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7-Week Squash Fitness Bootcamp For My First Masters’ Tournament!

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masters squashI turned 35 a little over a month ago so I can now officially play as a Masters Squash player in squash tournaments. I also have the grey hairs creeping through my skull so I feel I’m aptly qualified.

My first involvement with any Masters’ squash event was in 2014 at the Hong Kong World Masters’ Championships. This is where I fell in love with the whole atmosphere of Masters’ tournaments.

The World Masters’ Squash Championships is taking place again this year, this time in South Africa in the 2nd half of September.

Although I’d love to go, unfortunately, logistics don’t allow for it this year. Hopefully, next time.

The Italian Masters’ Squash Championships

However, I will be playing in the Italian Masters’ Championships from 9-11th September. I don’t know who is entering but I do know that, in general, the 35+ age-group is fiercely competitive.

masters squashThink about it – someone like Nick Matthew could enter if he wanted to, or Amr Shabana or David Palmer. I would love to be able to play any top guys like this… when I say ‘play’, I mean run around like a chicken with its head cut off and just try to stay in the rallies as long as possible. 🙂

Reality is the guys who will probably be entering won’t be quite that good. But I’m still hoping to be playing players much better than me.

And what I’m really looking forward to in the next handful of years is meeting lots of new players and also running into old friends.

A Fitness Fighting Chance For A Masters Squash Player

For the next 6 weeks leading up to the Italian Masters Squash Championships, it gives me an opportunity to finish my 7-Week Squash Fitness Bootcamp – I just completed the 1st week.

I’ve committed to 10 minutes of exercise in the morning just after waking up and before having anything to eat. Add to that, 30 minutes later in the day for a harder fitness session.

masters squashWhile I won’t have the match-practice probably needed for a tournament like this, I have a trusted & willing training partner, Nejat Unal, who is kindly spending time on court with me at ClubSporium – Bostancı, in Istanbul.

(Of course, I’m doing regular solo-practice too.)

Nejat is an mid-level squash club player. And although his skill is quite a lot lower than mine he is enthusiastic. Because he is a former professional football player, he has a keen sports-mind – he listens, watches and always gives 100%.

We’re running a little experiement…

The Malcolm Willstrop Approach

While chatting with Malcolm Willstrop at one of the Hong Kong Open’s a few years ago, he was describing how he runs his club at Pontefract.

masters squashAt one point, for example, he described how his son James (former world #1) would regularly call up one of the junior players for practice, someone who he could annihilate in a match. Malcolm described how they would play condition games which restricted what James could do and forced him to be much more accurate…

…his nickname, by the way, is “The Marksman” 🙂

Malcolm encourages all his members, whether juniors or masters squash players, to do the same – play & train with players of all levels, whether they are much better or much worse than your level.

So, to whatever degree, I’m trying this approach out for myself.

My assessment for how effective I can make it won’t be the result of whether I win a match or two, or more. It will be how I’m feeling in the matches while playing.

I’ve been playing long enough to be able to gauge it. And I plan to play for many more years to come!

Peter Hill – My Inspiration For A Masters Squash Player

masters squashWhile living in Hong Kong, I was fortunate enough to get to know, play and train with Peter Hill, from Singapore.

Peter used to be around World #20 or so during the Khan era in the 80’s. Now he’s in his early 50’s and still playing tough – nearly knocked off Brett Martin at the World Masters’ Squash Championships 50+ semi-final in Hong Kong in 2014 in a tough 5-set match… definitely broke him down. 🙂

A couple of things he told me about why he’s still going strong are:

  1. He never stopped playing; and
  2. He set goals for himself to keep his mind focused and his body vibrant; he is still constantly playing in the top-level HK league & entering tournaments etc.

If I can be going as strong as him by the time I’m in my 50’s, I’ll be cheering!

Famous Last Words 🙂

So, I plan on continuing both with playing squash and also training the squash fitness workout which, I believe, is the best thing any player can be doing for their squash fitness, both in the short and long term.

Anyway, wish me luck and hopefully I’ll see you in Italy or at an upcoming tournament! Please come up and say hi 🙂

Have fun & play your own game!
Mick Holmes

P.S. For a closer experience of my preparation, check out Season #1 of The Friday Night Squash Fitness Podcast.

How To Go Blind Playing Squash!

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squash eyewearMy Dad nearly lost his sight in one eye while playing squash because he wasn’t wearing protective squash eyewear.

