Rolling it softly

07-29 Olympic update. As the first alternate on the US Bowling Team, y’all have asked me to explain the strengths of other countries we’ll face. In other international competitions, competitive countries include South Korea, Malaysia, Sweden, Finland, Singapore, and Australia. Each has well-developed bowling cultures and programs that allow young bowlers to grow and excel quickly.

For example, in Malaysia, the elementary school buses have a bowling alley down the middle of the bus so kids can practice during the ride. In Singapore, kids practice in simulated environments ranging from outer space to underwater worlds. Sweden teaches a kinder, gentler bowling mindset where kids are encouraged to roll the ball softly to not harm the pins. All of these methods have produced world class athletes who have already done well in international bowling competitions including the Asian Bowling Cup and the World Rollaway Bowling Championships.