As the final squad of singles came to a close Thursday at the 2007 World Tenpin Bowling Association Women's World Championships, Team USA's Shannon O'Keefe of Rochester, N.Y., sat nervously waiting in the stands to hear if she would hold on to win the gold medal.

As the news got to her that she indeed had become just the second American woman in World Championships history to win the singles gold, O'Keefe gasped for air, threw her hands into her face and began crying.

"I don't think I can describe this feeling, it's so surreal," said O'Keefe, who posted a six-game total of 1,362 on the third of four singles squads. "When I found out I won, I couldn't breathe and then I felt relief more than anything. There were so many good women bowling on that last squad, and I was a nervous disaster."

When the dust settled after the final squad, it turned out O'Keefe didn't have much to worry about after all. The three medalists all competed on the third singles squad.

Joining O'Keefe on the medal stand is Ann-Maree Putney of Australia, who took silver with 1,336, and Malaysia's Wendy Chai, who earned bronze with 1,302.

Since singles was added to the World Championships in 1978, the United States has had just one champion before O'Keefe's victory. Kelly Kulick won the gold medal at the 1999 championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

O'Keefe's teammate Tennelle Milligan of Costa Mesa, Calif., had a shot at the gold medal in All Events. Needing 248 in the final game of singles, Milligan shot 214 and settled for the silver medal.

Korean left-hander Choi Jin-A won the gold with a 24-game total of 5,316, an average of 221.5 per game. Milligan finished with 5,282 while Australia's Putney took bronze with 5,256.

"In a way, I'm a little disappointed because I didn't bring home the gold," said Milligan, who finished singles in 33rd place with 1,225. "I had a chance, but I just couldn't get it done. I was just lacking a little something today."

Video from the Women's World Championships Singles event

Courtesy of Lucas Wiseman





The Women's World Championships features 225 athletes from 43 countries competing in six events - doubles, trios, team, singles, all-events and Masters.


Please use the left menu bar to view the complete standings or click here:

Singles

All Events

Masters