He was playing a friend in a local club match and the ball came at him quickly from an unexpected angle after hitting the crack between the front and sidewall.

The ball hit him directly in one eye and his body dropped. As it was late in the night, his friend had to drive him an hour and a half to the nearest hospital that was open.

Dad said each bump the car went over only magnified the already infinitely intense pain he was feeling…

…like a knife cutting into the back of his eyeball.

He stayed in hospital for two weeks, much of that time the pain persisted.

Fortunately, his eye recovered.

A 50/50 Chance

The guy in the bed next to Dad wasn’t so lucky.

Exactly the same thing happened to this guy – a squash ball hit him directly in the eye.

But the result for him was losing his eyesight completely – forever.

He now only had one eye to use for the rest of his life because of a stupid little black ball and the fact that he wasn’t wearing protective eye-wear.

My Dad took this as a cheap lesson.

From that moment he always wore protective eye-wear on court.

And in the mid-1980’s, the eye-wear that was available was awkward & uncomfortable to wear, not to mention how much they restricted your view on court.

However, Dad had learned his lesson and he knew the harsh reality that it’s just not worth the risk.

If you were going skydiving and were told that
there’s a 50% chance that
the parachute won’t open, you’d be like:
“Stuff that, I’m not going.”

squash eyewear

How The Eye-Ball Gets Sucked Out

Do you know that when a squash ball hits a wall at high speed it actually flattens out to a very thin sheet of rubber?

From the moment it begins to ‘un-flatten’ it’s actually sucking itself off the wall.

So when a squash ball hits an eyeball at high speed, in the process of ‘un-flattening’ it literally sucks the eyeball out of the socket — with extreme intensity, sometimes to the point of causing irreparable damage; that is, blindness.

squash eyewearIt’ll Never Happen To Me!

It might… and you are foolish if you don’t consider the possibility.

Protective eye-wear is mandatory for all junior players who are under 19 years of age. Why – because everyone knows the risk theoretically and for a kid to lose their eyesight at such an early age for such a stupid reason would be tragic.

So why should it be any different for you?

“Well, I’m an adult – I’m free to make decisions concerning my safety… after all, it’s my life.”

Plus, you might say, no professionals ever wear protective eye-wear, which brings me to the crux of my message here…

Professionals should wear protective eyewear
– and it should be mandatory.

If you ask them, 99% will say professionals have such control of the ball (infinitely more than a club player) that the risk is infinitely reduced, almost to zero.

In response, I would say 2 things:

  • First, accidents do happen – that’s why they’re called accidents.
  • Second, it sets the right example.

At the moment the only reason kids wear protective eye-wear – unless their parents are smart enough to explain to them the dangers of not wearing them – is because it’s mandatory.

Is this really the optimal message we want to be sending to impressionable little kids?

I admit though, the chance of protective eye-wear becoming mandatory for everyone – that is, professionals too – is close to zero, unfortunately.

So here’s the next best option…

squash eyewearWhat If Ramy Ashour Wore Protective Eyewear?

One of the kids I coach received a present for Christmas – the same kind of tights that Ramy Ashour uses.

Ramy is his favorite player so the idea of a boy wearing tights wasn’t even a little bit of a concern for him (not that there’s anything wrong with boys wearing tights but in some sections of society there’s a stupid stigma associated with this).

Ramy wears tights, so this kid now wears them, proudly.

The effect of just some of the top pros starting to wear protective eye-wear would be instantaneous and powerful.

It would all of a sudden be cool to wear eye-wear!

Like racquets, there would be signature brands, different colors & designs etc.

More importantly, when kids moved from U19’s to the open division they would keep wearing them because it would be cool and, over time, the idea of not wearing protective eye-wear would become something so obviously ridiculous.

Would You Play Squash Naked?

In the last 5 years, I only remember two times when I wasn’t wearing protective eye-wear – because I forgot to bring them or I left them somewhere the last time I played.

Those two times I felt like I was naked on court, like one of those dreams where you feel exposed.

And I regret that I walked on court without my goggles.

Stupid.

One other time I forgot my headband, without which sweat instantly started dripping on my goggles. It was in the middle of a league match.

I almost took them off and threw them over the back wall mid-game because the sweat on the lenses was seriously restricting my view.

