One Giant Leap for Belmonte

Written By: Mike J. (Jakubowski) Laneside and Keith Spear | Written On: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 | Updated On: Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The Importance of Jason Belmonte's ESPY Win and His Impact on Bowling

By: Mike J Landside

The way I see it, sports fans have spoken. Collectively, sports fans. You know -- the ones that are needed to take a serious interest in professional bowling to fuel growth?

On July 13, 2011, history was made at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Twenty-seven-year-old Australian Jason Belmonte earned the ESPY Award for “Best Bowler.”

For a moment, c’mon, just for a fleeting moment, take a look at the bigger picture with me. It’s just a little hop forward, one small step for a bowler, perhaps one giant leap for bowlingkind?

For the first time in the 18-year history of the “Best Bowler” ESPY Award, a player under the age of 30 won the award. For the first time in history, a two-handed player won the ESPY. For the first time in history, a player born outside the United States of America won the ESPY.

In my opinion, all positive for the future benefit of professional bowling; and here’s why:

A generation ago, beginning his second decade as a pro bowler, Norm Duke enjoyed a truly great season in 1994, earning four titles on the way to his second major at the 1994 PBA Tournament of Champions. That momentum thrust the future PBA Hall of Famer to the first two “Best Bowler” ESPYs at age 30 and 31 in 1994 and 1995.

Duke, the youngest bowler ever to win a PBA Tour title, won his first title in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1983 at the age of 18. Then, the cries of “Duuuke” ignited a new generation of pro bowling fans, the echoes of which can still be heard today.

A contemporary player, Duke burst onto the PBA Tour scene in the mid-80s and won the attention of the sporting public at large to take home the first two ESPYs. Since those first two years, no player under the age of 35 has ever won an ESPY “Best Bowler” Award. The ESPY for “Best Bowler” has been completely dominated by players winning their first ESPY over the age of 35: Bob Learn Jr. (35), Mike Aulby (36), Parker Bohn III (36), Walter Ray Williams Jr., (38), and Pete Weber, (39).

It clearly takes pro bowlers over a decade of accomplishment to enter the minds of most sports fans who vote for the ESPY. Belmonte just jumped the learning curve and conventional wisdom.

Across all sports, new players generate new interest and new fans. The NBA, NFL, NHL, and Major League Baseball drafts all provide entry level for new talent and new interest every year. On the tennis and golf scene, new and younger players drive new interest, new fashion, new equipment, and new ways of playing the games.

Perhaps the interest level for high school, collegiate, and international bowlers to compete on the PBA Tour is now bolstered by success from one of its peers. The idea that somebody under 35 can compete and have success is powerful -- for the first time in nearly 20 years, many more younger players may decide to compete as a member of the PBA. The PBA is the only place to get this kind of recognition.

Only PBA players are included on the ballot, no one that is not a member of the PBA will ever win an ESPY. Jason Belmonte previously won tournaments all over the world; it was only after Belmonte joined the PBA that he could possibly be considered for an ESPY.

The ESPY Award is for “Best Bowler”, fans vote for all ESPY award categories including pro bowling. Sometimes voters pick the PBA Player of the Year from the previous season, sometimes they do not. Pete Weber has never won PBA Player of the Year, yet PDW has two ESPYs, did Weber “deserve” those ESPYs?

There has been much conversation about whether Belmonte “deserved” to win the 2011 ESPY Award for “Best Bowler.” Mika Koivuniemi won $250,000 at the PBA Tournament of Champions, PBA Player of the Year and made the telecast at each major last season. Chris Barnes has been dominant from Thursday-Saturday taking his chances on Sunday for over a decade and Bill O’Neill is emerging as another budding under-30 star and major champion on the PBA Tour. All “deserving.” Why did the voters do what they did? Could “Best Bowler” mean more than just what happened in the last calendar season?

