World Masters Game Single Event Summary

The Canadian contingent at the 2009 World Masters Games not only had a great time, but won 18 medals.

The list of individuals who won medals:
Anna KIRBYSON - WOMEN 40-44 C – Gold
Lorrie BAILDHAM - WOMEN 45-49 OPEN - Bronze
Stacy HALL - WOMEN 45-49 C – Gold
Laura RAMSAY - WOMEN 55-59 OPEN - Bronze
Sean HORTON – Men 40-44 B – Gold
Brian MCLEAN – Men 40-44 C – Gold
Bruce MADU – Men 40-44 C – Bronze
Tony SORSAK - MEN 50-54 C - Gold
Jay LUNDY - MEN 50-54 C - Silver
Peter BLOOD - MEN 50-54 C - Bronze
Rashid AZIZ - MEN 55-59 OPEN - Silver
Thomas BEDORE - MEN 55-59 OPEN – Bronze
Bob GRYNOCH - MEN 55-59 B – Gold
Gerry POULTON – Men 65-69 OPEN – Bronze
Casey FRANS – Men 65-69 C - Silver
Vinnie TAYLOR - MEN 70-74 OPEN – Bronze
Shaun PARSON - MEN 70-74 C – Bronze
Diarmuid SWAN - MEN 75-79 C – Silver

The Final Result Of the Jericho Squash Nomads

I report to you from a downtown internet bar after the award presentation Boat Cruise in stunning Sydney Harbour. After spanking my opponents to get into the finals of the Men's 50-54 C, I found myself getting spanked in the Gold medal round. 11-8, 11-8, 11-6. There's alot to be said for playing an unconventional game...it helps you win Gold...something I have to learn...however...had fun and learned a thing or two.

Rashid's Gold medal game in the men's 55-59 Open was closer...he was on the same court after me and so got to referee. Again, his opponent, Micheal (from Tasmania) played a gritty, slightly unconventional game as well. highly entertaining and lots of long, lung bursting rallies. Eventually Rashid fell in the fourth game. Overall difference across all games combined was only 6 points...11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9. But he still went down...certainly as a proud warrior.

Stacy competing in the women's 45-49 B was the only Nomad to win Gold as a result of a Round Robin that she absolutely dominated in.

Max (women's 35-39 B) played her best, but was unable to overcome the challenges in her category from Argentina and Montreal...however, she certainly wins the award for most stylish outfits...the Uraguayan Team was following her around hoping for a nod of attention from her.

So...we return with two Silvers and one Gold and a whole lot of great memories and stories to share with those who will listen....and the message is...PLAY....HAVE FUN....THAT'S ALL THERE IS!!

Your loyal scribe,
Jay

Source: Jay Lundy

Results Day 4!

Women's Day 4 Results

Women's 35-39 & 40-44 C Zulmira Brindley (AUS) defeated Anna Kirbyson (CAN) 3-2
Women's 45-49 Open Jo Morgan (AUS) defeated Lorrie Baildham (CAN) 3-0
Women's 45-49 B Sandra Bassett (CAN) defeated Shannon Anderson (AUS) 3-0
Women's 45-49 C Stacy Hall (CAN) defeated Jo Birtwistle (AUS) 3-0
Women's 50-54 B Pam Lewis (CAN) defeated Shirley Collins (AUS) 3-1
Women's 50-59 & 65-69 Laura Ramsay (CAN) defeated Jean Grainger (SFA) 3-0

Men's results for Day 4 were not online yet. I will add the men's results once the file is uploaded on the website

The Adventure Of The Squash Nomads Continues!

It's been a week now that we've experienced Aussie hospitality and competition from other countries as well including Argentina, Uraguay, Ireland, England and South Africa. The Aussie and Canadian squash contingencies are by far the largest.

Finally we are all getting full night sleeps without waking in the middle of the night and aimlessly filling time to make ourselves tired. I think we've sampled most of the beers either at courtside or out on the town. Waiters and watresses are a dying breed down here as everything is self serve.

All the venues for all the sports are quite spread out throughout Sydney and environs...traffic is uusually heavy and so we haven't seen anything during the days but the inside of the Thornleigh Squash Club. Lot's of great play...at all levels, regardless of age or ability...which is really the whole idea behind the Games. Last night I watched two 67 year olds go at it as if the winner would control the Western Hemisphere! They weren't dashing around the court, but they still had the finesse, the fluid swings and the shot selection. Very inspiring as I slowly march toward that age category.

Jericho has done well so far. Stacy Hall has won the Gold for women's C age 45-49. Rashid (Men's 55-59 Open) and Jay (Men's 50-54 C) both play for Gold tomorrow. Max (Women's 35-39 B) got knocked out of medal standings today but plays tomorrow one last time. Ian Humphries has been steadfast in his support, his driving and his picture taking. Will send some along right after this. So, tomorrow we'll know whether we bring home more gold or a mixture of precious medals.

