Bowling is a fairly popular sport with over 67 million people playing it annually. Its popularity peaked during the 1960’s after the invention of automatic pinsetters that helped bowling achieve its status.
The industry has seen a rise from $4 billion to $10 billion in a span of 4 years since 2014. Competitive bowling still exists to this day, and anyone from aged 9 to 90 can take a bowling ball and slide it along the lanes.
There are those who take the competition further and set world records, so here are some facts about bowling you may not know yet.
1. The Largest Stack of Bowling Balls
Shen Xiaoshi of China probably got sick of balancing river rocks and started using bowling balls. On January 8, 2016, Shen stacked 10 bowling balls vertically – you heard that right – right before a camera filming his act during the Guinness World Records Special in Beijing.
Too bad Shen wasn’t able to put the 11th ball as they all crashed down.
2. No age is too old for anything
Jean Ella Cowles was 94 years old and was still playing as a member of Spalding and competed in the lanes of District Indoor Bowls Club. She has focused on this hobby since her husband died in 50s.
3. Anything can be Juggled…even Bowling Balls
In August 2018, David Rush attempted to juggle bowling balls. He was successful, as he was able to juggle 3 bowling balls. But the very first man to try this feat was Milan Roskopf of Slovakia. Milan joined a juggling marathon in November 2011 at Prague to show off his skills. It was 7 years after David would equal the record number.
4. “I will go the distance…”
For anyone who is no longer satisfied with playing at Brunswick or Stars & Strikes and are up for a change, they should visit the Inazawa Grand bowling center in Japan. It opened on March 24, 1972 to the public. Over a hundred people can go bowling all at the same time because there are a total of 116 lanes.
5. What’s a headache?
A human’s skull can withstand a lot of pressure. However, this man put it to the test when he caught 6 bowling balls using his forehead in 30 seconds. He performed in front of an audience of 300. Matt Baker achieved this record in January of 2014, at Coeur d’Alene in Idaho.
6. My arms hurt already, but not for…
Stephen Shanabrook who completed 643 games. He was able to finish the game in 134 hours and 57 minutes. The record was achieved at the Plano Superbowl in Texas. The Plano Super Bowl operates 24/7 and Shanabrook was averaging 5 games an hour at the time he achieved his record.
He did have 5 minute breaks every hour and he accumulated these so he could rest, attend interviews, eat, and go for bathroom breaks. Stpehen broke the record of Andy Milne from Canada who set a 120 hour record.
These are just some of the record setters in the world of bowling. The record for the longest bowl streak isn’t grabbed by anyone yet, so you can make your own bowling lane and attempt a strike. Or you can simply have a lovely time at Dave & Busters.