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WORLD MASTERS Geoff Davenport

All photos courtesy of the WSF Record equalling 6th World Title ASP squashmedia .com.au GREEN & GOLD WSF World Masters Championships Charlottesville, USA 29 July – 4 August 2018 By Howard Harding

Australia emerged with six gold medals in the WSF World Masters Squash Championships in the USA state of Virginia - where Men's O60 champion Geoff 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 headed the gold medal table, followed by with five, Canada and hosts USA two, and single golds won by Netherlands, South Africa, Ireland and Cayman Islands.

After first winning World Brian Cook Masters gold in the O45 event in 2003 in Finland - then Geoff Davenport claiming his fifth in the O55 Sarah Fitz-Gerald ASP championship in Hong Kong in Sue Hillier 2014 - 60-year-old Geoff Brett Martin Davenport was making his Gaye Mitchell 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 - ASP squashmedia .com.au GREEN & GOLD after suffering her most recent defeat in August 2001 in the semi-finals of the - 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, 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." ASP squashmedia .com.au

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Queensland’s Brian Cook won his 5th world masters title when he took out the O70 event.

His opponent, #3 seed Ian Ross from Scotland, pushed the Aussie all the way in their 36 minute 5 game decider.

Cook began well winning the first 11-1 but Ross fought back strongly and opened up a commanding 2 games to 1 lead. Cook levelled at 2-2 before taking out the match in a close contest 12-10. O70M 2018 WORLD CHAMPION: [1] Brian Cook (AUS) FINAL Def [3] Ian Ross (SCO) 11-1, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10 (36m) Semi Final Def Aubrey Waddy (ENG) 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 (18m) Quarter Final Def Claudio Hassler (SUI) 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 3rd Round Def John Cosmi (USA) 11-4, 11-7, 11-0 2nd Round Def Alan Vaton (USA) 11-1, 11-6, 11-7 1st Round BYE ASP squashmedia .com.au

Geoff Davenport’s win in the O60 event equalled the record for the most world championship titles won by a male player.

Davenport’s victory draws him level with South African Craig van der Wath on six world titles.

Davenport was simply a class above his opposition winning all his matches in three. ASP

O60M 2018 WORLD CHAMPION: [1] Geoff Davenport (AUS) FINAL Def Juan Mendez (MEX) 11-5, 11-5, 11-2 (15m) Semi Final Def Pierr Roodt (RSA) 16-14, 11-7, 13-11 Quarter Final Def Steven Baicker-McKee (USA) 11-2, 11-7, 11-7 4th Round Def Stephen Hufford (USA) 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 3rd Round Def Dominique Dautrement (FRA) 11-1, 11-3, 11-5 2nd Round Def Arturo Salazar (MEX) 11-2, 11-4, 11-3 1st Round BYE ASP squashmedia .com.au

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There is no stopping our legend Sarah Fitz- Gerald.

Her wins were all in three and the points she dropped were 6- 12-14-12.

Nothing can be said except ... Congratulations Sarah! You are still the best.

O45W 2018 WORLD CHAMPION: [1] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) FINAL Def [3] Susan Davis (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 11-3 (16m) Semi Final Def [4] Karen Meakins (BAR) 11-9, 11-3, 11-2 (15m) Quarter Final Def [9] Melanie Kreisel (GER) 11-3, 11-3, 11-6 2nd Round Def Connie Sacchetto (CAN) 11-1, 11-3, 11-2 1st Round BYE ASP squashmedia .com.au

It was world title # 2 for Western Australia’s Sue Hillier when she took out the O55 event.

Like Davenport and Fitz-Gerald the Aussie dominated the field winning all her matches in three. Hillier was clinical with her performances limiting her opponents to minimal points (11-10- 16-16).

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O55W 2018 WORLD CHAMPION: [1] Sue Hillier (AUS) FINAL Def [3] Mandy Akin (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 (22m) Semi Final Def [4] Sue Williams (AUS) 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (19m) Quarter Final Def [9] Jackie Gregory (ENG) 11-5, 11-1, 11-4 2nd Round Def Jennifer Gabler (USA) 11-3, 11-4, 11-4 1st Round BYE ASP squashmedia .com.au

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Former world #2 Brett Martin (March 1994) finally got his moment to experience what its like to win a world individual crown when he took out the O45 event.

Seeded #4 for the event Martin destroyed #1 seed Willie Hosey from Ireland in the semi final before beating Aussie Peter Gilbee in the final.

O55M 2018 WORLD CHAMPION: [4] Brett Martin (AUS) FINAL Def [3] Peter Gilbee (AUS) 11-7, 12-10, 11-3 (19m) Semi Final Def [1] Willie Hosey (IRL) 11-9, 11-2, 11-9 (20m) Quarter Final Def [5] Dominic Hughes (USA) 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 4th Round Def Brian Sheldon (USA) 11-2, 11-7, 11-4 3rd Round Def Jose Aguiar (POR) 11-1, 13-11, 11-3 2nd Round Def Salman Rasool Quadri (PAK) 11-3, 11-2, 11-4 1st Round BYE ASP squashmedia .com.au

Tassie’s finest Gaye Mitchell won her second masters world title when she won the O65 event.