Then I actually said aloud, firmly, “No!” while being keenly aware of the dangerous thought,

“Well just this one time it will be alright…”

Are You A Coach? What The Hell Are You Doing?squash eyewear

If you’re coaching players but not wearing protective eye-wear yourself, you’re a damn fool – for your own safety because you are training people who don’t have control of where they are hitting the ball, and because you are indirectly communicating to your junior players:

“Technically as a junior you do have to wear protective eye-wear
but, actually, it’s a load of bollocks.”

And if a junior comes to practice without their eye-wear but you let them play anyway – just this one time – shame on you.

Please, whether you’re a coach or just a keen player, set the example for your team-mates and competitors, but more importantly:

Save yourself from potentially going blind
– wear protective eye-wear.

How Protective Eye-wear Keeps You Focused

One final thought – I wear goggles every time I step on court, even solo-practice. I’ve actually trained myself to use them as a way to switch my mind on to keep laser focused on what I am doing and how I’m playing.

The only time I don’t wear goggles is when I’m training my squash fitness workout, either on or off-court.

Anyway, I see goggles as an advantage I have over other (stupid) players – like a productive kind of tunnel-vision that maximizes my mental fitness!

Have fun & play your own game!
Shmick Mick

How Would Michael Jordan Have Played Squash?

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0101007P MICHAEL JORDANIf you’ve ever seen footage of Michael Jordan taking a free throw with his eyes closed, to psyche out his opponents, then the answer to how he would have played squash surely would have been, at some point, with his eyes closed!

The more resourceful question though is how would he have trained for squash?

And the answer would be much the same as he did for basketball.

So how was that?

First To Arrive – Last To Leave

Jordan was known to be the first player at training. This is when he would give himself, for the most part, time to practice his shooting technique… jump-shots, 3-pointers, fade-aways, you name it.

Each shot he took before anybody else showed up to training was just a little more preparation for taking those classic game-winning shots in the dying seconds of a play-off game.

Jordan-gamewinnerIf he had been a squash player he would have been first at the courts to give himself time for 20-30 minutes of solo-practice – for the most part drives, or rails, which are fundamental for any squash player to maintain pressure on your opponent and keep it off yourself.

Solo-practice aside, before any squash training/playing Michael Jordan would have been smart enough to know that he needs to give his body 10-15 minutes for a dynamic warm-up.

And after an hour or two of playing, after all his training partners had cooled down, had showers and headed off to wherever, Jordan would have still been there…

Note: Being the last one at training doesn’t count if you’re just standing around chatting! 🙂

Natural Talent? More Like Work, Work, Work

monIt’s well known that Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school basketball team. He wasn’t considered a natural talent. But he did prove to everyone that he was willing to work hard.

Natural talent will get a decent junior squash player through the rankings.

After he/she turns 19 though and moves into playing open tournaments, if they are not willing to put sustained hours of training in, they will soon be overtaken by others who are willing.

Players with potential who have the drive to work hard might not have been at the top of the rankings as a junior – just like Michael Jordan wasn’t in his high school basketball team – but once they commit to their squash goals and are able to control who they surround themselves with and where, then it’s often just a matter of their mental fitness.

Michael Jordan had to be mentally strong whereas the players who made the basketball team in high school, probably had less of a need to be mentally strong:

  • Maybe they were just naturally tall from a young age…
  • Maybe they were just physically strong from a young age…
  • Maybe their father or uncle or friend’s parents were a basketball coach so they had one-on-one guidance from a young age…

But none of those guys had the inner-drive and desire to get better that Michael Jordan did… not at basketball anyway.

So if you have just a little bit of potential on the squash court and the desire to improve, target your practice by…

Working On One Thing

The Michael Jordan training ethic described above of being the first to arrive at training and the last to leave is wrapped up in the idea of working hard.

And working hard, day-to-day, often means focusing on one thing at a time.

Weak Chain-linkWhen I began playing again after a long break since my junior years, it was because I had the inner-drive to want to be on court. And my time on & off court is much more focused now.

As a player I am keenly aware of what the weakest link in my game is.

And as a coach, I am keenly aware of what the weakest link is for my student.

It doesn’t matter what standard of player I’m coaching or what standard of club player you are – the process is the same.

How To Be Like Michael Jordan On The Squash Court

If you’re a smart squash player, even if you’re not the most naturally gifted athlete, you can model your training ethic after that of Michael Jordan and maximize your potential…

Be the first to arrive, the last to leave, because
you want to work hard and practice.

