WYC Daily Update: Australia set for two gold medal matches in Kuching
By Matt Stevens
Australia heads into Finals Day at the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships with two opportunities to bowl for gold in Kuching.
Julian Dinham will contest the Men’s Singles gold medal match after a superb 2-0 semi-final victory over New Zealand’s Ben Pettit. Dinham won 229-197 and 290-229 to secure his place in the final.
He will face Sweden’s Emil Svensson, who progressed from the other semi-final after defeating the United States’ Landin Jordan in two games. Both Dinham and Svensson topped their respective Matchplay groups on the way to the final.
Australia’s men will also bowl for the Men’s Team World Youth Championship title, taking on the Czech Republic in the gold medal match.
The two teams met during Matchplay, with Australia claiming a 205-179 victory on the way to topping Group B. The Czech Republic finished second in the group before defeating Group A winner Qatar in the semi-final, while Australia swept the United States 2-0 to reach the final.
What happened yesterday
Men’s Singles Semi-Final
Julian Dinham produced a brilliant semi-final performance against New Zealand’s Ben Pettit to progress to the Men’s Singles gold medal match.
Dinham took the opening game 229-197 before delivering an outstanding 290 in Game 2 to close out the series 2-0.
The result continues a remarkable Singles campaign for Julian, who qualified 13th before topping Men’s Matchplay Group A with six wins from seven games and a 239.6 average.
| Game 1 | 229-197 |
| Game 2 | 290-229 |
A well-earned break from the lanes
With so much of the Championships spent preparing for and competing in medal-round action, Team Australia’s planned sightseeing did not quite eventuate, which was a pretty good problem to have.
The group did, however, enjoy some well-earned downtime away from the lanes, fitting in a little retail therapy, relaxing together and playing pool.
It has been a huge week of bowling, but the team has remained positive throughout. A talented group of young Australians who have embraced every opportunity in Kuching.
Today’s schedule in AEST
Finals Day has arrived in Kuching, with Team Australia set to contest two Men’s gold medal matches.
11:00-12:15 AEST
Men Singles Finals
Julian Dinham (AUS) vs Emil Svensson (SWE)
Medal Ceremony to follow
16:00-17:15 AEST
Australia vs Czech Republic
Blake Walsh, Jackson Buckingham, Julian Dinham, Nicholas Rajkovic
Medal Ceremony to follow
17:15-18:30 AEST
Women’s Team Finals and Medal Ceremony
Our women’s team of Bella Westlake, Brianna Walsh, Emily Hart, Samantha Clifton will receive their BRONZE medals at the medal ceremony.
21:00 AEST
Victory Banquet
What’s Next?
Today marks the final day of competition at the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships.
Whatever happens on the lanes, Team Australia has produced an outstanding Championships campaign, with a Women’s Team bronze medal already secured and two more gold medal opportunities still to come.
Follow Team Australia
Follow Team Australia throughout the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships via the Team Australia Hub for daily updates, Australian results, schedules and key event information.
All live streaming will be on the IBF YouTube page which you can find the links in our Team Australia Hub.
AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE!
