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

Kang Hee Won celebrates his masters success with his supporters ©ITGSouth Korea's Kang Hee Won won the masters competition gold medal after a 213-198 victory against the United States' Mike Fagan here at the 2014 World Bowling Men's Championships (WBMC). 


Having posted totals of 6,829 and 8,520 at stages one and two respectively, Kang went on to win his semi-final against compatriot Park Jong Woo 231-190, before seeing off Fagan 213-198 in the Championships' finale. 

The triumph caps off a memorable two days for Kang, who was part of the five-man South Korean squad that beat the United States in yesterday's more prestigious team competition final. 

"I wasn't expecting to win the masters because the focus was on the team event," said Kang.

"I'm really happy but it's not more [important] than the team event gold medal."

Mike Fagan heads home from the 2014 World Bowling Men's Championships with four silver medals to his name ©ITG Mike Fagan heads home from the 2014 World Bowling Men's Championships with four silver medals to his name ©ITG





For Fagan however, it was another case of what might have been as he finished runner-up for a fourth time at these Championships.

The most recent disappointment follows on from second place finishes in the trios, team event and all-events formats. 

Fagan was the lowest of the qualifiers for the masters semi-finals but after beating another Korean, Choi Bok Eum, in the last four, he was confident he could finally get over the finishing line. 

"It's not the way I envisaged it," said Fagan.

"I had a chance and unfortunately it didn't go my way.

"I'm getting close but now it's just time to seal the deal."

A decision is set to be made on the hosts of the 2018 WBMC at the World Bowling Executive Board meeting, which is due to take place tomorrow and Tuesday (December 16) here in Abu Dhabi. 

To view a full breakdown of the results from this year's Championships, click here.