Mika Koivuniemi became the first European player to win the Japan Cup and solidified his standing as one of the worlds top bowlers, defeating fellow Dennys Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour star Mike Wolfe, 200-178, to win the Dydo Japan Cup 2007 on September 23 at the Tokyo Metro Gymnasium.
The win was the eighth Dennys PBA Tour title of Koivuniemis career, and gave him a title in 11 different countries. The Finland native has been bowling on the Dennys PBA Tour for nine years after spending 10 years with Team Finland.
Its great to win anywhere, but to win in Japan and to win in an arena atmosphere makes it even more special, Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) said. I have bowled in a few arena finals but never won until now so its just a great feeling to do it in front of a big crowd like this.
Koivuniemi and Wolfe were the only two PBA stars to advance to the eight-bowler finals after a format change which featured single elimination, best-of-three games match play through the Round of 16 as opposed to the round robin format used in years past. Last season, all nine finalists were from the PBA.
This years finals had an international flavor as five Japanese bowlers, one Korean, one American and one Finish bowler made up the final eight. The home crowd in Japan was hoping to see a Japanese bowler win the Japan Cup for the first time since 1988.
Koivuniemi took home $50,000 for the win, while Wolfe earned $26,000.
The complete championship round of the Dydo Japan Cup 2007 will air tape-delayed on ESPN Sunday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. ET.