WYC Daily Update: Dinham advances as Singles Matchplay begins
By Matt Stevens
Australia’s Singles campaign kicked off in Kuching on Sunday, with four men and two women taking to the lanes across the opening qualifying squads at the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships.
What happened yesterday
The day began with Australian athletes Brianna Walsh and Emily Hart, alongside Team Manager Janine Buckingham, joining the TVS broadcast for a pre-competition interview ahead of the women’s opening qualifying squad. The trio represented Team Australia superbly as the Championships’ live coverage got underway. The link below begins when the interview commences.
Men’s Singles Qualifying – Squad 1
Nicholas Rajkovic
| 203 | 233 | 217 | 204 | 218 | 204 |
| TOTAL | SQUAD POS. | AVG. | COMB POS. |
| 1,279 | 16th | 213.2 | 32nd |
Jackson Buckingham
| 225 | 228 | 195 | 185 | 199 | 266 |
| TOTAL | SQUAD POS. | AVG. | COMB POS. |
| 1,298 | 12th | 216.3 | 26th |
Nicholas Rajkovic and Jackson Buckingham were first to represent Australia in the Men’s Singles event, with six games determining their position ahead of the combined Top 16 cut for Matchplay.
Victorian Nicholas Rajkovic produced a remarkably consistent series, recording six consecutive games above 200. He moved inside the Top 16 after Game 3 and remained there through to the conclusion of Squad 1, finishing 16th with 1,279.
Jackson Buckingham produced a superb finish to his qualifying block. Sitting 23rd with one game remaining, the Logan Tenpin bowler surged into contention with a 266 final game – the highest Australian game of the day– to jump into 12th place in Squad 1.
Men’s Singles Qualifying – Squad 2
Julian Dinham
| 237 | 257 | 221 | 204 | 237 | 172 |
| TOTAL | SQUAD POS. | AVG. | COMB. POS |
| 1,328 | 7th | 221.3 | 13th |
Blake Walsh
| 188 | 175 | 195 | 200 | 218 | 237 |
| TOTAL | SQUAD POS. | AVG. | COMB. POS |
| 1,213 | 32nd | 202.2 | 68th |
Julian Dinham made an outstanding start in Squad 2, opening with games of 237 and 257 to sit second early in the block. He added three more 200-plus games to finish seventh in the squad with 1,328.
His total secured a place in the combined Top 16, with Dinham progressing to the Men’s Singles Matchplay in 13th overall.
Blake Walsh faced an uphill battle after a difficult opening three games but responded strongly across the second half of his block. He closed with his best game of the day, a 237, to finish 32nd in Squad 2.
Women’s Singles Qualifying – Squad 1
Samantha Clifton
| 227 | 196 | 257 | 134 | 237 | 181 |
| TOTAL | SQUAD POS. | AVG. |
| 1,232 | 3rd | 205.3 |
Bella Westlake
| 186 | 185 | 168 | 193 | 207 | 190 |
| TOTAL | SQUAD POS. | AVG. |
| 1,129 | 15th | 188.2 |
Bella Westlake and Samantha Clifton opened Australia’s Women’s Singles campaign to close out Sunday’s play.
Samantha Clifton delivered a strong qualifying performance, remaining among the leading bowlers for much of the squad. Despite one challenging fourth game, Clifton finished third in Squad 1 with 1,232 and an average of 205.3, placing herself in a promising position ahead of the final qualifying squad.
Making her debut in Australian colours, Bella Westlake delivered a consistent six-game performance. Her high game of 207 game in Game 5 as she finished 15th in the squad with 1,129.
Today’s schedule in AEST
The second Women’s Singles qualifying squad opens Monday’s program before the Singles event moves into Matchplay.
11:00 – 14:00 AEST
Women’s Singles Qualifying Squad 2
Emily Hart & Brianna Walsh
9, 27, 25, 19, 11, 7
15:00-17:00 AEST
Men’s Singles Matchplay
Julian Dinham – GROUP A
17, 14, 15, 13, 11, 18 and 12.
18:00-20:00 AEST
Women’s Singles Matchplay
Athletes to be confirmed following Women’s Singles Qualifying Squad 2.
What’s Next?
Following Monday’s Matchplay rounds, the remaining Singles semi-finalists will wait until Sunday, 5 July, to resume their medal campaigns.
The Doubles event begins on Tuesday. Women’s Doubles qualifying will be completed across two squads, while the first Men’s Doubles qualifying squad will also take to the lanes. The second Men’s Doubles squad follows on Wednesday before both events move into Matchplay.
Follow Team Australia
Follow Team Australia throughout the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships via the World Youth Championships 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. Links to the Opening Ceremony replay have been added to the Team Australia Hub for those who missed it.
AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE!
