A total of four bowlers were sent, led by experienced trainer Dominique De Nolf from Dilbeek. Dominique is certified as a level 3 coach, which indicates a high level of expertise. He was also coach of the Bowlmaster 11 team, which achieved an exceptional performance in 2024 by winning the Challenge Cup ‘J. Felsenstein’.
He is also professionally active in the bowling world as manager at DNMC Belgium / Bowling-Ball Shop in Mons. He provides technical support to both amateurs and professionals. He also offers training courses, clinics and internships at various bowling centres in Belgium.
Christophe Bartholomé
Christophe Bartholomé from Noduwez (affiliated with Woluwe SSB) was the only Belgian player to finish 29th out of 56 participants at the previous Deaflympics in Malaysia, which was disappointing both for himself and the many supporters who cheered him on. He then bounced back in 2023 at the World Championships in Munich, where he won a magnificent individual bronze medal with an average of 207.50 points per game out of 114 participants! During these World Championships, he demonstrated his technical abilities and skills on numerous occasions.
In August 2024, he confirmed his talent once again at the European Championships in Wemmel, winning three bronze medals (Doubles, Team and All Events). He was noticed by many foreign countries as the man to beat in the future. Christophe has since been classified in the A category BBSF – FSSB, which also shows that he is the most talented deaf Belgian bowler, who has a good chance of winning a medal at the Deaflympics in 2025.
Over the past four years, he has consistently averaged 200 points or more per game. His goal now is to take that final step towards the absolute world top. At the moment, he is by far the number one in Belgium and one of the best in Europe!
Michel Rivez
Partly due to Christophe's success, the other Belgian players have followed his lead and are also eligible to achieve good results in other disciplines, resulting in a double bronze medal at the European Championships in doubles and teams.
Michel Rivez (affiliated with RLS Brussels and currently ranked No. 2 in Belgium) has been asked to provide Christophe with mental support. He averages 180 points, but can make a difference at important moments. The bowling competition lasts 10 days, during which time it will be important to support Christophe mentally and play alongside him in the doubles and team competitions. He will also participate in the individual competition.
Thomas Bartholomé
Thomas Bartholomé is Christophe's older brother and achieves the same level as his other teammates alongside Christophe. Some days he performs exceptionally well and can therefore be decisive in all disciplines when he is in good form. He won bronze in the team discipline at the 2024 European Bowling Championships: this was his only international medal. He will also participate in all three disciplines in Tokyo.
Vincent Lorant
Vincent Lorant is the fourth member of the team and is just as important as his other partners Michel and Thomas, making him a very important team player. The bronze medal in the Team event at the 2024 European Bowling Championships is also his only international medal.
Program
- 14+15+16 November: training sessions
- 17 November: Singles (qualifications)
- 19 November: Singles (finals)
- 21 November: Doubles
- 23 November: Team competition
