World Masters 2018 in Charlottesville
Australia emerged with six gold medals in the WSF World Masters in the USA state of Virginia – where Men’s O60 champion Geoffrey Davenport claimed a record-equalling sixth World Masters title and Women’s O45 champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald extended her remarkable unbeaten international record since 2001!
More than 750 players from a record 63 nations competed in the 15th edition of the biennial World Squash Federation staged at the McArthur Squash Center at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville – featuring 19 men’s and women’s events in categories ranging from Over-35 to Over-80.
Players from Australia headed the gold medal table, followed by England with five, Canada and hosts USA two, and single golds won by Netherlands, South Africa, Ireland and Cayman Islands.
After first winning World Masters gold in the O45 event in 2003 in Finland – then claiming his fifth in the O55 championship in Hong Kong in 2014 – 60-year-old Geoffrey Davenport (pictured above) was making his debut in the O60 event in Charlottesville. The top seed from Sydney breezed through to the final without dropping a game, then despatched surprise opponent Juan Mendez, an unseeded player from Mexico, 11-5, 11-5, 11-2.
Former world number one Sarah Fitz-Gerald enjoyed a distinguished career on the professional circuit where she won a then record five World Open titles. A firm favourite to defend her World Masters O45 title, the 49-year-old from Melbourne did so in some style – seeing off fellow countrywoman Susan Davis in the final 11-5, 11-4, 11-3.
The title is Fitz-Gerald’s third World O45 in a row, and follows three British Open Masters titles, a World Masters Games trophy and a World Masters O35 gold medal. The latest success also extends her winning run in all international events to 17 years – after suffering her most recent defeat in August 2001 in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open – to NZ rival Leilani Joyce!
“I love this sport, I’ve been playing since I was a kid,” said Fitz-Gerald, now a WSF Vice President (pictured above with Championship Director Mark Allen), after collecting her latest gold medal. “Just because I’m old and retired doesn’t mean I can’t keep playing. I still have the fire burning inside, and I think all of the old pros here still have that fire burning inside and want to see what they can do. As we all know we may get a little bit older and slower, but the game is still there. When you see the former pros reach the finals in this tournament, it’s a combination of knowledge and practicing our skills to keep ourselves up there.
“I’ve met so many extraordinary people spending a lifetime in this sport, and it’s so nice to be able to give back to it. All the former pros that are here are here because they love it, and hopefully everyone else has enjoyed watching them play.”
Is there a secret to her success? “My history, experience and knowledge is worth 50% in a match, even before the physical side kicks in as a factor. I love the event, the friendships and team spirit between nations, and just love playing.
“No surprise that I have the next World Masters in Poland and the World Masters Games in Japan in my diary.”
Distinguished former professional Brett Martin also provided gold medal success for Australia. Seeded four in the Men’s O55 event, the former world No.2 followed his upset over the top seed in the semis to beat compatriot Peter Gilbee 11-7, 12-10, 11-3 in the final.
“World champion always sounds good if your name is next to it, even if you’re older, slower, greyer and fatter, world champion is world champion,” Martin said. “It’s been great to travel here and catch up with so many people I haven’t seen in years. It’s fun playing in front of a crowd again, I haven’t played on a glass court in a long time, it was a bit of a strange experience. Thankfully all of the other guys had a little bit less experience than me.
“Thanks to everyone for coming out and shaking my hand, saying they followed my career. I’ve been out of squash for a long time, but I still enjoy getting in front of people and trying to perform for them. Hopefully you’ve learned a few things and maybe it’s opened your eyes to what’s possible on court, even at our age. You can always learn something, it’s just a matter of getting out there and trying. Anyone can do it, it’s just a matter of determination.”
All five of England’s champions were seeded to win their respective titles, including Nick Taylor (pictured below with fellow medallists) retaining the Men’s O45 title and Ann Manley retaining the Women’s O70 title. After losing in the O35 final in Johannesburg two years ago, Lauren Briggs coasted to her first World Masters title against compatriot Selina Sinclair.
The eldest age group, Men’s O80, saw England’s top seed Lance Kinder come back from a game down against USA’s Ed Burlingame to win his first World Masters title. Jill Campion, winner of a U.S. nationals title, rounded out the English champions in an all-English O60 final to win her first World Masters title.
Team USA’s Natalie Grainger ended the day on a high note for the home crowd, maintaining her unbeaten World Masters record with a second consecutive title-her first in the O40 division.
