Radar gun challenges on both sides of the Atlantic as Cam Pilley’s 176mph record comes under fire
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad Correspondent
Some amazing events are taking place all over the planet on World Squash Day – the theme of which is Go For It! – this Saturday (October 18th).
Key events being staged provide a link between showcasing the world’s leading players and club-level activities supporting the grass-roots of the game.
Saturday is also finals day of the Delaware Investments US Open in Philadelphia, where leading professionals will take part in a World Squash Day Radar Gun Challenge.
Cameron Pilley, the world number 22 from Australia, holds the world record with a ball speed of 176 miles per hour.
A simultaneous radar gun challenge will also be taking place in England during the WSD Doubles competition at The Mote Squash Club in Maidstone, Kent.
One of the competitors, English player Robert Downer, holds a personal best speed of 171 miles per hour, recorded at the Kent Open two years ago.
The Mote event is being staged by WSD Founder Alan Thatcher to jointly promote doubles play and eye safety in squash.
Among the highlights of other events taking place, squash enthusiasts in Canberra will congregate at Australia’s Parliament House for a rally before dispersing to squash clubs all over the city to hold open days designed to attract new people to the sport.
In Poland, squash players are invited to upload “selfies” of themselves playing in World Squash Day events to win prizes.
The most daunting challenge faces two squash enthusiasts in Lichfield, England. Lichfield club chairman James Roberts and his team-mate Mark Davey will be attempting to play seven matches at seven clubs in seven hours.
They were inspired by a global challenge undertaken last year by former world champion Peter Nicol and his friend and business partner Tim Garner, who played seven matches on seven continents in seven days to support the sport’s Olympic bid.
Further details from: www.worldsquashday.net
Â