Tommy Jones wasn’t even sure if he was going to be able to compete in the 2010 World Bowling Men’s Championships. His groin was injured. His leg had turned purple. The team considered bringing in a last-minute substitution.

Jones, however, persevered, and the coaching staff decided to let him compete. And in the biggest event of the week that year in Munich, Germany, Jones delivered some of the best shots of his life.

To this day, Jones says the final frame of that five-player team event, the most coveted of all team event titles in the world, were his most memorable in his Team USA tenure. His double in the final frame locked up the world title for the United States against Finland.

“A lot of factors led to that moment,” Jones said. “I’m fortunate it did because that experience of turning around and seeing my teammates coming at me to celebrate are memories I will always cherish.”

Jones and his teammates hope to make more memories like that when the 2018 World Bowling Men’s Championships get underway Sunday in Hong Kong with qualifying. FloBowling will broadcast the semifinals, final and medal ceremony from each event live from Dec. 1-5.

Team USA will take one of its youngest teams in years into the World Championships with veterans Jones and Chris Barnes guiding teammates Andrew Anderson, Jakub Butturff, Kyle Troup and EJ Tackett. Jones is 40, Barnes is 48 and the rest of the team is 27 or younger.

“They are young guys but they are not quite as young as their age seems because they have so much experience,” Jones said. “I think we need to get a little bit of the youth into the Team USA program and get things changing a little bit. Barney and I have been there a long time, so it’s time to build up the young guys.”

While Jones is focused on the future of Team USA, no one can forget the past and his impact on the team. Jones has been on Team USA since 2008, when the rule changed allowing professionals to represent national teams.

Over that span, Jones has competed in five World Championships, helping the United States bring home the gold medal in team event three times while finishing with the silver twice. He is also the defending doubles champion with Barnes.

“Anytime you get to wear red, white and blue it’s always very important something that I cherish,” Jones said. “It’s always been the most fun in terms of team bowling that I’ve ever had. The gratification that you get when you get to stand on the podium and hear the national anthem? There’s nothing like it, and hopefully it’s something we get to experience one or two more times while we are over there.”

Jones and Team USA will once again have their sights set on the coveted five-player team event title. The finals of that event Dec. 4 live on FloBowling starting at 4 a.m. Eastern. For the complete broadcast schedule, click here.