Mt Warrigal’s Sam Cooley heads to the World Championships full of confidence after securing the World Cup title in the US earlier this month.
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Cooley is one of six Australians to compete at the championships in Hong Kong, starting on Friday, involving 50 countries and 278 bowlers.
At the fittingly named ‘Sam’s Town’ in Las Vegas, a 56-lane centre, Cooley owned the final against Kyle Troupe from the United States, winning 244-163.
Colley shot four strikes, a spare and then another run of four strikes before leaving an open 10th frame, while the hapless Troupe struggled in the decider, after earning top seeding after 40 games of qualifying, including a perfect 300.
Cooley is the second Australian man to win the title, after Jason Belmonte won the 2011 crown in South Africa. There have been six women who have claimed the crown for Australia.
“I have no words” Cooley’s said as the victory sunk in.
“Aussie women have won it several times and I’m proud to follow in Jason’s footsteps.” Cooley overcame Finland’s Osku Palermaa 240-203 in the semi-final, and Troup advanced to the final by ousting Colombia’s Andres Gomez 264-216
Belmonte went on to claim last year’s PBA world championship last year.
The world championship include singles, doubles, trios and teams (of five) formats, and finish on December 5.
Cooley has previously won the World Youth Championships all-events gold, as well as bronze medals at the 2014 singles, trios and teams world championships.