Belmonte proved he belonged with “The Greatest Bowlers in the World” when he won his first PBA Tour title in the 2009-10 season. Belmonte didn’t win a title on the 2010-11 PBA Tour, but what he did do was generate considerable national and international mainstream media interest. He competed and contended while bringing a new, revolutionary style to the PBA Tour. Belmonte brings a fresh new energy to the competitions and a cheeky manner that is attractive to a new generation of bowlers. Jason clearly provides a needed spark to move pro bowling forward to engage new viewers, members, bowlers, and competitors.

An important youth movement, a new attitude and an international resume as the PBA Tour will meet the new World Bowling Tour at the 2011 PBA World Series of Bowling. If you have the view that the “Best Bowler” ESPY Award should only go to the reigning PBA Player of the Year, I wouldn’t want to be the one to inform Pete Weber that he has to give his two ESPYs back.

Have you ever enjoyed debating who was left off the All-Star Game roster of your favorite sport? Have you ever enjoyed debating what team did or didn’t make the NCAA Basketball Tournament? That’s what sports fans do.

Like it or not, sports fans voted for Jason Belmonte as the 2011 ESPY Award winner for “Best Bowler.” Maybe the ESPY voters voted for the future of the PBA Tour, not the past for the very first time. And if they did, maybe, just maybe, the PBA Tour is moving in the right direction after all – forward.

Jason Belmonte Since This Article Was First Written In 2011

By: Keith Spear

Since receiving the ESPY award in 2011, Jason Belmonte’s influence on the sport of bowling has grown tremendously, and his accomplishments have solidified his place among the greats of the sport. Known for his unique two-handed style, Belmonte not only captured the attention of fans around the world but also demonstrated the effectiveness of an untraditional approach to bowling. His technique has since inspired a new generation of bowlers to experiment with styles outside the conventional one-handed approach, fueling interest in the sport among youth and aspiring players globally.

Belmonte's achievements over the past decade have redefined the standards of excellence in professional bowling. He has won numerous titles, including 15 major championships, which is more than any other player in PBA history. This record-breaking streak began shortly after his ESPY win and continues to be a benchmark for future bowlers. His titles include five Tournament of Champions wins, three World Championships, three U.S. Opens, and four PBA Players Championships. This list of achievements underscores his consistency, adaptability, and prowess across different tournament conditions and formats.

One of Belmonte’s most significant contributions to bowling has been his influence on the sport’s global popularity. He is one of the few professional bowlers to have achieved substantial recognition outside the United States, bringing international attention to the PBA. His success in Australia and his significant following on social media have helped to make bowling more accessible and appealing to fans worldwide. Belmonte frequently interacts with fans online, sharing insights into his training, mental approach, and the technical aspects of his game, which has helped demystify the sport and encourage more people to take it up.

Belmonte’s success also paved the way for other two-handed bowlers to pursue professional careers in the PBA. Young bowlers like Anthony Simonsen and Jesper Svensson have openly cited Belmonte as an inspiration and a reason for their entry into the sport. Simonsen became the youngest player ever to win a PBA major, following in the footsteps of Belmonte and validating the legitimacy of the two-handed style. This new generation of players has not only increased competition within the PBA but has also diversified the styles and techniques seen in the sport, making it more exciting for spectators.

In addition to his competitive success, Belmonte has been a key advocate for the modernization and growth of bowling as a spectator sport. He has often voiced his ideas on how bowling events can be more fan-friendly, and his influence has coincided with changes in how the PBA presents its tournaments. In recent years, the PBA has incorporated more engaging broadcast elements, including mic’ing players, using new camera angles, and offering live-streaming access. Belmonte’s focus on entertainment has helped bring bowling closer in line with other major sports, where presentation and fan engagement are paramount. This shift has been crucial for the PBA's survival and growth in a competitive sports market.