Northern neighbours Canada matched USA’s total of two World Masters champions: Men’s O75 fifth seed Howard Armitage thwarted second seed Gerald Poulton‘s title hopes in a five-game final. Lauren Wagner became the lowest-seeded champion by completing her surprise women’s O50 title run with an upset over Australian top seed Sarah Nelson.
MO35
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [2] Alister Walker (BOT) 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 11-2
Third place play-off:
[5] Alejandro Garbi Caro (ESP) bt [3] Wael El Hindi (USA) 11-3, 11-8, 11-2
WO35
[1] Lauren Briggs (ENG) bt [2] Selina Sinclair (ENG) 11-2, 11-2, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[6] Reka Burmeister (ENG) bt [5] Margaret Gerety (USA) w/o
MO40
[1] Liam Kenny (IRL) bt [3] Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) 11-7, 11-4, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[5] Craig Ruane (RSA) bt [15] Wai Chung Wong (HKG) 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-2
WO40
[1] Natalie Grainger (USA) bt [2] Melissa Martin (AUS) 9-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[4] Samantha Herbert (RSA) bt [3] Jacqueline Ryder (RSA) 11-6, 11-5, 11-9
MO45
[1] Nick Taylor (ENG) bt [2] Zuko Kubukeli (RSA) 11-2, 11-6, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[3] Adrian Hansen (RSA) bt [12] Galen le Cheminant (USA) 11-9, 11-4, 5-11, 11-9
WO45
[1] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) bt [3] Susan Davis (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 11-3
Third place play-off:
[4] Karen Meakins (BAR) bt [2] Rachel Calver (ENG) 11-9, 11-1, 11-7
MO50
[1] Michael Tootill (RSA) bt [2] Hansi Wiens (GER) 12-14, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9
Third place play-off:
[3] David Sly (CAN) bt [13] Sean Ryan (AUS) 11-8, 11-9, 11-9
WO50
[15] Lauren Wagner (CAN) bt [1] Sarah Nelson (AUS) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5
Third place play-off:
[3] Hope Prockop (USA) bt [5] Wendy Ansdell (ENG) 11-4, 11-1, 11-4
MO55
[4] Brett Martin (AUS) bt [3] Peter Gilbee (AUS) 11-7, 12-10, 11-3
Third place play-off:
[2] Fredrik Johnson (SWE) bt [1] Willie Hosey (IRL) 11-5, 12-10, 11-6
WO55
[1] Susan Hillier (AUS) bt [3] Mandy Akin (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[2] Fiona McLean (SCO) bt [4] Sue Williams (AUS) 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7
MO60
[1] Geoffrey Davenport (AUS) bt Juan Mendez (MEX) 11-5, 11-5, 11-2
Third place play-off:
[4] Pierr Roodt (RSA) bt [2] Jeremy Goulding (ENG) 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 10-12, 11-9
WO60
[1] Jill Campion (ENG) bt [2] Karen Hume (ENG) 5-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5
Third place play-off:
Shirley Whitmore (RSA) bt Maureen Duke (IRL) 11-6, 11-2, 11-5
MO65
[1] John Macrury (CAY) bt [6] Mario Raponi (CAN) 11-2, 11-6, 11-6
Third place play-off:
[10] John Carroll (AUS) bt [4] Wayne Weatherhead (CAN) 11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7
WO65
[3] Gaye Mitchell (AUS) bt [1] Laura Ramsay (CAN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
Third place play-off:
Yvonne Trotter (AUS) bt [2] Faith Sinclair (SCO) 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 12-14, 11-6
MO70
[1] Brian Cook (AUS) bt [3] Ian Ross (SCO) 11-1, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10
Third place play-off:
[7] Frikkie Bester (RSA) bt [5] Aubrey Waddy (ENG) 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-2
WO70
[1] Ann Manley (ENG) bt [6] Margaret Hunt-Kemp (RSA) 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6
Third place play-off:
[4] Marilyn Kennedy (AUS) bt [2] Robyn Prentice (AUS) 11-4, 6-11, 6-11, 13-11, 11-5
MO75
[5] Howard Armitage (CAN) bt [2] Gerald Poulton (CAN) 7-11, 11-5, 9-11, 15-13, 11-8
Third place play-off:
[8] Michael Gough (USA) bt [3] John Nelson (USA) 10-12, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8
WO75
Winner: [5] Joyce Davenport (USA); Runner-up [1] Jean Grainger (RSA)
MO80
[1] Lance Kinder (ENG) bt [3] Edward Burlingame (USA) 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2
Third place play-off:
[2] Barry Gardiner (NZL) bt [4] Stanley Fanaroff (RSA) w/o
- via WorldSquash.org