Free Press wire reports

RENO, Nev.

Gary Faulkner Jr. is the winner of the Professional Bowlers Association’s World Championship.

Faulkner, 25, of Memphis, Tenn., won the tournament Thursday, Dec. 17, to become just the second African-American to win a title in the PBA’s 57-year history.

A southpaw, Faulkner claimed victory and the $60,000 first prize with a 216-178 win over E.J. Tackett in the televised tournament that is considered the PBA’s crown jewel.

“The first shot I was nervous. But after that, my mind was free,” Faulkner said. “I didn’t come here to lose. I knew I could do it.”

Faulkner, who turned pro three years ago, joins pioneering African-American bowler George Branham III of Indianapolis as a PBA winner.

Branham, now retired, won five titles, including the 1986 Brunswick Memorial World Open and the 1993 Firestone Tournament of Champions.