After dropping a game in her quarter final match, Mitchell went into overdrive winning her semi final in 13 minutes before destroying the #1 seed 3-0 in the final . ASP

Awesome effort Gaye!

O65W 2018 WORLD CHAMPION: [3] Gaye Mitchell (AUS) FINAL Def [1] Laura Ramsay (CAN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 (18m) Semi Final Def Faith Sinclair (SCO) 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 (13m) Quarter Final Def Denise Kyme (BER) 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 1st Round Seiko Tochinai (JPN) 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 ASP squashmedia .com.au AUSTRALIA ON THE PODIUM Men’s 55 Winner: Brett Martin Runner-Up: Peter Gilbee Men’s 60 Winner: Geoff Davenport Men’s 65 3rd: John Carroll Men’s 70 Winner: Brian Cook Women’s 40 Runner-Up: Melissa Martin Women’s 45 Winner: Sarah Fitzgerald Runner Up: Sue Davis Women’s 50 Runner Up: Sarah Nelson Women’s 55 Winner: Sue Hillier Women’s 65 Winner: Gaye Mitchell 3rd: Yvonne Trotte Women’s 70 3rd - Marilyn Kennedy ASP squashmedia .com.au

MULTIPLE TITLES MULTIPLE TITLES Brian Cook 1995 45 1990 35 2003 55 2001 45 2008 60 2010 55 2014 65 Margaret Doueal 1993 55 2018 70 1995 60 Geoff Davenport 2003 45 Sarah Fitz-Gerald 2006 35 2006 45 2014 45 2008 50 2016 45 2010 50 2018 45 2014 55 Susan Hillier 2014 50 2018 60 2018 55 Ian Hocking 1991 55 Amanda Hopps 2008 35 1993 60 2014 40 Craig Rowland 2012 40 Heather McKay 1987 45 2014 40 1990 45 Peter Wright 1993 50 1993 50 1999 55 1995 50 SINGLE TITLE Gaye Mitchell 2008 55 Kevin Adams 1979 45 2018 65 Len Atkins 1979 45 Mary Sceney 2001 40 Mal Buck 1976 45 2014 55 Hugh Colburn 2006 60 Sue Volkze 2001 50 Ian Freeme 1995 40 2006 55 Fred Green 1995 65 2012 60 Ken Hiscoe 1983 45 SINGLE TITLE Vic Hunt 1995 75 Roma Casey 1995 65 Brett Martin 2018 55 Dianne Davis 1990 40 Jason Mudge 2008 35 Jenny Irving 1987 50 Terry Rippon 1995 60 Marilyn Kennedy 2016 65 Gregory Robberds 1991 45 2012 45 Max Samblebe 1995 50 Sarah Nelson 2008 40 Max Smyth 1995 65 Rita Paulos 1990 50 Thomas Spark 2001 45 Robyn Prentice 1990 40 Dean Williams 1991 35 Diane Ricardo 1997 35 Anne Richards 2006 50 Margaret Zachariah 1983 35 ASP squashmedia .com.au

Mal Buck 1976 45 Margaret Zachariah 1983 35 Kevin Adams 1979 45 Heather McKay 1987 45 Len Atkins 1979 45 Jenny Irving 1987 50 Ken Hiscoe 1983 45 Vicki Cardwell 1990 35 Dean Williams 1991 35 Dianne Davis 1990 40 Gregory Robberds 1991 45 Robyn Prentice 1990 40 Ian Hocking 1991 55 Heather McKay 1990 45 Peter Wright 1993 50 Rita Paulos 1990 50 Ian Hocking 1993 60 Heather McKay 1993 50 Ian Freeme 1995 40 Margaret Doueal 1993 55 Brian Cook 1995 45 Heather McKay 1995 50 Max Samblebe 1995 50 Margaret Doueal 1995 60 Terry Rippon 1995 60 Roma Casey 1995 65 Fred Green 1995 65 Diane Ricardo 1997 35 Max Smyth 1995 65 Mary Sceney 2001 40 Vic Hunt 1995 75 Vicki Cardwell 2001 45 Peter Wright 1999 55 Sue Volkze 2001 50 Thomas Spark 2001 45 Sarah Fitz-Gerald 2006 35 Geoff Davenport 2003 45 Anne Richards 2006 50 Brian Cook 2003 55 Sue Volkze 2006 55 Geoff Davenport 2006 45 Amanda Hopps 2008 35 Hugh Colburn 2006 60 Sarah Nelson 2008 40 Jason Mudge 2008 35 Gaye Mitchell 2008 55 Geoff Davenport 2008 50 Vicki Cardwell 2010 55 Brian Cook 2008 60 Michelle Martin 2012 45 Geoff Davenport 2010 50 Sue Volkze 2012 60 Craig Rowland 2012 40 Amanda Hopps 2014 40 Craig Rowland 2014 40 Sarah Fitz-Gerald 2014 45 Geoff Davenport 2014 55 Susan Hillier 2014 50 Brian Cook 2014 65 Mary Sceney 2014 55 Brett Martin 2018 55 Sarah Fitz-Gerald 2016 45 Geoff Davenport 2018 60 Marilyn Kennedy 2016 65 Brian Cook 2018 70 Sarah Fitz-Gerald 2018 45 Susan Hillier 2018 55 Gaye Mitchell 2018 65