Who is World Indoor Bowls Championship player Jason Banks?
JASON Banks shocked the world of bowls when he reached the final of the World Indoor Championship in 2023.
Here we take a look at his life and career.
Who is World Indoor Bowls Championship player Jason Banks?
Jason Banks, born June 29, 1996, is a Scottish international lawn and indoor bowler who plays out of the Inverurie Bowling Club, Inverurie, Scotland.
His current WBT (World Bowls Tour) world ranking is 16.
In 2014 he reached the National Indoor Singles final, and in 2017 won three medals at the European Bowls Championships.
Jason won the 2019 National Under 25 Singles, as well as the Junior Singles at the IIBC Championships of the same year.
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The sport is somewhat of a family affair, with both his sister Clara Banks and father Colin Banks being international bowlers.
Aside from competing in professional bowls, Jason works as a design engineer.
Has Jason Banks won the World Indoor Bowls Championship before?
No, Jason hasn't won the tournament yet.
But in last year's edition he made an astonishing run to the final after knocking out defending champion Les Gillett in their second-round match.
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Speaking after the win, he said: “It’s quite surreal to be through. I never expected anything like this to happen. I’m delighted.
“I was happy with how I played [against Gillett] and maybe had just one or two ends where I was a wee bit scratchy.
“I’m just taking one game at a time and enjoying being here.”
He eventually fell just short of glory, losing to England's Jamie Walker 8-7, 7-7.
After losing the closely contested final, Banks said: “I’m absolutely gutted to have lost out there but huge congratulations to Jamie.
“He played so well during the whole match and thoroughly deserves it.
“It was amazing and I really enjoyed the experience of it.”
At the start of the 2023 World Indoor Bowls Championship, before his impressive run to the final, Jason was somewhat of an outsider for the title, as he was ranked 37 in the world.
When is the World Indoor Bowls Championship on?
The World Indoor Bowls Championships 2024 got underway on Friday January 5, 2024.
And the tournament will conclude on Sunday January 21, 2024.
The Open Singles quarter-finals are scheduled for Friday January 19, followed by the semi-finals on January 20.
The Under 25 final takes place on the evening on January 20.
The Open Singles final is on the afternoon of Sunday January 21.
It is being staged at the Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
This is officially the 25th year the World Indoor Bowls Championships has taken place.
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Much of the competition is available to watch on BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button and the BBC Sport website and app.
Some matches are also being shown on BBC Two.