LONDON, ENGLAND, January 30, 2004 - The 2003 AMF Bowling World Cup champions, Kerrie Ryan-Ciach of Canada and C.J. Suarez of the Philippines, are enjoying the spoils of victory back home.
 

 

Ryan-Ciach was honored January 18 in Toronto, Ontario, at a tribute sponsored by Bowlerama West bowling lanes, the Bowling Proprietors Association of Ontario, the Bowling Proprietors Association of Canada, and Bowling Sales of Canada. Current and past Team Canada members joined the 32-year-old Mississauga resident in an exhibition match, followed by dinner. AMF's Central Regional Manager Brian Cook, Team Canada national bowling coach Sandy Lowe, and representatives from Ontario's provincial government were among those saluting the country's first World Cup champion in 23 years.

On the other side of the world, Suarez, 24, is being revered as a national hero. He received the key to his hometown of Makati City and was named co-winner of the Philippine Sportswriters Association "Athlete of the Year" award with boxer Manny Pacquiao. Philippine media have ordained him heir apparent to the legendary Paeng Nepomuceno, who won an unmatched four AMF World Cups. Suarez -- newfound fame has even spawned hope that tenpin bowling may be included in the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

Ryan-Ciach and Suarez look forward to defending their titles December 5-12 at the 40th annual AMF Bowling World Cup in Singapore. Like any other bowler, however, the champions must first win their national World Cup finals to qualify for the trip. The 40th AMF World Cup, the world's largest annual international sports championship in terms of number of participating nations, will be held at the new SuperBowl Telok Blangah, a 34-lane center currently under construction.

The AMF Bowling World Cup is the world's largest annual international sports championship in terms of number of participating nations. AMF Bowling Worldwide Inc., the founder and principal sponsor of the Bowling World Cup, is the world's largest owner and operator of bowling centers. AMF is also a leader in the manufacturing and marketing of bowling and billiards products.