New National Squash Champion Simon dedicates his win to his late dad

RACQUETS Fitness Centre players, Tom White, Oz Mustafa and Simon Martin, all competed in the National Racketball Championships 2016 at Edgbaston Priory in Birmingham last weekend – and Simon is now National Racketball Over 45s Champion 2016.

Simon Martin (left) receiving the winner’s prize from Mike Edwards, Head coach at Edgbaston Priory squash club & Squash England representative

Attracting over 200 players from all over the country and he Channel Islands, the tournament was played at the squash and tennis centre, recently in receipt of a £15 million refurbishment.  Tom, with his amazing racket skills, was battling with injury. He lost closely to last year’s’champion in the over 50s. Oz lost closely to the number two seed in five games.

“Simon had a good run and made it to the Over 45’s final,” reported Racquets coach and Simon’s wife, Sue Martin Downhill, “surprisingly after some heavy socialising and seemed to find some puff from somewhere to beat last year’s champion from Yorkshire, Mark Francis.”

“I am pleased to have come back from a hip resurfacing five years ago,” said a proud Simon, “to achieve another national title. It was 24 years ago when I won the Open Championships last time. I had a good draw and great support from the boys. It just goes to show that with good strength and conditioning work in the gym you can recover from major surgery and gain all your mobility and fitness back. I must thank the Racquets gym and massage team for their help with all our players, and would recommend anyone to play racketball whatever age or level as it’s very easy to play and a fun workout!

“I would like to dedicate this battle to my family, especially my late Dad who passed away in February this year. I wore my Cancer Research T-shirts throughout the tournament!”

Good luck to Racquets in the final of the Buckinghamshire racketball league finals this Saturday (16/07) being held at Aylesbury Squash and Tennis club. The club is looking to retain the team’s winning form from last year.