ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 20 (UPI) -- A Special Olympics bowling champion has challenged U.S. President Barack Obama to a grudge match, after Obama joked about his own bowling skills on television.

Obama, during the first appearance ever by a sitting U.S. president on a late-night talk show, told NBC's Jay Leno that he had scored 129 bowling at the White House lanes, calling his skills "like Special Olympics or something." The White House press office issued a statement before the show aired Thursday night emphasizing Obama's respect for the Special Olympics and saying he was joking about his own bowling ability.


Kolan McConiughey, a six-time Special Olympics bowling champion, showed off his ability Friday for reporters, The Ann Arbor News said. McConiughey, 35, who has been bowling since he was 8, is cognitively impaired.

"Bring it on, Obama!" says McConiughey, who has bowled five perfect games. "I challenge him! I'll show him how to do it."