MARIA BULANOVA

Age: 26

On Tour Since: 2021

Hometown: Moscow, Russia

Style: Right

I like to think of myself as an easy-going and fun person to be around as I joke a lot and am very easy to get along with. I can be shy at first, but it will take me about 10 minutes of conversation to get comfortable and show you my true self. I can look very serious while I'm bowling, but don't let that fool you. I grew up in Moscow, Russia and I started bowling when I was 6 years old. The summer before I went to the 1st grade, both of my parents worked and didn't want to leave me alone in our apartment. Luckily for us, there was a bowling alley right next to my dad's work at the time that had a bowling camp. We enjoyed different activities throughout the day, but bowling, obviously, was my favorite. At the end of the session, the camp hosted a mini-tournament and I won my division! The coaches noticed me and invited me to practice with them in the fall. Who would have known that this little camp could change my life so much? Pretty much every major event in my life has been connected to bowling. I am where I am right now because of this sport, and I will be forever grateful! I think my favorite thing to do outside of bowling is puzzles. I've been doing them since I was a kid and have a huge collection at home! Unfortunately, I don't get to do them too often anymore, but I have a lot of fun when I do. I also enjoy cooking, that's something I picked up my senior year of college and during the pandemic. I'm an extremely picky eater, but somehow enjoy making new recipes, especially desserts.

Career Highlights

Awards

Runner-up at 2021 PWBA Dallas/Fort Worth Regional


2019 NTCA Division I Player of the Year (Vanderbilt)


2017, 2019 and 2020 NTCA first-team All-American (Vanderbilt)


Member of 2019 NCAA Bowling Championship runner-up (Vanderbilt)


Member of 2018 NCAA Bowling Championship winner (Vanderbilt)


2018 NTCA second-team All-American (Vanderbilt)


2017 NTCA Division I Rookie of the Year (Vanderbilt)


First Russian player and youngest player ever (14) to win European Bowling Tour title


Other Achievments

Fourth-place finish at 2014 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup


Three gold medals, six silver medals and six bronze medals overall at the European Youth Championships