Abu Dhabi: Fourth-seed Choi Bok-eum and Park Jong-woo came from behind to snatch South Korea’s first gold medal at the World Bowling Championships after beating Japan 410-396 in the doubles finals at the Khalifa International Bowling Centre in Abu Dhabi late on Tuesday.
In the title match, Choi and Japan’s Daisuke Yoshida both had two splits in the first four frames. But Yoshida’s partner, Shusaku Asato, covered with a double in the second and third frames.
Choi’s teammate and 2014 Asian Games double gold medallist Park only got going with a double in the fourth and fifth frames to level things up.
Yoshida rolled three-in-a-row to take a slender lead, but could not take his striking power all the way to the end. Although Asato recovered with a double after an open frame in the fifth, he too faltered.
Choi made sure he had no more open frames, while Park needed to double in the tenth after a strike in the ninth to take victory and the gold medal.
Yoshida managed 191 and Asato 205 for a Japan total of 396, while Choi posted 184 and Park was the hero with 226 for a 410 total.
“Choi didn’t have a good start and then he had a perfect pocket shot only to see pins 7 and 10 standing,” said 23-year-old Incheon masters and team champion Park.
“I kept telling myself to take deep breaths and keep my composure otherwise I would make silly mistakes. It paid off and I’m so glad to win my first gold medal at the world championships.”
The champions also came from behind to beat top seeds Joonas Jehkinen and Kimmo Lehtonen of Finland 490-466 in the semi-final. The Japanese pair, meanwhile, sailed past third seeds Kang Hee-won and Shin Seung-hyeon of South Korea 447-379 in the other semi-final.
