship. “What I’ve done hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Haugen said afterward. “I didn’t allow myself to think of a victory even when Shaheen left the 4-6-7-9-10 split in the middle of the final game. I knew that something like that could happen just as easily to me, and I felt that I had to keep my mind on my next frame only. “All week long, I just wanted to do my best, and it’s a wonderful feeling to know that my best was good enough to win.”

Women’s Championship Round – best two of three games:
Nachini Itakura, Japan, def. Liza del Rosario, Philippines, 2 games to 0 (247-224, 257-224). Itakura wins the women’s 2001 AMF Bowling World Cup.

Men’s Championship Round – best two of three games:
Kim Haugen, Norway, def. Ahmed Shaheen, Qatar, 2 games to 0 (238-216, 290-186). Haugen wins the men’s 2001 AMF Bowling World Cup.

Women’s Semifinal Round – best two of three games; winner advances to championship match:
Nachini Itakura, Japan, def. Ross Greiner, Netherlands, 2 games to 1 (258-224, 223-226, 227-205; Liza del Rosario, Philippines, def. Kristal Scott, USA, 2 games to 0 (214-207, 216-206).

Men’s Semifinal Round – best two of three games; winner advances to championship match:
Ahmed Shaheen, Qatar, def. Daniel Falconi, Mexico, 2 games to 1 (235-244, 205-186 and 259-257); Kim Haugen, Norway, def. Hirofumi Morimoto, Japan, 2 games to 0 (259-232, 225-223).

Women’s Quarterfinal Round – best two of three games; winner advances to semifinals:
Liza del Rosario, Philippines, def. Shalin Zulkifli, Malaysia, 2 games to 1 (269-258, 224-234, 244-216); Ross Greiner, Netherlands, def. Ann Maree Putney, Australia, 2 games to 1 (227-185, 179-255, 269-217); Nachimi Itakura, Japan, def. Melody Yeung, Hong Kong, 2 games to 0 (212-204, 224-203); Kristal Scott, USA, def. Kirsten Penny, England, 2 games to 1 (216-205, 221-249, 202-169).