By Daniel Etchells at the Khalifa International Bowling Centre, Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi

The South Korean team celebrate their gold medal winning success ©ITGSouth Korea struck gold in the team competition here at the 2014 World Bowling Men's Championships after a thrilling victory against the mighty United States.

The Koreans produced a superb performance to claim a 1097-1088 win, having earlier posted the top score of 3563 in the second block and beaten Australia 1082-924 in the semi-finals.

The team comprising of Park Jong Woo, Choi Bok Eum, Shin Seung Hyeon, Hong Hae Sol and Kang Hee Won was narrowly trailing for much of the match but turned the tide in the final three frames and held out to secure their country's first-ever team gold medal. 

Despite having also won the doubles final on Tuesday (December 9), Park made it clear that this triumph was the highlight of his career. 

"It's very nice because it's our first team gold medal and it's my second world medal," he said.

"We had a lot of things to worry about ahead of the final because it was against the US, the world's best team.

"The five guys are like a dream team and they're all PBA [Professional Bowlers Association] players. 

"It's the happiest day of my life."

The United States battled hard but ultimately fell short ©ITGThe United States battled hard but ultimately fell short ©ITG







Doubles partner Choi had even more reason to celebrate as his overall average of 233.46 saw him claim the all-events gold medal ahead of the US's Mike Fagan, an opponent in the team event final, and Canada's Dan MacLelland. 

Both Park and Choi, will compete in tomorrow's 24-player masters competition, as will Fagan who has had the misfortune of finishing runner-up in the trios, the team event and the all-events at these Championships.  

Speaking after the defeat to Korea, he said: "It's very, very disappointing.

"This is maybe my last opportunity at a team gold so it's frustrating, it's disappointing and it's tough to get that close and fall short.

"But I have another opportunity tomorrow with the masters and hopefully I'll take home the gold."

Sweden were the other beaten semi-finalists in the team competition and received bronze medals, along with Australia.

Action from the Championships can be accessed by clicking here.

To view a full breakdown of the results thus far, click here.

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