A Legend of this Era – Belmonte Scoops 6th Player of the Year Award
By Lynne Clay
Earning a sixth PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR award reinforces Jason Belmonte’s legendary status in the sport of tenpin bowling internationally. 37 year-old Belmonte from Orange, New South Wales is on track to match the historic achievement of two bowling icons – Earl Anthony and Walter Ray Williams Jnr. He is now tied with Anthony at six Player of the Year awards and has his sights set on equalling Williams with a seventh.
Voting by fellow players and veteran bowling journalists narrowed the selection of the 2020 Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year to three finalists – Jason Belmonte and Americans Bill O’Neill and Kris Prather. Despite COVID putting the clamps on sport worldwide, Belmonte topped the PBA 2020 rankings in competition points, scoring average and earnings and captured three PBA titles including two majors to seal today’s honour.
Belmonte’s insatiable competitive drive was evident when speaking to PBA CEO, Colie Edison about future plans during this morning’s streamed ceremony. “If I can be brave and bold, I’d say my goal now is to match Walter Ray’s seven and actually make eight,” he said, adding his enormous appreciation for the team from Storm Bowling and other sponsors who support him professionally.
The 2021 PBA Tour resumes with a revamped and expanded PBA Player’s Championship mid-January and Belmonte is keen to participate. “It’s not going to be easy next year and it will involve a few extra sacrifices but I’m planning to compete next month and stick around till the season is done. I can’t wait to hit the lanes in 2021!” he added.
The Professional Bowlers Association has announced the PBA Tour will begin its 2021 season with the $1 Million PBA Players Championship tournament starting on the weekend of 15 January, with a revolutionary new format and a record-setting $250,000 first place prize on the line. All the action will be televised across the US on FOX and Fox Sports’ FS1, and live streamed on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. Select highlights will be available on @FOXSports social handles across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube while international fans can watch live on FloBowling.com.
Belmonte’s huge fan base is swarming on social media to congratulate their hero … find further details of Belmo’s outstanding 2020 season on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and a full wrap of today’s Player of the Year award at www.pba.com.