Beyond his contributions to professional bowling, Belmonte has also helped to advance the sport through his work with equipment companies. As a representative of Storm Bowling, he has been involved in developing and promoting bowling balls tailored to modern techniques, including two-handed styles. His partnership with Storm has led to innovations in ball technology, giving players more options and encouraging further exploration of different playing styles. These developments have made it possible for players at all levels to maximize their performance, whether they use a traditional or modern approach.

Belmonte has received multiple accolades for his contributions to the sport. In addition to his ESPY win, he has earned the PBA Player of the Year award six times, a testament to his dominance and consistency over the years. His success and sportsmanship have garnered respect from his peers and the bowling community at large, reinforcing his status as a role model and ambassador for bowling. He has repeatedly expressed his gratitude to fans and often attributes his success to the support he has received from the bowling community worldwide.

Jason Belmonte’s impact on bowling is also evident in how he has changed perceptions of the sport. Before Belmonte, bowling was often seen as a traditional, niche sport with limited appeal to younger audiences. Through his charisma, openness, and willingness to push boundaries, he has shown that bowling can be thrilling, strategic, and worth following as a competitive pursuit. His influence has encouraged a new generation of bowlers to view the sport as dynamic and has helped position bowling as a more inclusive and forward-looking activity.

As of today, Jason Belmonte continues to compete at the highest level, inspiring both fans and fellow competitors. His story exemplifies what is possible in professional bowling and highlights the potential for innovation within the sport. Looking ahead, Belmonte’s legacy will likely be measured not only by his titles and records but also by his role in shaping the future of bowling. He has set a new standard for what it means to be a professional bowler, and his influence will be felt for many years to come.

Jason Belmonte's Lifetime Accomplishments

Jason Belmonte is an internationally renowned professional bowler from Australia, famous for his revolutionary two-handed bowling style. Below is a list of his notable career accomplishments, high scores, and series:

PBA Tour Titles

• Belmonte has won 31 PBA Tour titles, including a record-setting number of major championships.
• He has captured 15 major titles on the PBA Tour, setting the all-time record for the most majors by a single player.

Major Championships

• USBC Masters: 5-time champion (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019)
• PBA Tournament of Champions: 3-time champion (2014, 2015, 2019)
• PBA World Championship: 3-time champion (2017, 2019, 2020)
• U.S. Open: 1-time champion (2020)
• PBA Players Championship: 3-time champion (2011, 2022, 2023)

High Scores and Series

• Highest sanctioned game: 300 (Perfect game) 25 in PBA competition
• Achieved numerous 800+ series throughout his career. Not specifically documented

Records and Milestones

• First bowler in history to win five USBC Masters titles.
• Only bowler to win three consecutive USBC Masters titles (2013-2015).
• Holds the all-time record for most major championships on the PBA Tour.
• First non-American player to be awarded the PBA Player of the Year title, which he has won five times (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019).
• Only bowler in PBA history to win both the Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year and the Harry Smith PBA Points Leader award in consecutive years (2013-2015).

International Achievements

• Represented Australia in multiple international competitions, winning titles and contributing to the global popularity of bowling.
• Known for his global influence and expanding the fanbase of professional bowling through his unique style and sportsmanship.

Impact on the Sport

• Popularized the two-handed bowling style, which has inspired a new generation of bowlers worldwide.
• Increased global viewership and participation in bowling through his success and charisma.
• Influenced equipment technology and training methods, adapting the sport to accommodate diverse styles.

Awards and Honors

• ESPY Award for Best Bowler: 2011, marking the first time an international bowler and a two-handed bowler won the award.
• PBA Player of the Year: 5-time recipient (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019).
• Named to the PBA's "50 Greatest Players in History" list in 2008 and recognized as one of the most influential bowlers of his time.

Additional Notable Statistics

• Career PBA Tour earnings exceed $2 million, placing him among the highest earners in the sport.
• Frequent competitor on the World Bowling Tour (WBT) and winner of multiple WBT titles.
• Has achieved televised 300 games, including a memorable 300 in the 2019 PBA World Championship.