Remember – practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect. So identify your weakest link at any given time… then work on that relentlessly!

If you do, you’ll actually enjoy your time more because you will feel your squash skills getting better as your mind is clearer and more focused.

Have fun & play your own game!
Shmick Mick

To Pakistan, The Squash-Mecca, And Beyond!

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In the early 90’s when I began regularly playing squash my favourite player was Jahangir Khan followed by Australia’s Rodney Martin.

The short grip they both adopted where they essentially choked the racquet definitely pervaded the first handful of years of my playing.

Of course, I had to also admire the sheer dominance and movement of Jansher Khan and Pakistan squash in general.

pakistan squash

With these two Khan-legends at the forefront of such a strong squash era, my love of Pakistan squash was cemented.

When I was 11 years old, I even completed a school project comparing & contrasting Pakistan and Australian sport, culture and way of life!

So when the Asian Squash Federation headed by Tony Choi from Hong Kong, along with Tariq Rana from the Punjab Squash Complex and Trevor Smith from Squash Australia, graciously approved my attendance for a Level 2 coaching course in Lahore, Pakistan to run from 27th October to 1st November 2014, I was excited to say the least!

Level 2 Pakistan Squash Coaching Course Legends!

The course was run by Chris Clark and Fahim Gul, two men with extensive experience who worked together harmoniously to conduct an enjoyable and extremely worthwhile six days.

pakistan squashI had worked as a volunteer referee with Chris at the World Masters’ in July earlier in the year where he had been tournament director.

However at the time I didn’t realize he had such deep history as a player, coach, referee, and whatever else you could name as a squash job – basically a resume as long as your arm!

Having already run coaching courses in Australia, Wales, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Kuwait and the Pakistan cities of Islamabad and Lahore, he was instrumental in the development of structures within Malaysian and Hong Kong squash, which still stand today.

Interestingly, both these countries performed extremely well at the recent Asian Junior Squash Championships, as did Pakistan who was coached by none other than Fahim Gul!

pakistan squashAlthough I didn’t know too much about Fahim before the course, other than he had been national coach of Singapore and Pakistan squash, and a phenomenal player, I had heard nothing but great things.

During the week, however, to see him feeding the ball was another thing – such soft hands, which made it seem like the racquet was connected to his body as one.

It reminded me of watching Ramy Ashour play. This allows Fahim to add slight variation for the player he is feeding.

It doesn’t have to be an elaborate drill, just basic stuff with enough variation to work the player effectively.

The Golden Nugget From My Pakistan Squash Trip

A few days into the course, a couple of the local junior players played a best-of-three match so us coaches could split into two groups and practice giving advice between games.

Although every coach was observing and commenting during the games, each group assigned just one of the coaches to speak to the player between games.

pakistan squashIn my group this was Faheem Khan, coach of leading Hong Kong players Max Lee (world #17), Leo Au (world #34), Annie Au (world #11), and some others at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

Watching how Faheem spoke to our player had a lasting impact and will influence me for years to come. He let the player sit down, made sure he had some water, and knelt down in front of him so he was at the same eye level.

He instructed him to take some deep breaths, sip his water, relax and listen.

In a calm voice he then gave the appropriate instructions, without rushing, without getting overly emotional, but still in a firm way where the player was taking everything on board – his attention was transfixed as Faheem was connecting with the young player.

It might seem simple but to see at close hand a Pakistan squash coach with such experience do this so impeccably was priceless.

The Enthusiastic Pakistan Squash Culture

What really grabbed my attention were the overwhelmingly friendly fellow attendee-coaches and players at the Punjab Squash Complex – the enthusiasm for the game was rejuvenated in me in a way I was not expecting and for which I am forever grateful!

And this was just an extension of the friendly nature of all the Pakistan people in general I met during the week who made me feel so welcome.

pakistan squash

The Punjab Squash Complex is an old-school centre with one show-court. For the most part, the veterans and more skilled players get to play there. Then there are three other training courts where strong players, both junior and senior, belt it out at a ferocious pace.

The five or six courts out the back are what impressed me the most though. These are concrete courts (walls and floors) that are packed every day with young kids who… just Love… the… game!

It was humbling.

Some of the kids were just starting out and some were already highly skilled.

