Jason Belmonte's popularity among bowling fans became apparent Wednesday when the Australian two-handed player was selected as the fans' choice for the 2011 "Best Bowler" ESPY Award at the annual ESPY Awards ceremony at Nokia Theater.

With seven top 10 finishes during the 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season and a win with New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul (below right) as his doubles partner in the Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational, Belmonte won the fan voting contest on ESPN.com over fellow PBA Tour competitors Mika Koivuniemi, Chris Barnes and Bill O'Neill.

Belmonte, the 2008-09 PBA Rookie of the Year, was the first player to win a PBA Tour event with a two-handed delivery.

"I'm so excited to win the ESPY," said Belmonte, who was on hand in Los Angeles to accept his award. "I'd like to thank my family and friends and to everyone who voted. I will remember this for a very long time."

ESPY Award candidates are selected by ESPN staff for a variety of sports and special moments in athletic competition, and winners are determined by fan voting.

Best Bowler ESPY Award Winners
2011 – Jason Belmonte
2010 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.
2009 – Norm Duke
2008 – Norm Duke
2007 – Norm Duke
2006 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.
2005 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.
2004 – Pete Weber
2003 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.
2002 – Pete Weber
2001 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.
2000 – Parker Bohn III
1999 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.
1998 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.
1997 – Bob Learn Jr.
1996 – Mike Aulby
1995 – Norm Duke
1994 – Norm Duke

 

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