1986 Copenhagen, Denmark

It was an all-Swedish affair when the AMF Bowling World Cup made its second appearance in Copenhagen.

Annette Hagre, a 34-year-old secretary from Malmo, demolished just about every record en route to victory in the women's division. Peter Ljung, a 20-year-old rookie from northern Sweden, took the men's title.



 
Both champions had amazing stories to tell of their paths to victory. Hagre had endured a long and difficult operation to remove a ganglion in her bowling wrist a few months before the tournament. She didn't begin practicing until about a month before Copenhagen, but still managed to lead the field at Rodovre Bowling Center every day but one, with a 200-plus average. Hagre finally dispatched Rebecca Watanabe of the Philippines in the two-game title match, 405-393.

Ljung's story was even more astonishing. An out-of-work youngster from a bleak village, he learned to bowl without an instructor or even a how-to book. Who would have guessed that a floppy-haired Scandinavian would be the one to deny Paeng Nepomuceno his third Bowling World Cup crown, and by a score of 413-392? Ironically enough, Ljung was the same age -19 - as Nepomuceno when the Filipino star won his first World Cup.

Archives

Since the first event in 1965, winning AMF’s Bowling World Cup title has been the most coveted goal in amateur bowling. Whether held in the shadows of the Great Pyramids in or under the bright lights of , each tournament has provided unforgettable moments from competition that has spanned five decades.

Browse the archives to discover or revisit these moments, competitors, and the great champions that have made up the rich history of AMF’s Bowling World Cup.