What I witnessed made me think of what Daniel Coyle describes in his book, The Talent Code, how whatever skill is being developed, if the practitioner is in perfect, top-notch facilities then they are less likely to work as hard because they are already feeling comfortable and ‘arrived’.

pakistan squash

These kids at the Punjab Squash Complex work hard but, for them, it is just play – fun – with an eagerness to get good enough to play on the good courts.

The depth of talent in Pakistan squash is undeniable. If structures can be set up across the country, as well as utilizing talents like Fahim Gul together with some fresh new blood, I am sure they can return as a powerhouse in world squash.

Completing The Course And Moving On

On my return to Hong Kong, along with a written assignment, I was required to complete 40 hours of coaching national junior players. Thank you to Tony Choi as well as Dick Leung for allowing me to do so at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

pakistan squashAlso thanks to Chris Clark again for allowing me to ‘watch over his shoulder’ as well as participate in the coaching of some of his club players.

Amongst others, the idea of sometimes slowing things down to train a new skill or movement was reinforced for me here, as well as focusing on shot-basics of which even advanced players need reminding.

I’m happy to say I am now a qualified Level 2 squash coach with the Asian Squash Federation!

pakistan squashFor more photos, go to my Facebook page: Facebook.com/SquashFitnessTips

A Final Thought

After coaching and playing in Hong Kong for the past few years, I am currently in a transition period so I’m still unsure where I will be set up to settle down in the coming few years, although I’m keen to be part of a club with enthusiastic players that appreciate and value moment-to-moment passion for the game!

I will say this – whether you’re a coach or not, whatever your skill level, wherever you are in the world, I highly encourage you to try to experience different squash cultures, even if it’s just a weekend trip to another city within your own country.

However, traveling to other countries, when possible, will really open your eyes to the fact that squash is a worldwide sport with varying styles, personalities and approaches.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed it will make it into the Olympics in 2020, where it belongs.

Have fun & play your own game!
Shmick Mick

Falling In Love With The World Masters – ‘Failing’ The 7-Day Fitness Challenge!

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logoWhat a week of watching great squash played by nearly 800 players from over 50 countries. For example:

  • Omar Elborolossy (Egypt) master-classing the 35+
  • Craig Rowland (Australia) grinding out the 40+
  • Craig Van Der Wath (South Africa) smoothly gliding around the court in the 45+
  • Sarah Fitzgerald (Australia) still cracking the ball in the 45+
  • Sue Hiller’s (Australia) ruthlessly simple execution in the 50+
  • Brian Cook (Australia) skillfully winning the 65+
  • Peter Hill (Singapore) nearly toppling the giant, Brett Martin, in the 50+ semi-final
  • the 80+ guys putting on an astonishing 5-setter exhibition

suehillierOne of the biggest things I took away from the event is that using the excuse of…

“I’m too old!”

…as a way to stop your body from keeping fit and being able to move around well, either on or off court, is just that – an excuse.

The way some of these players of all ages were moving was inspiring, which leads to another big thing that was confirmed for me. That is, don’t confine your squash development to just your own country.

It’s a big world out there with lots of great advice and examples of different styles and approaches for you to soak up and find out what works for you.

From Little Kids Helping Out To Oldies Belting It Out!

The feel of the tournament was an extremely friendly vibe mixed in with top-quality squash.

malcolmThe guy who kick-started and drove the tournament through from conception to the actual week, Malcolm Kerr, said to me a couple of times beforehand that it’s his favourite event.

I hadn’t been involved with a World Masters’ tournament but now I think I understand his love for it.

It’s made up of so many different kinds of players & people who have traveled massive distances and sacrificed time, energy & money just to be there:

  • Former pros who have continued playing for years and still play at a phenomenal level
  • Former pros who had stopped playing but something sparked in them to take action toward achieving a specific goal
  • Club players who have never aspired to ‘reach the top’ and just play for the pure love of the game
  • New players who were playing their first ever tournament!
  • Friends & family who want to watch and drink and cheer!
  • Organizers & volunteers who want to be part of and help make a great event

Obviously the standard of professional tournaments, like the Hong Kong Open next month, is higher.

However the spectrum of different kinds of people is narrower.

Last week, there seemed to be a detachment and matured realization that squash is just a game yet at the same time there was still an obvious high-level competitive edge to the matches.

The David And Goliath Match

600_BrettMartin_PeterHill_WMasters14_GS9G7421One of my favorite matches was that of training partner, Peter Hill (former world #26) taking on Brett Martin (former world #2) in the semi-final of the 50+.

