Australia’s Geoff Davenport and England’s Ann Manley re-wrote WSF World Masters Squash Championships history in Amsterdam with landmark victories to become the most decorated World Masters players of all time in front of packed crowds at the Frans Otten Stadion.
Those victories weren’t the only to tumble this week in Amsterdam, with this year’s championships setting a participation record after 1070 players took part.
Top seed Davenport set a new all-time record by claiming a seventh world championship title, winning the 65+ final 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 against South Africa’s Pierr Roodt.
“I was so nervous this morning, the most nervous I’ve ever been,” said 66-year-old Davenport. “I wanted to win for all the kids I coach back home in Sydney because they’ve been so excited.
“The record might not last long, but it’s nice to be the first to hold the record outright.”
Davenport moves one title ahead of compatriot Brian Cook and South Africa’s Craig van der Wath. Top seed Cook was defeated in the 75+ semi-finals by England’s Barry Featherstone on Wednesday, but Featherstone could not capitalise, with the Englishman falling to compatriot Larry Grover, who secured a 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9 victory.
Meanwhile, 75+ defending champion Manley set a new women’s landmark with her sixth World Masters crown. She had beaten Australia’s Margaret Hunt-Kemp in each of the last three tournaments and once again came out on top in Amsterdam in straight games.
“Myself and Margaret first met in 1996 when we had an England over-40s tour to South Africa,” revealed Manley. “We know each other’s games very well but that didn’t seem to help today! She’s very tricky and it was hard work, but I’m thrilled. Hopefully my body will hold up and I can defend the title in two years.”
The Dutch crowd was denied an Anjema family double as father Robert Jan was defeated in four games by Finland’s Kale Leskinen in the 70+ final. Son Laurens-Jan, the former world No.9, cushioned the blow by winning a lengthy 40+ final 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7 against compatriot Piedro Schweertman.
“It started out as a bit of a joke, me and my father playing this tournament together, but the night before the final you suddenly realise ‘Wow, I could become world champion tomorrow!’” said Laurens-Jan. “In 2018 [when he won the 35+ trophy in Charlottesville] it was a nice surprise, but this time there was more pressure.”
Mexico’s unseeded Marcos Mendez has been the surprise package of the tournament and completed his dream run with yet another comprehensive victory, with his 11-1, 11-2, 11-2 win over Nicholas Staunton meaning he won the 50+ championship without dropping a single game across his seven matches.
Mendez coaches World No.21 Leonel Cardenas back home and has a background in American hardball squash. He revealed: “When I converted to soft ball squash 20 years ago, I started from zero. I now know a lot more about this game and this was a dream for me to demonstrate to myself that I could do it.”
Former PSA world top 20 players Nicolette Fernandes of Guyana and Samantha Teran of Mexico were reunited in the women’s 40+ final on the glass court, with top seed Fernandes winning it 11-6, 11-4, 12-10.
Two more former pros, South Africa’s Lizelle Muller and England’s Lauren Kinsey-Briggs, took the women’s 35+ and 45+ titles respectively. Kinsey-Briggs, who defeated Singapore’s Joannah Yue in three games, said: “I love this game and I really realise how much I love it when I stop. The enjoyment I have for it is immense. It’s so inspiring being here.”
Former World No.32 Peter Hill of Singapore showcased his legendary box of tricks in a 12-10, 11-4, 8-11, 11-1 victory over Ireland’s four-time World Masters winner Willie Hosey. Hill said: “When I signed up to play here, I said to myself, ‘I’m coming to win.’ There’s a lot at stake and I’m so glad I pushed through.”
Stylish Swede Christian Drakenberg couldn’t contain his emotions after his straight-games 45+ victory over England’s James Bowden. The seven-time national champion is still representing Sweden in European and World Team Championships and now has two World Masters trophies.
He said: “People don’t often see my emotions because I’m quite calm, but there is lots going on inside. I’ve been playing all my life. Of course I love my wife and kids, but squash is my life. I just love being here and I will be coming back as long as I can. The guys here in their 80s are my heroes. I can hopefully be like them in a few years!”
There were emotions aplenty too from 65+ women’s champion Mary Sceney as she was engulfed by her Irish supporters after beating Wales’ Jill Campion 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7. Three-time winner Sceney revealed: “This is probably my swansong in the Masters, so I really wanted to win this one.”
Karen Meakins of Barbados defended her 50+ title by overcoming South Africa’s Linda Shannon in straight games, and Australia’s Susan Hillier won her third World Masters with 60+ victory over Scotland’s Sue Strachan. Another Scot, Pauline Douglas, was competing in her eighth World Masters and got a third title win by beating Aussie Gaye Mitchell 11-4, 16-14, 11-9. Canada’s Lauren Wagner won a North American duel with USA’s Hope Prockop 11-5, 11-9, 12-10.
Two Canadians lined up in the final of the oldest age category, the men’s 80+. Second seed Gerald Poulton beat old friend Howard Armitage 14-12, 4-11, 11-9, 11-6. “It’s a wonderful friendship,” said Poulton. “I must have been to upwards of 20 World Masters and World Masters Games etc and I love meeting the same people and new people. It’s what squash is all about.”
Belgian hopes unfortunately disappeared when men’s 55+ finalist Gilles Roger sustained a nasty Achilles injury, having won the first game 11-2 against German Predi Fritsche.
The night’s final match was a cracker, with home favourite Omar Abdel Meguid of Egypt, who coaches at the Frans Otten Stadion and captains their Eredivisie team, outlasting Ireland’s Arthur Gaskin in the men’s 35+ final 17-15, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6.
There were 15 different nationalities amongst the 19 title winners in Amsterdam, with 1070 competitors taking part, breaking the record of 951 set at the 2016 World Masters in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Today also saw England retain their Nations Cup title and Wales capture the Small Nations Cup.
Click here to view all the results from finals day.
The 2024 WSF World Masters Squash Championships took place at the Frans Otten Stadion from 15-22 August. Find out more about the championships at wsfworldmasters2024.nl
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