Inglese Fornasari Remo - Bowling Italia

As I prepare to write these lines, I am still dazed by the warm welcome I received after my World Cup victory. This beautiful adventure begins on Wednesday, November 4th at 6 a.m., with the Bologna – Rome train journey, which lasted 4 hours (there was no high-speed train, ed.)

After a brief stop at the Federation, we set off at Fiumicino Airport by car accompanied by President Murè (how scary, it looked like Alboreto in Monza).

After the customary greetings, Fabia Baldana (the Italian women's representative) and I set off promptly at 3:30 pm for Malaysia.

Short stopover in Athens, then back on the flight to Karachi in Pakistan. A 5-hour layover, which between layover and departure procedures, is reduced to just 2 hours spent in a short nap in a small cell in a local hotel.

After 21 hours of grueling travel, we finally arrive in Kuala Lampur, where we find the organizers waiting for us, who transport us to the Hilton Hotel by van. Before the event begins, we have two days to start doing some’ shopping and trying out the slopes of Mirana Bowling, located on the 5°th floor of a beautiful building.

After the welcome reception, here are the rehearsals for the parade, the weighing of the bowls and, therefore, finally the big day. Parade of all participating nations with dances, national folk dances, speeches by organizers, sponsors, authorities and throwing of the first bowl performed by Regent Kuala Lampur.

Sunday, November 8th, begins with the women's qualification (18 matches); Fabia, our representative, isn't there for a handful of pins (in my humble opinion, only due to lack of experience) but leaving, if that's any consolation, world-class athletes behind her.

On Mondays and the following days, the men's qualifiers (24 matches) begin, at the end of which the top 16 advance. My behavior allows me to rank 9°, and with that pass the round.

The next 16 matches (15 petersen + position defense) were very close, in the end with second place I finished for the next round. Here begins the dispute (7 petersen + position defense) to conquer the 5 best positions before facing the final roll – off. At the end I find myself in first place, losing only one match. This is how the final begins, and while my opponents faced each other and warmed up, I sat at the bar, watching them on television and drinking Coca-Cola (Montenegro didn't have it).

My turn is finally turning and, serene and calm as ever, I'm about to take to the track. For the most important final of my life with the moral and technical assistance of Jucci Gastaldi (she had offered to sit next to me during all the matches played in the previous days) who, worried, came looking for me to persuade me to warm up, which I firmly refused.

After taking a test shot per track, I decided to start first, getting a strike. In the second round, I was able to double and play spares; in the third round, I managed another double. At this point I had the title in my grasp and was just waiting for the tenth frame to give vent to all my joy.

At the end, amidst the jubilation of Jucci, Fabia, my Swiss friends, Sergio (a friend of Gastaldi, who came specifically from Singapore to attend the World Cup), and all the spectators cheering me on, the joy made me pour crime.

The parties continued even at the closing banquet, the next day in the Chinatown, in the supermarkets, in the streets, I was made the object of exultation, having the people of this splendid country recognized and, stupendously, they demanded to have their picture taken with me and to have dozens of autographs signed.

On the way back, at the airports where we stopped, my victory also served as a pass, as the customs officers, recognizing me, also asked me for the photo with the dedication, without carrying out checks. The return journey, like the outward one, proved to be a very stressful one, but made very happy upon arrival by the presence of Murè and Stefania, my wife, my daughter, who, accompanied by their friend Loris Masetti, had left Bologna in the morning to pick me up. Of all this beautiful adventure, I will have forgotten many beautiful things I experienced in Malaysia, but unfortunately the emotion betrays me, and I can't describe all my joy. At this point I can only thank all the FISB staff headed by President Dr. Murè. Again Jucci, Fabia, my Swiss friends Lucio and Iris, Sergio (my unparalleled sidekick as an interpreter), the regions of Emilia, Lombardy, Tuscany, Orazio and Giulietta, the Municipality of San Lazzaro and all those, who with telegrams, telephone calls, handshakes and applause (apologizing if I forgot anyone) for the festive demonstrations towards me (perhaps I don't deserve everything I've received)

Allow me to address my friends Masetti and Ventura, at “Galeone” tutto, the club to which I belong, a particular thank you for the esteem and trust you have had in me, encourages domi to continue playing, after my internments to stop, for the well-known events of 4 years ago.

Greetings to all Italian bowlers, from your friend

Remo Fornasari

who kept Italy's name high at a World Cup..... WON! - Thanks Remo!