It was a tenacious fox trying to topple a giant!

I think most in the crowd – the packed crowd that saw just as many if not more spectators than during the illustrious Hong Kong Open – were expecting a 3-0 whitewash to Brett.

Peter had other plans.

After he essentially threw away the first game, we watched a supremely physically conditioned Peter break down an out-of-shape Brett.

But after being up 2 games to 1, Peter eventually lost in 5 with Brett’s determination & skill getting him through.

William Hosey played awesomely to eventually beat Brett in the final but I reckon he owes Peter a beer!

Gliding Around The Court Like A Gazelle

craigAnother great aspect of the tournament is meeting and watching great players you have never heard of.

For me, one of those was Craig Van Der Wath who reached somewhere around top 30 in the world as a professional.

His movement around the court was effortless – quite a pleasure to watch. It never looked like he was rushed.

Most players have at least some sort of up and down motion when they move around court – you can see their head bobbing up and down, to whatever degree, with each step they take. When Craig moves, it’s like his body is gliding on an even horizontal plane.

It’s probably because he has a neutral posture – his spine is impeccably straight with no discernible muscle imbalances.

To see his movement in person definitely offers another goal to work towards. And that’s not to mention the articulation in his wrist-action which gave his grip power & control.

What Dictates Squash Fitness Is Alignment – Not Age

brian cookI chatted with quite a few players who were over 60.

Each of them, despite their age, play squash regularly with no major injuries or obstacles to their physical movement.

The common thread was that they have stayed active consistently throughout their life which has prevented or minimised muscle imbalances in the form of chronic tension becoming a major issue.

If you stop exercising and stop being active, your body adapts and becomes used to not moving.

Usually when people stop moving, they do so in a passive way (as opposed to active relaxation) in postures that encourage dreaded muscle imbalances – like sitting at a computer all day or watching television for hours on end.

It’s inevitable that with repetitive hours of this the joints in your body will become misaligned.

The 2 results here will either be:

  1. You don’t do any physical exercise because you tell yourself ‘you’re too old’
  2. You do physical exercise in a frustratingly limited way which probably leads to injury

Even if it’s something simple & easy like what the 65+ champion, Brian Cook, was doing leading up to the tournament – stepping up and down on a single step for minutes on end… doing some kind of squash fitness workout (almost) every day is vital.

Squash Fitness Is A Grind

In terms of squash fitness being the difference between winning and losing, my obvious pick is that of the 40+ champion, Craig Rowland.

He doesn’t have amazing  shots where he destroys an opponent. He just hits a consistent line & length at a sustained fast pace.

His quarter-final was the first match that pushed him physically. Eventually though, his ability to maintain consistent pressure wore down his highly skilled and conditioned South African opponent.

craigrowlandHe faced another South African in the final, Zuko Kubukeli. The scores in each of the games didn’t reflect the rally-by-rally sea-saw of the match.

It could have gone either way.

The fact that Craig wore down the supremely fit Zuko says a lot about his conditioning for this tournament.

And after the final point, Craig’s reaction was yet another example of many others during the week where you could see how much the win meant.

Missing Some Great Matches

The tournament was split between 2 venues so I didn’t get to see a lot of the matches, like one of the 80+ round robin games which I’m told was phenomenal.

A packed crowd watched two guys over the age of 80 run around a squash court for 45 minutes in a 5-set thriller. They played crafty nick shots as well as extended rallies that had people watching on the edge of their seats.

There are many others that I didn’t get to watch and don’t have space to mention here.

That’s the thing about the World Masters – you have to be there to appreciate how cool it really is!

The 7-Day Fitness Challenge

On the final day I faltered with my 7-day squash fitness challenge! After the long week and final day I ended up socialising with some new friends I had made.

Two things I drew from this:

  1. I persisted with my squash fitness workout throughout the week in a way that I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t set the initial goal.
  2. Sometimes you don’t reach every goal you set – the important thing is the journey once you have set it, the process of keeping your mind focused as best you can, falling but getting back up, and being adaptable.

The next day I was back again making my body stronger and more pliable. And after being a part of the World Masters Championships, I now have something extra to work towards.

If you ever get the chance, check out the event – it’s awesome!

And, of course, keep yourself fit and ready so you can kick ass when the time comes 🙂

Have fun & play your own game!
Shmick Mick

(Images courtesy of WorldMastersSquash.com.hk)