EN VOGUE IN VENEZUELA

Venezuelans are ardent bowling enthusiasts and can often be seen in international competitions, wearing shirts such as this one. In 1959, Venezuela became the first non-European nation to join the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ). During the inter-American championship in Caracas in 1964, American commentators made note of the voracious Venezuelan enthusiasm for bowling. The city hosted a number of international tournaments and was chosen for the FIQ Congress in 1983. Perhaps it was this enthusiasm that inspired Amelto Monacelli to pick up a ball. The Venezuelan star was inducted in the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 2012.