Team USA - Para Bowling

The Team USA program soon will be accepting resumes from para bowlers interested in representing the red, white and blue at the 2026 International Bowling Federation Para Bowling World Championships, which will take place at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl, Siam Paragon in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 29 - May 10, 2026.

Team members for the Para Bowling World Championships will be selected by the National Selection Committee from the submitted applications, which will be accepted from Jan. 1-31, 2026. The committee is planning to select three male and three female athletes to compete in Bangkok, two from the TPB8 classification and one from either the TPB9 or TPB10 classification.

According to IBF, TPB8 wheelchair athletes must play the sport in a wheelchair and are not allowed to stand up while throwing the ball. TPB9 are bowing athletes without a lower limb and may have a prosthetic leg but cannot be motorized. TPB10 are bowling athletes without an upper limb and may have a prosthetic arm but cannot be motorized. Prosthetic limbs and arms must be passive prosthetic devices that do not move on their own. They are neither body powered nor myoelectrically powered. In simple terms, they must be non-powered prosthetic devices. Those selected to compete will receive a paid entry into the events, airfare, lodging and official uniforms.

Para Team USA 2022
2022 and 2023 Para Bowling Team USA (from left): Mark Shepherd, George Holscher, Jennifer Hooten, Emma “Toodie” Perry, Stacy Sanders, Eddy Hutchens and David Nelson Jr. (not pictured - Debra Freed)


2021 Team USA Para Athletes
2021 Para Bowling Team USA (from left): Eddy Hutchens, Franktown, Colorado; Emma "Toodie" Perry, Bakersfield, California; Debra Freed, Framingham, Massachusetts; Shawn Beam, Burleson, Texas