Wish us well.

Cheers,

Jay

Source: Jay Lundy

Update from the World Masters Games

It's day 5 of the Masters Games and the smell of linament is getting stronger. The best part of the games is actually the inspiring older athletes who are showing that an active life can be sustained until the latter years - just at a whole different level. The poster athlete so far seems to be a 100 year old in the track and field: she has set several records including in the shot put. She is the only athlete in most of her events but I'd guess she'd take out any other competitors anyway.

In a city of so many millions it's a pretty special experience to see so many athletes around town proudly sporting the games ID cards and slightly tacky backpacks. Even at the Sydney opera on Monday night you could spot them despite the gussied up clothes and performance lighting.

My record at the games is now 3 wins and 2 losses with 1 match to go. I seem to be sitting in 3rd place now which suits me fine. Brian MacLean from the Evergreen Club hasn't dropped a match yet and I am thinking he might take it all if he wins his match on Thursday.
Tommorrow is the final day for singles play with the medal ceremonies and harbour cruise sheduled for the evening. It's been a lot of fun so far with really good spirited squash -the next games are set for Turin, Italy in 4 years. Lots of folks here are thinking about going.

Source: Bruce Madu

Canadian Squash players looking to bring some hardware back to Canada!

Going for Gold
Men's 55-59 Open - Rashid Aziz (CAN), defeated Tom Bediore (CAN), 3/1
Men's 40-44 B - Sean Horton (CAN), defeated Barry Davis (AUS) 3/0
Men's 50-54 C - Jay Lundy (CAN), defeated Graham Green (AUS) 3/0
Men's 50-54 C - Peter Blood (CAN), defeated fellow Canadian Tony Sorzak 3/0

Note: Jay Lundy and and Peter Blood will now be facing each other for the gold!

Men's 40-44 C -Brian McLean, defeated Grant Hodson (AUS) 3/0
Men's 65-69 C - Casey Frans, defeated Lewis Price (AUS) 3/0

Going for Bronze
Following is lost to Rashid Aziz in the Men's 55-59 Open, Tom Bedore will be playing for the bronze medal
Following is lost to Peter Blood in the Men's 50-54 C, Tony Sorsak will be playing for the bronze medal
Men's 65-69 Open - Gerry Poulton, lost 10-8 in the 5th to Tony Martin (SA)
Women's 45-49 Open -Laurie Baildham, lost 3/0 to Jo Morgan (AUS)

Women's 55-59 & 65-69 Open - Laura Ramsay won today over Jean Grainger

Other results
Men's 65-69 Open - Warren Longpre lost to Ted Vane (AUS) 3/0
Men's 40-44 B - Christopher Guiffre lost to Sebastian Fontana (URU) 3/0
Mens 40-44 C -Bruce Madu defeated Nick Ames (AUS) 3/0

Source: Gerry Poulton

World Masters Games 2009 Day 3 Results

Men's Day 3 Results

Men's 40-44 B Sean Horton (CAN) defeated Christopher Giuffre (CAN) 3-0
Men's 40-44 C Brian McLean (CAN) defeated Richie Davis (AUS) 3-0
Men's 50-54 Open Kelvin Smith (AUS) defeated Ian Bell (CAN) 3-1
Men's 50-54 Open Manuel Zacharias (AUS) defeated Rob Wilcox (CAN) 3-0
Men's 55-59 Open Thomas Bedore (CAN) defeated Phil Grant (AUS) 3-2
Men's 55-59 Open Rashid Aziz (CAN) defeated Mark Webster (AUS) 3-0
Men's 55-59 Open Gerald Aronstan (AUS) defeated Gary Helmkay (CAN) 3-0
Men's 55-59 B Bob Grynoch (CAN) defeated Jerry Cuthbertson (AUS) 3-1
Men's 55-59 C Larry Lawrence (CAN) defeated George Dunatov (AUS) 3-0
Men's 55-59 C Richard Woodridge (AUS) defeated Frank Webster (CAN) 3-0
Men's 60-64 C George Pugh (CAN) defeated Len Goodfellow (AUS) 3-2
Men's 65-69 C Reuben Bates (AUS) defeated Hugh Burgess (CAN) 3-2
Men's 70-74 C David Wenneborn (AUST) defeated Shuan Parsons (CAN) 3-0

Women Results

Women's 35-39 B Silvina Car (ARG) defeated Max Hakh (CAN) 3-0
Women's 35-39 & 40-44 C Anna Kirbyson (CAN) defeated Pauline Jackwitz (AUS) 3-0
Women's 65-69 B, 70 C & 70 B Berwyn Collings (AUS) defeated Verna Dalgleish (CAN) 3-1