World-beating year for tenpin bowling champion Jason Belmonte

Australia's Jason Belmonte has been enjoying a well-deserved festive season following an extraordinarily successful 2011.

Belmonte ended the year with victory at the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Johannesburg, capping a series of international awards and achievements on and off the lanes during the year.

Belmonte began 2011 by winning a Celebrity Invitational Doubles title in America with NBA All-Star Chris Paul for the second consecutive year, and racked up three more tournament wins in Kuwait and Australia in the lead up to a glittering ceremony in Los Angeles mid-year when he was announced winner of 'Best Bowler in 2011' at the Excellence in Sports Performance Awards (ESPYS).

A stunning victory at the PTT World Bowling Tour Championship in Thailand in September and an unprecedented seven championship Finals appearances at the PBA's 'World Series of Bowling'- including three major title wins - followed in quick succession.

Belmonte then set his sights on the coveted Bowling World Cup, a title that had eluded him twice previously. Continuing the form that elevated him into the ranks of Australia's sporting elite, 'Belmo' overcame the competition of talented players from over 80 countries to win this prestigious tournament, bowling two 300 games along the way to lift his career tally of perfect games to 56.

Capturing the awe and excitement of a telecast perfect game is rare, but Belmonte has lifted that bar this year as well, with a thrilling televised 300 game to clinch the WBT Championship in Thailand, and then became only the 21st bowler in the 53-year history of the Professional Bowlers Association Tour to achieve the distinction of a televised perfect game during this year's World Series of Bowling held in Las Vegas.

After winning the Pepsi PBA Elite Players Championship, Belmonte remarked "you get out what you put in", adding "I have worked so hard on my game both physically and mentally, and it really paid off."

Belmonte's achievements were acknowledged before Christmas with a Civic Reception in his home town of Orange and a letter of congratulation from Federal Minister for Sport, Senator Mark Arbib.

Senator Arbib wrote "Jason's continued success on the international stage has been fantastic to see and I join with the City of Orange and Australians everywhere, in congratulating Jason on his achievement

"As the first Australian male bowler to win the World Cup title Jason has cemented his place in the record books and will go down as one of Australia's greatest ever bowlers."

Belmonte enjoyed the Christmas/New Year holiday period with his family and friends in Orange before flying back to the United States for the resumption of the PBA Tour and to compete in 2012 WTBA World Bowling Tour events in America, Japan, and the Middle East in coming weeks.

Full details of World Series of Bowling tournaments, and a complete schedule of the remaining 2011/12 Tour events can be found at www.pba.com

19th July 2011 - BOWLING’S BELMONTE HONOURED AT USA’S ESPY AWARDS