2019 QubicaAMF World Cup kicks off with opening ceremony
November 17, 2019
PALEMBANG, Indonesia - For the last few days, Team USA's Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, and John Janawicz of Winter Haven, Florida, have been immersed in Indonesian culture.
The two have enjoyed local cuisine and entertainment and met countless residents and bowling fans, all of whom have been incredibly welcoming, some even a little starstruck.
The focus for Kulick and Janawicz now will change from acclimation and exploration to competition, and a formal opening ceremony Sunday at the Jakabaring Sport City Bowling Center signaled the start of the reason the two United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famers are in Palembang - the 2019 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup.
The festive ceremony offered the perfect transition with a memorable combination of local flair and tradition and a celebration of more than five decades of QubicaAMF World Cup competition.
The kickoff included the parade of countries, words of encouragement from local and bowling dignitaries, player oath and authentic Indonesian music and dances performed in vibrant costumes.
This week's event is the 55th edition of the storied tournament and will include nearly 140 competitors from 75 countries.
Official practice at the 2019 World Cup took place during the day Sunday, and competition at the 40-lane facility will get underway Monday morning.
The men will hit the lanes for their first round of qualifying at 9 a.m. local time (Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern), and the women will get going at 3 p.m. local time (Monday at 3 a.m. Eastern). The order will change for each of the four days of qualifying.
All competitors will bowl 24 games of qualifying (six games each day), before the field is cut to the top 24 for eight additional games. Total pinfall after 32 games will determine the eight men and eight women who will advance to round-robin match play.
The top four in each division then will move on to the knockout-style semifinals based on their 40-game totals, including bonus pins for each win in match play.
The defending champions at the World Cup are the United States on the women's side and Australia for the men.
Kulick will be responsible for defending the title won by Shannon O'Keefe in 2019, while Australia's Sam Cooley will get to put his own title on the line.
Additional past winners in the field include Aumi Guerra of the Dominican Republic (2010, 2011) and Krizziah Lyn Tabora of the Philippines (2017).
The World Cup first was contested in 1965, and the tournament now is considered one of the sport's most prestigious singles titles. It also is recognized as the largest event in the sport in terms of number of countries competing.
The last time the event was held in Indonesia was in 1980, when it visited Jakarta.
Kulick and Janawicz earned their spots at the 2019 World Cup by winning the 2019 USBC Team USA Trials in January.
To see the complete schedule for the 2019 World Cup, visit QubicaAMF.com.
The two have enjoyed local cuisine and entertainment and met countless residents and bowling fans, all of whom have been incredibly welcoming, some even a little starstruck.
The focus for Kulick and Janawicz now will change from acclimation and exploration to competition, and a formal opening ceremony Sunday at the Jakabaring Sport City Bowling Center signaled the start of the reason the two United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famers are in Palembang - the 2019 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup.
The festive ceremony offered the perfect transition with a memorable combination of local flair and tradition and a celebration of more than five decades of QubicaAMF World Cup competition.
The kickoff included the parade of countries, words of encouragement from local and bowling dignitaries, player oath and authentic Indonesian music and dances performed in vibrant costumes.
This week's event is the 55th edition of the storied tournament and will include nearly 140 competitors from 75 countries.
Official practice at the 2019 World Cup took place during the day Sunday, and competition at the 40-lane facility will get underway Monday morning.
The men will hit the lanes for their first round of qualifying at 9 a.m. local time (Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern), and the women will get going at 3 p.m. local time (Monday at 3 a.m. Eastern). The order will change for each of the four days of qualifying.
All competitors will bowl 24 games of qualifying (six games each day), before the field is cut to the top 24 for eight additional games. Total pinfall after 32 games will determine the eight men and eight women who will advance to round-robin match play.
The top four in each division then will move on to the knockout-style semifinals based on their 40-game totals, including bonus pins for each win in match play.
The defending champions at the World Cup are the United States on the women's side and Australia for the men.
Kulick will be responsible for defending the title won by Shannon O'Keefe in 2019, while Australia's Sam Cooley will get to put his own title on the line.
Additional past winners in the field include Aumi Guerra of the Dominican Republic (2010, 2011) and Krizziah Lyn Tabora of the Philippines (2017).
The World Cup first was contested in 1965, and the tournament now is considered one of the sport's most prestigious singles titles. It also is recognized as the largest event in the sport in terms of number of countries competing.
The last time the event was held in Indonesia was in 1980, when it visited Jakarta.
Kulick and Janawicz earned their spots at the 2019 World Cup by winning the 2019 USBC Team USA Trials in January.To see the complete schedule for the 2019 World Cup, visit QubicaAMF.com.