6th July, Kuching, Sarawak: Emil Svensson of Sweden swept past Julian Dinham of Australia, 2-0 in the Boy's Singles final of the 2026 IBF World Youth Bowling Championships to capture his first gold medal while Katelyn Abigania defeated Gianna Brandolino, 2-0 in the all-American Girl's Singles final for her gold medal.

Svensson took the first game of the best-of-3 final, 227-212 against top-seed, Julian Dinham of Australia but narrowly lost the second game, 220-231 to set up a third deciding game. The 20-year-old Swede put on a spectacular performance to romp home a comfortable 264-190 win for his first gold.

The Swede had dispatched third-seed, Landin Jordan of USA, 2-0 (235-207 and 232-218) in yesterday's second semi-final match. Dinham also delivered a stella performance to sweep past Ben Pettit of New Zealand, 2-0 (221-197 and 290-229) in the first semi-final match.

Dinham and Jordan had finished first and second in Group A Matchplay round five day ago with 18 and 12 points respectively yo advance to the semi-final. Svensson and Pettit tied with 15 points but the Swede claimed top spot with a higher final match score to the New Zealander. Both advanced to the semi-finals.

In the all-American Girl's Singles final, Katelyn Abigania edged team-mate, Gianna Brandolino, 245-237 in the first game. Abigania went on to win her first gold medal with a 247-212 win in the second game with Brandolino settling for the silver.

The champion needed a third game to end Singapore's hope of a final spot with a 224-190 victory. The American lost the first game, 192-228 to Hazel Tan Wei Ning but recollected her composure to take the second game, 201-172 forcing the decider.

Brandolino also needed a third game to take out a second Singaporean, Lim Shi En with a 225-163 win. The American lost the first game, 201-246 but ran away with a massive win in the second, 280-198 forcing the tie into the third deciding game.

Lim topped Group A Matchplay round with 18 points. Tan defeated another American, Elizabeth Teuber, 255-228 in a two-way tie-breaker to advance as second finisher of the group after both completed the Matchplay round with 15 points each. Abigania also tied with Brandolino in Group B Matchplay round but Abigania claimed top spot with a higher final match of 211 to Brandolino's 207.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.

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